Matcha Pizza Recipe

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I’m bringing you something truly special—Matcha Pizza! Yes, you heard that right. Imagine the fusion of Japanese sophistication and Italian comfort food, all in one delightful bite.

How to make Matcha Pizza

Matcha Pizza is a unique fusion dish that combines traditional pizza with the distinct flavor of matcha, a finely ground green tea powder from Japan.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp matcha powder (culinary grade)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ¾ cup warm water
• 1 packet (2 ½ tsp) active dry yeast

For the Sauce (Choose Based on Flavor):

• Savory Option: ½ cup tomato sauce or pesto
• Sweet Option (if making dessert pizza): ¼ cup cream cheese (softened at room temperature)
• 2 tbsp matcha bean paste (also called “anko,” or use Nutella for variety)

For the Toppings

• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh spinach leaves
• Cherry tomatoes (halved)
• Sliced mushrooms
• Optional: grilled chicken or shrimp
• Shiratama (mochi)
• Fresh fruits (e.g., strawberries, bananas, or blueberries)
• Drizzle of honey or brown sugar syrup
• Optional: whipped cream or matcha powder for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Dough

1. In a small bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. While the yeast activates, in a large mixing bowl, combine flour, matcha powder, and salt.
3. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Mix with a spoon until the dough begins to come together.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8–10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it with a cloth, and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce and Toppings

1. For savory options: Prepare your sauce and chop your vegetables, meats, or seafood.
2. For sweet options: Use softened cream cheese or matcha paste as the base.

Step 3: Assemble the Pizza

1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) or the highest safe temperature for your oven. If you have a pizza stone, place it inside to heat up.
2. Roll out your dough or stretch it into your preferred pizza shape. If desired, keep the edges slightly thicker for a “crust.”
3. Spread your sauce evenly across the dough.
4. Savory: Use tomato sauce or pesto.
5. Sweet: Spread cream cheese or matcha bean paste.
6. Apply your toppings generously. Start with cheese (for savory) and layer on vegetables, proteins, or fruits.

Step 4: Bake the Pizza

1. Carefully transfer the pizza to your preheated pizza stone or baking sheet.
2. Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the crust turns golden-brown and the cheese (if using) is melted and bubbly. For sweet pizza, check around the 8-minute mark to prevent overbaking.

Step 5: Add Finishing Touches

1. For savory pizza: Sprinkle some extra matcha on the crust or drizzle olive oil before serving.
2. For sweet pizza: Dust powdered sugar or matcha powder on top, and drizzle honey or syrup (if desired).

Tips for the Perfect Matcha Pizza

• Matcha Flavor Intensity: If you’re a true matcha lover, feel free to slightly increase the amount of matcha powder in the dough or sprinkle it onto the finished product for an extra earthy touch.
• Experiment with Toppings: Don’t be afraid to mix Japanese ingredients (like shiratama or azuki beans) with Western-style toppings to create your own version of fusion pizza!
• Use a Pizza Stone: A hot pizza stone ensures that your crust gets that perfect crunch on the bottom.
• Dessert Pizza Variation: Consider adding ice cream or sweet whipped cream as a topping just before serving to elevate your dessert pizza.
• Storage: Leftover pizza keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven to maintain crispness.

What to serve with

Matcha pizza is such a unique and versatile dish that whether you’re serving it savory or sweet, it deserves carefully chosen accompaniments to enhance the overall dining experience.

1. Drinks

• Green Tea or Matcha Latte: Stick with the theme! A lightly brewed hot or iced green tea pairs beautifully with the earthiness of matcha pizza. If you want a creamier option, serve a matcha latte sweetened to taste with honey.
• Sparkling Water with Lemon or Mint: A clean, crisp sparkling water refreshes the palate and balances bold flavors.
• Sake: A dry sake can enhance the umami in pizza toppings, especially when using ingredients like cheese, mushrooms, or seafood.
• Light White Wine: Think Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio—they’re bright and light enough to complement the pizza without overpowering it.

2. Appetizers

• Edamame: Lightly salted steamed edamame is simple, protein-packed, and a great way to start the meal.
• Seaweed Salad: A refreshing seaweed salad with sesame dressing matches the Japanese-inspired flavors of the matcha.
• Caprese Salad with a Twist: Add a hint of matcha powder to the balsamic vinaigrette to give this classic Italian salad a fusion flair.
• Gyoza (Japanese Dumplings): Lightly pan-fried vegetable or shrimp gyoza can serve as a delicious appetizer that complements a savory matcha pizza.

