If this is the first time you have ever heard of matcha frog donuts, you are not the only one. Unless you were an avid user of TikTok around the COVID times in 2020, you might have missed them.
If you haven’t heard about matcha frog donuts, they are donuts covered in matcha and white chocolate glaze, and made to look like frogs. In this article, we have collated information about matcha and how the frog donuts started. We will also share our favorite recipe for matcha frog donuts.
What is matcha?
You might have heard of matcha before, but perhaps you are not exactly sure what it is. Matcha is powdered tea made from the tea plant Camellia sinensis. Tea grown for matcha is mainly grown in two regions in Japan, Uji in Kyoto and Nishio in the Aichi prefecture.
Instead of drinking tea that has been infused with hot water, you are drinking the actual leaves that have been finely powdered and made into a solution.
Matcha has become popular in recent years because of its health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants called polyphenols that might protect against heart disease and cancer and reduce blood pressure.
Matcha has a very strong taste, so sometimes it might be sweetened with ingredients such as sugar or powdered milk, or both. Tea experts recommend matcha is drunk without sweeteners. They also emphasize that quality is key. Pure matcha is expensive, so look out for low price tags as it can mean the matcha is not pure.
For more information about the potential health benefits of matcha, we recommend this article from Healthline.
Where did matcha frog donuts come from?
Matcha donuts, without frogs, are a Japanese variation of the old favorite. Instead of sugar, the donuts are topped with a glaze made with matcha. Most countries have their take on donuts, so it is not surprising Japan has, too. But where did the frog come from?
The roots of the frog-decorated donuts can be traced back to social media and more specifically to TikTok. Did you know that on TikTok there is a community where people share videos of foods made in the shape of frogs? Bread, cookies, macaroons, cakes. So why not donuts?
The recipe for matcha frog donuts we have shared below is by Eric from Eric Tries It. He says he was inspired by seeing frog cakes on TikTok. He also drew inspiration from Japan and in particular from the Japanese bakery Floresta, in Tokyo. The bakery is known for its donuts shaped like animals.
What do you need to make Eric’s matcha frog donuts?
These donuts take two hours to make, so make sure you set aside enough time. The preparation time is about 1½ hours and the cooking time is half an hour. The first time you make them, it is good to give yourself extra time, as often recipes take longer when you try them the first time.
Ingredients for the donut:
- 280g of flour
- 125g of warm milk
- 50g of room temperature butter
- 1 room temperature egg
- 1 ½ tsp of instant yeast
- 2 tbsp of sugar
Ingredients for the coating:
- 200g of white chocolate
- 1-2 tbsp of matcha powder to preference
You will also need:
- 16 Smarties or almonds for the eyes
- Chocolate/sprinkles for decoration
- Oil for deep-frying
Step-by-step instructions for making Eric’s matcha frog donuts
- Start by making the dough. Warm the milk up first. Then, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, yeast, and sugar until you get foam.
- Once it is foamy, you can add flour and egg. Mix it by hand or using a dough hook. When it starts to come together, add the softened butter mixing it in. The dough should now feel elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a towel. Leave it to prove in a warm place for about an hour or until it has doubled in size.
- When the dough has risen, roll it flat, about 1cm thick, and with a knife cut out eight medium donut rings. Place the rings on a baking paper-covered tray, cover them again with the towel and leave them to prove for another 30 minutes.
- Heat the oil and fry first one side until golden brown, then the other. If you are not sure if they are ready, you can take one out using a slotted spoon. Test the donut with a toothpick to see if it is cooked through.
- Once the donuts are done, remove them from the oil with the slotted spoon and place them on a wire rack to cool. Place a paper towel under the rack to catch any dripping oil.
- While the donuts are cooling, prepare your white chocolate matcha coating by melting the chocolate over a double boiler and whisking in the matcha.
- To decorate your frog, dip the smarties or almonds into the matcha chocolate mix and insert them into the donuts to make eyes. Leave it to set for a while.
- When the eyes have set, dip the donut halfway into the coating mix and allow it to set.
- Finally, to finish your frog, use a piping bag to add the mouth, nose, and eyes.
A dairy-free alternative
This recipe from Bites by Bianca is not just dairy-free, it is also gluten-free and uses rice flour. The prep time is only 15 minutes and the cooking time is 35 minutes, so this is a great recipe to try if you don’t have the time to use a whole afternoon to make donuts.
You can also try this recipe from Tasty K, which is 100% vegan. They are super quick to make. The preparation and cooking time is only 18 minutes. Bianca’s matcha donuts are not froggy style, but you can always decorate them if you wish.
They are baked in the oven using a donut pan, which makes them lower in calories than deep-fried donuts. There is also a short video to accompany the recipe.
Nutritional information
The nutritional information will vary depending on the ingredients used. We can use the matcha topped donut from Dunkin’ Donuts as a guideline. They have 250 calories, 11 grams of fat, and 34 grams of carbohydrates.
How does that compare with other donuts?
| Type of donut | Calories | Carbs | Fat |
| Sugar donut | 250 | 22g | 10g |
| Creme-filled chocolate donut | 368 | 36g | 22g |
| Jam donut | 416 | 67g | 14g |
Conclusion
Have you decided which recipe to try yet? They are all interesting alternatives to the more traditional donuts and therefore all worth trying. The matcha gives them an interesting earthy taste and with matcha being a superfood, they are healthier than many other donuts.
We recommend trying them both. You never know which will end up being your favorite matcha frog donut recipe.
Do you have any questions about matcha frog donuts or matcha as an ingredient? If you do, take a look at the frequently asked questions. If you cannot find the answer there, write them in the comments section.
FAQ
How do I store donuts?
Donuts are definitely best when they are eaten warm. Or at least the same day. But if you need to store donuts, you can use a storage container once the donuts have cooled to room temperature. If you are storing donuts filled with cream, put them in the fridge. Otherwise, you can keep them at room temperature.
Should you wish to store them for longer, you can also freeze donuts. You can use a freezer bag or a container and keep them for up to three months.
Does matcha contain caffeine?
Yes, matcha contains caffeine. You also need to be aware that because you are consuming the whole leaves of the tea plant, you will get more caffeine than in a normal cup of tea. Possibly three times as much. But you will not consume that much in a single donut.
People who consume a lot of matcha say that it gives them a feeling of being relaxed, but not drowsy, like an alert calm. This happens because matcha has l-theanine, which is a natural substance that induces relation.
I’ve heard that matcha contains lead. Is that true?
Unfortunately, yes. Tea plants absorb lead from the environment and even organic tea will have lead. In traditional tea, when the leaves are discarded, you will only consume a very small amount of lead, because 90% of it stays in the leaves.
With matcha, since it uses the whole leaves, there will be more lead. However, it is still fine to use matcha in food or drinks. The expert advised keeping the consumption of matcha to one cup per day.
My donuts have gone stale. Is there anything I can do?
Yes, there is. You can put it in the microwave. Fifteen seconds will be long enough for it to soften again.
