This Sweet Potato Pie Smoothie with cinnamon, cashew butter and dates is the perfect combo of cozy and nourishing! I love this smoothie for Winter days when an icy fruit smoothie isn’t peaking my interest. It’s also great for pre-workout power when you need some extra carb, protein and antioxidant support. If you’re a distance runner or endurance athlete, this is a great choice for you! And did I mention it tastes legitimately like sweet potato pie? Even I was shocked at how incredibly delicious this smoothie is — and I’m a long-time smoothie freak! It’s one of the best tasting smoothies I’ve ever had.

This smoothie is made with roasted sweet potato, vanilla, cinnamon, banana, cashew butter, oat milk and protein powder. The addition of protein helps to balance out the ratio of carbohydrates and healthy fats.

In my opinion the best plant based / vegetarian protein for smoothies is simply hemp hearts. It’s one of the few super-foods I’ve stuck with, advocated for, passionately recommended for the last 10 years. And there’s good reason for that! Hemp hearts are a great source of complete protein — meaning they contain all of the amino acids our bodies need. And at around 11 grams of protein in 2-3 tablespoons, they’re on par with many animal protein sources ounce for ounce. They’re also an excellent source of Omega 3’s, Omega 6’s and both soluble and insoluble fiber — yep, they’re a winner!

My goal with food, generally, is to keep it simple. If I can’t figure out how Mama Earth originally made what’s on my plate, I don’t want to eat it. It’s a good rule of thumb to go by. It’s kept me on track with my health goals for near a decade now.

Which is why I’ve stayed away from protein powders for the most part, considering that most of the options out there are stacked with highly processed protein concentrates, additives and refined sugar (like, wha?). Thus: hemp hearts and hemp protein powder are my modus operandi. Did I mention that they’re sustainable too?

If you’re not plant-based / vegetarian try adding a scoop of hydrolyzed collagen as well.

Back to this smoothie: it really does have it all. Flavor. Check. Complex carbs. Check. Natural sweetness for sustained energy. Check. Fiber. Check. Antioxidants. Check. Healthy fats. Check. Protein. Check. Impressive good looks. Check and check.

So whip this nourishing drink up STAT and tell me your thoughts in the comments! xo — Renee

SWEET POTATO PIE SMOOTHIE

Prep time: 3 mins - Makes: 1 large smoothie or two regular servings

Notes: 1. To roast your sweet potatoes, prick all over with a knife and roast at 450 for 30-35 mins until meltingly soft. 2. To steam your sweet potatoes, add water to the bottom of your steam pot and bring the water to a rapid boil. Add your steam basket and place cubed sweet potato into steam basket and cover the pot. Steam 10-15 minutes, until sweet potato is tender.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooled roasted or steamed sweet potato, skins peeled off

• 1-2 large medjool dates (depending on preferred sweetness)

• Splash vanilla extract

• 1/8 tsp cinnamon

• 1/8 tsp pumpkin pie spice

• 1 frozen banana

• 2-3 tablespoons hemp hearts or protein powder

• 3-4 large ice cubes

• 1 tbsp cashew butter

• 2 cups unsweetened oat milk (or any plant-based milk)

• Optional: crushed gingersnaps, coconut whipped cream
  
  Method

• Blend everything together until smooth. Serve as-is or for extra fanciness top with coconut whip and crushed gingersnaps.