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    Home » Breakfast

    Matcha Scones

    Published: Mar 31, 2022 · Modified: Mar 1, 2023 by Samantha Ensinger · 10 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    healthy matcha scones on parchment paper.

    These gluten-free and vegan matcha scones are so easy to make. They have the best green tea flavor and simple, delicious glaze that pairs wonderfully. These scones have the perfect crumbly texture that melts in your mouth every time you take a bite. If you love matcha, you will love this scone recipe!

    multiple green matcha scones on parchment paper, topped with vanilla glaze.

    If you've never tried matcha before, I urge you to try these scones! Matcha has a lovely green tea flavor and makes for fun and colorful baking in the spring. They are perfect as a Saint Patrick's Day dessert! These scones have just the right amount of sweetness so the authentic matcha flavor can shine through.

    If you love baking with matcha, you have to give these matcha white chocolate cookies a try sometime, too!

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love These Scones
    • Ingredient Notes
    • How to Make Matcha Scones
    • Glazing The Scones
    • Expert Baking Tips
    • Flavor Variations
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storing & Freezing
    • More Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Recipe

    Why You'll Love These Scones

    • Best matcha scone recipe - I argue that this is the best matcha scone recipe because of how easy it is to make and how delicious the scones taste. Plus, they're healthier than other scone recipes!
    • Simple, healthy ingredients - You need less than 10 ingredients to make these scones. All the ingredients are healthy and plant-based.
    • Vegan and gluten-free - Lots of scone recipes are packed with sugar, butter, and cream, but these matcha scones are completely vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
    • Easy to make - Even beginners can make these scones with no problem. You only need one bowl to mix the dough. No mixer is necessary!
    • Green tea flavor - These scones have such a delicious green tea flavor from matcha powder. You will be surprised at how delicious the tea flavor is when paired with the sweet glaze. You can impress your friends with such a unique treat!

    Ingredient Notes

    Because these scones are so easy to make, you only need a few ingredients.

    all ingredients to make the scones, prepared for the recipe in small bowls.

    Here are some helpful notes on some of the key ingredients, including recommendations for substitutions you can make. Remember to see the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and quantities.

    • Gluten-Free Flour - I recommend using gluten-free 1:1 flour with xanthan gum in the ingredients list. If your gluten-free flour blend does not have xanthan gum, you will need to add it yourself. If you are not gluten-free, you can use all-purpose flour instead. Do not use coconut flour or almond flour in this recipe.
    • Matcha Powder - Culinary-grade matcha powder is the best for baking. I use Jade Leaf matcha powder since it is easy to find at Walmart and other stores.
    • Coconut Oil - Make sure to use melted coconut oil in the scone recipe. If you do not have coconut oil, you can use canola oil, vegetable oil, or olive oil.
    • Maple Syrup - Be sure you use 100% pure maple syrup to sweeten the scones. You can replace the maple syrup with honey if you aren't vegan.
    • Plant Milk - Any unsweetened plant milk should work. I prefer to use unsweetened almond milk, but coconut milk, cashew milk, and soy milk are acceptable alternatives. Use what you have on hand.
    • Powdered Sugar - If you're vegan, make sure to use vegan powdered sugar for the glaze. Wholesome has organic powdered sugar that is vegan and gluten-free.
    • White Chocolate - This is an optional ingredient. You can mix in vegan white chocolate chips if you want to make white chocolate matcha scones.

    How to Make Matcha Scones

    It only takes 10 minutes to make the dough for the scones. Start by preheating the oven to 350 F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set it aside while you make the dough.

    STEP 1: Add the gluten-free flour, baking soda, matcha powder, and salt to a large mixing bowl. Stir the ingredients together until they are evenly combined.

    STEP 2: Next, add the melted coconut oil, milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Use a large spoon to mix the ingredients together until a thick dough forms. It will be clumpy and damp, like the texture of wet sand. If you want to add vegan white chocolate chips, gently fold them into the dough.

    a collage of four images depicting how to mix the dry ingredients, add the wet ingredients, and form the dough into a ball.

    STEP 3: Use your clean hands to form the dough into a ball. If the dough is too crumbly to form, add one more tablespoon of plant milk until it is just wet enough to hold together.

    STEP 4: Transfer the ball of dough to the prepared baking sheet and flatten it into a round disc shape, about 8-inches across. You can use your hands for this (that is what I did), but you can also use a rolling pin if it is easier for you. Make sure the edges are even and there are no cracks in the dough.

    a collage of four images showing how to flatten the dough into a round disc, cut the scones into triangles, and bake the scones.

    STEP 5: Use a knife or a pizza cutter to cut the dough into 8 triangles, just like cutting a pizza or pie. Make sure they are even in size so they bake properly. Once cut, spread the triangles 1-2 inches apart on the baking sheet.

    STEP 6: Bake the matcha scones for 14-18 minutes. They should rise slightly and become more firm around the edges. Be careful not to overbake them! Once they are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.

    TIP: Slightly underbake the scones and let them finish baking on the tray as they cool. This ensures they don't become too dry or hard from baking too long in the oven.

