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Ingredient spotlight: Healthy hemp seed recipes

Hemp seeds (Cannabis sativa) in small bowl

Hemp is a little seed that packs a big nutritional punch. Hemp actually beats out its superfood comrades chia and flax when it comes to protein, with two tablespoons providing approximately 7g of vegan protein. These seeds have a complete amino acid profile, which isn’t common in plant-based foods, making them a pantry must-have for vegans and vegetarians.

The seed is also a stellar source of magnesium, a mineral which we often have difficulty getting enough of through our diet. A simple two tablespoon serving doles out 25 per cent of your daily magnesium requirements.

So how do you get them into your diet? Hemp seeds are super versatile–you can throw them into smoothies, on top of yogurt, on top of salads etc. But, if you’re into incorporating these seeds as an intrinsic part of a recipe, rather than just an afterthought, then we’ve got a list of hemp seed recipes for you.

hemp butter
Credit: Don’t Waste the Crumbs

1) Cinnamon cocoa hemp heart butter

This nut-free butter is perfect for those with nut allergies and those who may have found themselves in a bit of a peanut butter rut. This recipe is pretty much a homemade, guilt-free nutella. Spread it on a banana as a pre-run snack, drizzle over oatmeal for breakfast or on a slice of toast for a quick snack.

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Credit: Making Thyme For Health

2) Sweet potato hemp seed quinoa bowl

Want a healthy vegan dinner with Mexican flavour in less than 40 minutes? Sounds like a plan. With black beans, sweet potato, quinoa and hemp seeds, this one-bowl-wonder checks all the important boxes: protein, complex carbohydrate and healthy fats. The cilantro lime dressing used for this bowl recipe is also a great option to drizzle over a green salad.

Credit: Oh She Glows
Credit: Oh She Glows

3) Hemp seed tabouli

Instead of the traditional bulgar, hemp seeds take the spotlight in this tabouli recipe. This dish is ready in less than 10 minutes and makes for a great pack-for-work lunch. Add crackers and make it a fancy appetizer spread!

4) Hemp seed chocolate chip cookie dough

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Credit: The Honour System

What if we told you that you could indulge in raw cookie dough without any processed ingredients? What if we told you that it came in a single serving, so there would be no risk of overindulging? What if we just told you to click the above link? Warning: may cause inadvertent drooling.

5) Green bean fries with hemp seeds

Okay, calling these green beans “fries” might be slightly misleading. While they don’t taste anything like deep-fried potatoes, they are delicious in their own right. All you need is olive oil, some green beans, some hemps seeds and an oven to create this delicious side dish.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Credit: Avocado Pesto

6) Basil pesto with hemp seeds

The most common use for pesto is as a pasta sauce, but this versatile spread can also be used as a dip for crackers or a condiment on sandwiches or in wraps. With walnuts, hemp seeds, nutritional yeast and olive oil, this pesto recipe is guaranteed to beat your store bought brand.

7) Super seedy granola bars

Generally speaking, calling something “super seedy” doesn’t usually have a positive connotation, but in this case, it definitely does. These bars are vegan and gluten free with all natural ingredients and pack not one, not two, not three, but four different kinds of seeds (plus, some peanut butter and dates to stick it all together). Yum.

Credit: Minimalist Baker
Credit: Minimalist Baker

8) Maple coconut pistachios with hemp

If you’re craving a snack that is both sweet and salty, then we’ve got your covered with these DIY roasted pistachios. Keep a jar in your desk drawer for when the mid-afternoon hanger-monster strikes.

9) Chocolate peanut butter hemp seed protein balls

As far as taste and texture go, these bites are about as close to a healthy truffle as you can get. For runners with kids running around, these make for a perfect dessert option (they’ll never know the difference)!

Credit: Art and the Kitchen
Credit: Art and the Kitchen

10) Fuel-to-go protein bars

These bars are like a rice-krispie treat on steroids. Scratch that, because steroids aren’t healthy. These bars are like a rice-krispie treat on every all-natural energy supplement around. You can adapt the recipe to utilize whatever you have in the pantry, add-in wise.

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