3. Side Dishes

• Miso Soup: A warm bowl of miso soup is comforting and enhances any Japanese-inspired dish.
• Roasted Vegetables with Sesame: Lightly roasted vegetables (like zucchini or eggplant) drizzled with sesame oil provide an earthy counterpart to the pizza.
• Matcha Garlic Bread: Use a matcha-infused garlic butter as a spread on baguette slices for a side that mirrors the flavors of the pizza crust.

4. Dessert

• Yuzu Cheesecake: A tart and creamy yuzu-flavored dessert is a perfect palate cleanser.
• Mochi Ice Cream: Little balls of chewy mochi filled with ice cream (perhaps matcha, vanilla, or red bean flavor) are light, fun, and thematic.
• Dorayaki (Japanese Pancakes): These sweet pancakes filled with azuki bean paste complement the Japanese element of the dish without being too heavy.

Ingredients Substitutes

Making matcha pizza is an exciting culinary endeavor, but sometimes you may need to tweak the recipe based on availability, dietary preferences, or specific flavor preferences.

1. Substitutes for the Dough Ingredients

All-Purpose Flour

• Whole Wheat Flour: For a healthier crust, you can replace all or half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Note that this may result in a denser texture.
• Gluten-Free Flour: If you’re avoiding gluten, choose a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend designed for baking to ensure the dough holds together well. Add 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t include it.
• Almond or Coconut Flour: These are lower-carb options, but they don’t behave like regular flour, so you’ll need to mix them with a binding flour like tapioca or a gluten-free blend.

Matcha Powder (Culinary Grade)

• Spirulina Powder: For a healthy green color, spirulina (a superfood algae powder) can substitute matcha, although the flavor will be different.
• Green Tea Powder: If matcha is unavailable, you can try finely ground green tea powder, though it may have a milder flavor.
• Spinach Puree: For a subtle green touch in the dough, you can add 1–2 tablespoons of spinach puree, though it won’t deliver the matcha’s unique taste.

Yeast

• Baking Powder and Baking Soda: If you don’t have yeast, use a combination of 2 teaspoons of baking powder and ½ teaspoon of baking soda for a quick dough without proofing.
• Sourdough Starter: If you have sourdough on hand, you can use it to replace yeast. Use about ½ cup of active starter and reduce the flour and water proportions slightly.

Warm Water

• Milk (Regular or Dairy-Free): For extra tenderness in the crust, warm milk can be used in place of water. Almond, soy, or oat milk works well for a dairy-free option.

Sugar (for Yeast Activation)

• Honey or Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener works just as effectively to feed the yeast.
• Coconut Sugar or Agave Syrup: These are great alternatives for refined sugar.

Olive Oil

• Avocado Oil: A neutral-tasting oil with similar fat content to olive oil, avocado oil can work as a direct substitute.
• Butter or Ghee: Melted butter or ghee can replace olive oil for a richer flavor.

2. Substitutes for the Sauce Ingredients

Tomato Sauce (for savory pizza)

• Pesto: For a creamier, herbaceous base, basil pesto works beautifully as a sauce alternative.
• White Garlic Sauce: A simple garlic cream sauce can serve as a flavorful option for those looking to avoid tomatoes.
• Hummus: For a totally different experience, use a light layer of hummus as the base—it’s creamy and brings plenty of flavor.

Cream Cheese (for sweet pizza)

• Mascarpone Cheese: This Italian cream cheese is slightly sweeter and works wonderfully for dessert pizzas.
• Greek Yogurt: A healthier alternative, Greek yogurt can be used as the base for a sweet pizza. Mix with a little honey to balance the tartness.
• Coconut Whipped Cream: For a dairy-free option, coconut cream can be whipped into a luscious topping for the sweet pizza base.

Matcha Bean Paste (for sweet pizza sauce)

• Nutella or Chocolate Spread: For a sweeter and chocolatey dessert base, Nutella works as a great substitute.
• Almond Butter or Peanut Butter: For a nuttier flavor, use almond or peanut butter sweetened with honey.
• Fruit Preserves: Strawberry, peach, or blueberry preserves can work as a sweet and colorful alternative.

Final Thoughts

When serving Matcha Pizza, it’s all about highlighting its dynamic flavors—whether you’ve made a savory version with umami ingredients or a dessert masterpiece.

More Pizza Recipes:

• Homemade Pizza Hut Matcha Pizza Recipe