    Glazing The Scones

    While you are waiting for the matcha scones to cool, you can make the glaze. Be sure the scones are completely cool before adding the glaze on top of them.

    STEP 1: Add vegan confectioner's sugar to a bowl with one tablespoon of plant milk. You can also use water instead of milk. Stir the mixture until a smooth, creamy glaze forms and all the sugar dissolves.

    STEP 2: If necessary, adjust the consistency of the glaze by adding slightly more confectioner's sugar to make the glaze thicker, or add more plant milk one teaspoon at a time to make the glaze thinner. It should be thin enough to drizzle off a spoon, but not too runny or it will run off the scones and make a mess.

    a collage of four images, showing how to mix the glaze and drizzle the glaze over the baked scones.

    STEP 3: Use a spoon to drizzle the glaze on top of each scone in a zig-zag motion to create pretty stripes of frosting. If you don't like the striped look, you can use the back of a spoon to spread the glaze over the scones in an even layer.

    STEP 4: Repeat the glazing process until all the scones have been glazed and you are out of frosting. Let the glaze set up for a few minutes to harden, then enjoy!

    Expert Baking Tips

    • Properly measure the gluten-free flour - It is very important to measure the gluten-free flour properly, or the scones will be very dry and the dough will be crumbly and hard to work with. Use a baking scale to weigh the gluten-free flour for best results, or use the spoon and level method. Gently sprinkle the flour into a measuring cup with a spoon, being careful not to pack the flour. Level the top of the measuring cup with the flat edge of a knife. This is how to properly measure flour.
    • Don't overmix the dough - Be careful not to overmix the dough for the matcha scones, or they can become tough and hard. Mix until the ingredients are just combined. You should not go overboard on the mixing!
    • Slightly underbake the scones - For softer scones, slightly underbake them (14-15 minutes in the oven) and let them finish baking as they cool on the baking sheet. You want to avoid baking them too long or they can be dense and dry.
    • Let the scones cool before glazing - Make sure you allow the scones to cool completely before adding the glaze, or else the glaze will melt and run off the scones, creating a mess to clean up. To cool the scones faster, place them in the fridge after they sit on the baking tray for a few minutes.
    a scone with a bite missing is leaning against another matcha scone, showing the texture inside.

    Flavor Variations

    These scones are super delicious when you make them "plain," but here are a few different ways to make the scones if you want to switch things up for next time:

    • Matcha Almond Scones - Replace the vanilla extract with almond extract in the dough. Then replace the plant milk in the glaze with almond extra for the best matcha almond scones!
    • Matcha Chocolate Scones - Add ⅓ to ½ cup of your favorite chocolate chips to the dough before rolling it into a ball. White chocolate is a delicious flavor to pair with matcha, or you can use dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips.
    • Matcha Cranberry Scones - Fold in ½ cup of dried cranberries into the dough (unsweetened cranberries are best).

    If you're looking for different desserts with vibrant flavors, try these raspberry white chocolate cookies or this blackberry lemon bread. Both recipes are so delicious!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do these taste like Starbucks matcha scones?

    Starbucks Japan released matcha scones in 2017, but I haven't had a chance to try them. I think these scones are slightly denser than the Starbucks matcha scones, and they are made with healthier ingredients than Starbucks.

    Are scones vegan?

    Traditionally, scones are not vegan, but these healthy matcha scones are completely vegan and gluten-free.

    How many calories are in a matcha scone?

    There are about 254 calories in one matcha scone when you make 8 scones.

    Are these matcha scones healthy?

    Yes, these matcha scones are healthy and made with plant-based ingredients. They are naturally sweetened with maple syrup and do not contain gluten, eggs, or dairy.

    a scone with white chocolate glaze drizzle on top. The scone is sitting on parchment paper on a marble surface.

    Storing & Freezing

    Store the scones in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days. This keeps them from drying out too much. You can heat the scones in the microwave for a few seconds if you want to enjoy a warm, soft scone.

    Can I freeze scones?

    These scones are most enjoyable when they are fresh, but you can freeze the scones in an airtight container to keep for 2-3 months in the freezer. Place parchment paper between each layer of scones so the glaze does not stick them together. Allow the scones to thaw at room temperature for a few hours before enjoying them again.

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    Did you make these gluten-free matcha scones? Please leave a rating and review below! I would love for you to post a photo on Instagram and tag me so I can share it on my stories. To keep up with the latest recipes, please follow me on Pinterest and join my email list for exclusive content delivered to your inbox every week.

    Recipe

    green matcha scones on parchment paper with vanilla glaze.

