8 Tasty Hemp Hearts Recipes - Simple Green Smoothies (2024)

I’ve created plenty of hemp hearts recipes at Simple Green Smoothies, yet today I’m sharing the best of the best to show you how to use hemp hearts. Hemp seeds have incredible health benefits and are 100% plant-based, making them a staple superfood. Despite rumors, they won’t get you high (I’ll talk more about that below).

Whether you want to increase your protein, introduce more healthy fats or enjoy a meatless Mondays recipe, I’ve got you covered! These tiny seeds have a nutty flavor yet are nut-free and useful for adding to smoothies like my brain food smoothie or sprinkling over a coconut joy vegan smoothie bowl.

You can mix them into all kinds of baked oatmeal or overnight oats or bump up the protein in your next kale caesar salad. They aren’t just a fad. This amazing ingredient will be a staple in a plant-based diet.

Hemp Hearts Recipes

I’m including the top eight hemp heart recipes from my plant-powered blog. This is such a versatile ingredient that you can easily add to almost any meal or smoothie!

I’ve got recipes for how to make hemp milk for anyone looking for a dairy-free and nut-free option, fiber smoothie cubes for those looking to easily bump up their fiber intake and my personal favorite recipe for homemade protein powder for those looking to turn their next green apple smoothie into a meal.

If you love the sauce from the hemp hearts veggie bowl then try it on some pasta! The texture and creaminess are like alfredo sauce, and the taste is incredible.

Health Benefits

Let’s take a look at the unique nutrition inside this superfood that makes it such a winner:

• ALL essential amino acids: Our bodies need protein, but can’t make it on its own. Hemp seeds have every single essential amino acid that your body needs, which is the foundation of protein. This also makes them a complete protein!
• B vitamins: They benefit your heart, nerves, brain, muscles and blood cells because of all the B vitamins inside. The highest is vitamin B1 (thiamine), boasting 32% of the daily recommended value.
• Maintain bone density: Hemp hearts are a nutrient-dense food with much of what our body needs for good bone health: magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium,copper, iron and zinc.
• Omega fatty acids: Hemp seeds (hemp hearts are at the center of the seed) are said to have the idealratio of omega-6 and omega-3essential fatty acids needed for overall health (according to theNational Institutes of Health). Having a 3:1 ratio may lead to reduced inflammation that could help chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.
• One serving (2-3 tablespoons) contains 11 grams of protein!

If you like using chia seeds, try swapping them for these and see how you like it. They have different nutritional profiles yet are both full of protein, healthy fat and a wide variety of nutrients.

As you can see, these are great for your overall health!

Seeds vs. Hearts

Are hemp seeds the same thing as hemp hearts? Yes and no. The heart is the raw, soft, nutty-flavored center of the seed. You can eat the hearts raw, cooked, toasted and even baked. The words are often used interchangeably, yet if you want a specific kind then be sure to check your labels!

Hemp seeds are just as good for you as hemp hearts. One main difference is the outer shell. In some recipes, you can use hemp hearts and hemp seeds interchangeably. One reason I prefer hearts more than seeds is that they keep smoothies from becoming too gritty.

Best Place to Buy

I typically buy hemp hearts from Thrive Market or Costco, because they have the best prices in my area.

Shop around a bit before purchasing if this is your first time buying them, because some specialty food stores have four-ounce bags for $10, while the two companies mentioned above have much larger sizes for the same price! No need to overpay for this delicious superfood.

Are There Side Effects to Consuming Hemp?

It’s natural to wonder whether or not hemp hearts can cause similar negative side effects like that of marijuana. However, the overwhelming majority of research shows that hemp hearts cannot get you high.

The plant that produces hemp hearts is very similar to, but not the same as the marijuana plant. The hemp plant contains 0.3 percent of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), whereas the marijuana plant contains anywhere from 5%-30%.

According to Jolene Formene, staff attorney atDrug Policy Alliance, “Hemp seeds are non-psychoactive, meaning that consumers cannot get high by eating them.” A study found that THC levels are minimally affected when eating hemp hearts and that it would be nearly impossible to see levels altered enough to draw concern from federal drug testing.

One thing to keep in mind, though is Hemp hearts are naturally “fatty,” but it’s the good-for-you kind of fat (unsaturated fat). Eating too many hemp hearts can increase your caloric intake (if you’re watching those numbers), so just consume these hemp hearts recipes in moderation, just like all other delicious foods I recommend!

Are Hemp Hearts Good for Weight Loss?

Yes! As mentioned above, they have good, healthy fat, yet all of us need to eat some fats to keep our bodies working. It’s what helps skin stay moisturized and the digestive system running smoothly, as well as helps the body absorb certain nutrients.

Hemp hearts are protein-rich, and the body uses protein for energy. This awesome plant-based ingredient keeps the body going and can help curb sugar cravings. Green smoothies boosted with hemp hearts can act as meal replacements, which in turn can help shed some extra pounds.

Whichever hemp hearts recipe you make, know that you’re using whole foods and plant-based ingredients to fuel your incredible life. Which one of these recipes has you checking your pantry for ingredients?

Don’t forget to leave a comment below to let me know what you think of these recipes!