Hemp seeds aren’t anything new but for some reason, they never cease to amaze us at their abilities to transform a plant-based recipe. The magical little greenish brown seeds have been around for years and most you probably love them as much as we do. Though no matter how familiar with hemp seeds most of us may be, it never hurts to learn a few creative ways to enjoy them more often.

Hemp seeds are one of the most versatile ingredients you can use in a plant-based kitchen. They’re also packed with all essential and non-essential amino acids which make them wonderful for keeping you nourished and satisfied. Whether you’re trying to build lean muscle, boost your focus, add more omega 3’s to your diet, add more fiber to your diet, consume more dietary magnesium for your nervous system health, or eat foods that can enhance your skin, hemp seeds are one of the best food solutions to try. They’re also just the tastiest little seeds! Slightly sweet and nutty with a creamy finish, these little seeds will do wonders for you, your body, and your recipes.

Give these suggestions a try:

1. Cream Them Up

Hemp seeds are divinely soft which makes them a perfect ingredient for making naturally creamy dressings or using them to make a non-dairy milk. They’re also decadently filling and healthy at the same time. It’s a win-win!

To make a salad dressing: Puree 1/4 cup of hemp seeds with one tablespoon of water, some black pepper, tamari, garlic powder, lemon juice, a touch of parsley, and a pinch of salt. Enjoy on your next superfood salad!

To make vegan non-dairy milk: Blend one cup of hemp seeds with three cups cold, filtered water, some stevia or your choice sweetener, a little cinnamon, and strain through a nut milk bag. Unlike homemade almond milk, homemade hemp milk requires no soaking the seeds beforehand. Easy enough, right?

2. Make Your Own Vegan Butter

That’s right folks – you can make your own non-dairy butter with hemp seeds and oh my, is it delicious! Just puree a cup of hemp seeds with three tablespoons liquid coconut oil or melted coconut butter. Puree until completely dissolved and sit it in the fridge to firm up. It won’t taste exactly like butter but it will be rich, delicious, and satisfying without all the harmful cholesterol found in dairy butter. Spread it on sprouted grain toast, use it on cooked, roasted sweet potatoes, or anywhere else you fancy!

3. Make a Grain-Free Cereal

If you’re Paleo and trying to eat more plant-based or you just don’t tolerate grains very well for digestion reasons, then you might be looking for some alternatives to oatmeal in the morning. Hemp seeds provide a great deal of dietary fiber with 10 grams per three tablespoons, which is twice as much as a standard bowl of oatmeal! They’re also packed with dietary potassium and magnesium, along with 15% of your daily iron intake and 25% of your daily zinc intake.

To make a grain-free cereal: Mix three tablespoon of hemp seeds with 1/4 cup coconut flour, some coconut shreds, and a tablespoon of flax and chia. Stir together and add in some cinnamon and stevia if you like. Finish it with some non-dairy milk and add enough until you get a thick, porridge-like consistency. Enjoy this filling, high-protein breakfast that’s low in carbs, rich in healthy fats, and packed with fiber and energy!

4. To Make Raw Vegan Desserts

Hemp seeds also make awesome raw vegan desserts. They’re amazing in raw energy bars and bites, along with pie crusts, raw cakes, raw candybars, and tarts. Use them in replacement to nuts called for in raw food dessert recipes and you’ll benefit from their higher chlorophyll and omega 3 content. Try them out in these Hemp Seed Chia Bars or these Raw Ice Cream Sandwiches. Don’t say I didn’t warn you though – they’re incredibly addicting!

5. Smoothie Supplement

Perhaps you’re already using hemp seeds in your smoothies, but if not, I’d encourage you to try them out. Due to their omega 3 fatty acid and complete amino acid profile, hemp seeds are a powerful way to boost your mood. Using them in a smoothie is a quick, easy way to do just that. They also make an awesome alternative to protein powder if you want a cleaner, less-processed option. Hemp seeds are also a bit more filling since they contain more healthy fats than protein powders do. Just use three to four tablespoons of hemp seeds in your next superfood smoothie. Here’s a great combination to try for a protein-packed energizing meal: non-dairy milk, three tablespoons hemp seeds, berries, maca, cacao, spinach or kale, stevia, spirulina, and ice. With hemp seeds, you can blend your way to plant-based bliss!

Hemp seeds can be found at any health food store and are fairly inexpensive. I always suggest buying organic, raw, and non-GMO when you can. Store your seeds in the fridge to keep them fresh and prevent rancidity.

What’s your favorite way to use hemp seeds?

Image Source: Heather McClees