    Matcha Scones

    Samantha Ensinger
    These healthy matcha scones are vegan, gluten-free, and super easy to make. They have a delicious glaze that compliments the green tea flavor, and the texture is perfectly crumbly to melt in your mouth every time you take a bite. Yum!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Breakfast, Dessert
    Cuisine American, Japanese
    Servings 8 scones
    Calories 254 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Large Mixing Bowl
    • 1 Baking Sheet
    • Parchment Paper

    Ingredients
      

    Gluten-Free Matcha Scones

    • 2 cups gluten-free 1:1 flour with xanthan gum
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 2 tablespoons matcha powder I use Jade Leaf culinary grade
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil
    • 5 tablespoons unsweetened plant milk
    • ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or almond extract
    • ⅓ cup vegan white chocolate chips optional

    Glaze

    • ½ cup vegan confectioner's sugar
    • 1-2 tablespoons unsweetened plant milk or water

    Instructions
     

    Making the Scones

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
    • In a large mixing bowl, stir together the gluten-free flour, baking powder, matcha powder, and salt until evenly combined.
      2 cups gluten-free 1:1 flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 2 tablespoons matcha powder, ½ teaspoon salt
    • Add the melted coconut oil, plant milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Stir until a thick, crumbly mixture forms. It should have the texture of wet, clumpy sand. If desired, fold in white chocolate chips.
      3 tablespoons melted coconut oil, 5 tablespoons unsweetened plant milk, ⅓ cup pure maple syrup, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ⅓ cup vegan white chocolate chips
    • Use your clean hands to form the dough into one large ball. If it is too crumbly, add an additional 1-2 tablespoons of plant milk until it is just wet enough to form a ball. Try not to overwork the dough.
    • Place the ball of dough on the prepared baking sheet and use your hands to flatten it into an 8-inch circle. You may also use a rolling pin if it is easier.
    • Use a knife to cut the circle of dough into 8 evenly sized triangles. (Think of cutting it like a pizza or pie). Space the triangles 1-2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
    • Bake the scones for 14-18 minutes or until they have risen slightly and have firm edges. Remove them from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet. Then transfer to a cooling rack while you make the glaze.

    Making the Glaze

    • In a small to medium bowl, stir together the vegan confectioner's sugar with 1 tablespoon of plant milk. Adjust the consistency as necessary by adding more sugar to make it thicker, or more milk to make it thinner. The glaze should be thin enough to drizzle off a spoon, but not runny.
      ½ cup vegan confectioner's sugar, 1-2 tablespoons unsweetened plant milk
    • Once the scones are completely cool, use a spoon to drizzle the icing over the top of the scones. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Store the scones in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days.
    Make sure you measure your flour properly, or the scones will be too dry and crumbly. Use the spoon and level method or use a baking scale to ensure accurate measurements. See the blog post for more helpful tips for making the scones.
    You can replace the coconut oil with canola oil, vegetable oil, or olive oil if necessary.
    You can replace the maple syrup with honey if you are not vegan.
    Any unsweetened plant milk works in this recipe. I use almond milk most often.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Autumn says

      March 31, 2022 at 11:47 pm

      5 stars
      I made these matcha scones today and they were so good! I really like the texture. They’re dense and a little bit crumbly (like scones should be in my opinion) but they really do melt in your mouth. The glaze was the perfect touch and my friends were so impressed I made them!! They look so fancy. Thanks for the matcha recipe!

      Reply
    2. Stephanie says

      April 02, 2022 at 11:40 am

      5 stars
      So happy to find a scone recipe under 30 minutes and bonus that it is not only vegan but gluten free!!! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe with us, will be making it asap!

      Reply
    3. Emily says

      April 02, 2022 at 1:18 pm

      5 stars
      I couldn't believe how easy these were to make! So delicious and perfect for brunch!

      Reply
    4. Nancy says

      April 02, 2022 at 1:37 pm

      5 stars
      I really like the texture and the balance of matcha. I will make this again for sure!

      Reply
    5. Katie says

      April 02, 2022 at 9:21 pm

      5 stars
      I love sweet recipes like this that use matcha! Such a perfect way to get a nutrition and flavor boost. I will 100% be making these scones again! Very soon!!

      Reply
    6. Shilpa says

      April 03, 2022 at 7:17 am

      5 stars
      These matcha scones look incredibly delicious! And they are so easy to make and healthy. Absolutely loved it!

      Reply
    7. Anna - Vegnfit says

      April 03, 2022 at 2:35 pm

      5 stars
      Not only delicious, but beautiful too. Those cute matcha scones turned out just perfect.

      Reply
    8. Michelle says

      April 06, 2022 at 1:34 am

      5 stars
      I've been obsessed with baking with matcha lately and these scones are so fun! Thanks for sharing the recipe 🙂

      Reply
    9. Heather says

      April 07, 2022 at 11:43 pm

      Can I use olive oil instead of coconut oil? I have dietary issues.

      Reply
      • Samantha Ensinger says

        April 07, 2022 at 11:44 pm

        Hi Heather! Yes, you should be fine to use olive oil. Vegetable oil and canola oil should be okay too. Let me know how they turn out!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Samantha! I created Savor The Spoonful during my sophomore year of college with the goal of sharing dietary-friendly recipes that are truly delicious. I'm passionate about inspiring others to live a life without food rules and dieting. That means enjoying desserts like these, and having fun while doing so. Learn more about me.

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