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Warm Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad

Not only is this Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad gluten free, dairy free, fully vegan and ultra delicious. It’s also paired with the perfect creamy maple mustard dressing. This high protein, low carb meal is a healthy option for meals or sides.

Are you ready to cozy up with a salad that’s as nourishing as it is delicious? My Warm Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad drizzled with a dreamy maple mustard dressing, is your perfect pick for a hearty, flavourful meal. Perfect for a family gathering, meal prep, or a comforting lunch, this salad brings the goodness of fall and winter to your table. It’s packed with nutrient dense ingredients, a creamy dairy free salad dressing and comes together in a jiffy!

What You Need for Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad

Sweet Potatoes: Rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This vegetable might be one of my favourites because it’s so versatile, easy to cook with and always gives a punch of colour which I adore.
Spinach: A leafy green that is a salad and smoothie essential, packed with iron and vitamins.
Quinoa: A complete protein source, rich in fiber and a great base for many warm salads, cold salads and just about anything you can desire. An amazing gluten free, low carb option and high protein option.
Walnuts: Adds a crunchy texture and omega-3 fatty acids.
Olive Oil Spray: A healthier cooking option; I find it a lot easier to control the amount of oil I use when it’s in a spray form.
Pink Salt: A mineral-rich seasoning that adds dimension to any flavour with just a pinch.

Maple Mustard Cashew Dressing

Cashew Butter: The ingredient that brings the creamy texture to this dairy free salad dressing and provides healthy fats with a subtle nutty taste.
Olive Oil & Rice Wine Vinegar/Lemon Juice: The base to this tangy salad dressing.
Dijon Mustard & Maple Syrup: The two flavour packed ingredients essential to creating that sweet and tangy profile.
Garlic: Adds a punch of flavour and I pretty much put it in everything because garlic is life!
Salt & Pepper: For seasoning because let’s be honest – what meal is complete without these staples?

Let’s Chat Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes aren’t just delicious; they’re a powerhouse of nutrition. Their high fiber content aids digestion. I’m slightly obsessed with them and do everything from boiling to baking them. Sweet potatoes are one of those vegetables that come in many different variations but never disappoint. If you undercook them they are a little less sweet and provide a really nice texture that I consider similar to cooked carrots; and if you overcook them they quickly become a mash and the sweetness and sugars start to develop. I feel they are perfect for this dish because their sweet flavour complements the nutty quinoa and tangy dressing perfectly.

How to Customize the Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad

Now I know that you might not have all the ingredients on hand but are deeply desiring this delicious bowl of warm goodness after reading this blog; SO if you don’t have all that you need here are a few ways that you can customize this bowl and make it your own.

Nut Butter Alternatives: Swap cashew butter with almond, walnut, or seed butter if allergies are a thing.
Greens Variations: Spinach can be replaced with kale or mixed greens.
Protein Add-Ins: Chickpeas, black beans, or grilled tofu can boost the protein content.
Dressing Consistency: Some people like it thick and others like it runny. Salad dressing is all about personal preference so adjust the thickness of the dressing by adding water to suit your preference.

Why You’ll Love This Salad

This Warm Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad is a celebration of textures and flavours. It’s a satisfying meal that’s healthy, easy to prepare, and versatile. Plus, the unique maple mustard dressing adds a delightful twist, making every bite a little adventure. I have made this warm vegan salad so many times I just had to share it with you all!

There you have it – a warm, inviting, and utterly delicious Warm Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad, perfect for brightening up your meals with a touch of Claire Bear Bites magic. Whether it’s for meal prep, a cozy lunch, or a side at your next gathering, this salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy the process of creating it and the even better experience of savouring every bite. Happy eating!

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Meet Claire

Welcome to Claire Bear Bites! Here is where we have the most amount of fun with food. I’m an silly, quirky Aussie living in LA, creating and loving bright, colorful, healthy and delicious plant forward meals.

This deliciously colorful meals are a direct reflection of me and my love for experimenting. Food should make you happy, smile and make you do a weird lil happy dance cause it taste so dang good. Life can be stressful but your food doesn’t need to be! Let’s have fun and eat the rainbow!

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Warm Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad

Get ready to FALL in love with this warm and cozy fall/winter salad! Salads are for every season! This simple, quick and absolutely mouth watering salad is the perfect side for a gathering, meal prep, snack or cozy winter lunch. Crispy, pillowy sweet potato, spinach, iron and protein packed quinoa and crunchy walnuts are brought together with the dreamiest, creamy maple mustard dressing. Starring creamy all natural cashew butter. Sweet maple and tangy mustard! This dressing is not only magic on this salad, it’s delicious on sandwiches, for dipping veggies, or a sauce for proteins!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Vegan

Servings 2

Equipment

air fryer, stove, microwave

Ingredients

3 large sweet potatoes diced
1 large bag spinach steamed
½ cup cooked quinoa
½ cup walnuts chopped
olive oil spray
sprinkle of pink salt

Maple Mustard Cashew Dressing

2 tbsp artisana cashew butter
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp dijon mustard
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 small clove garlic minced
1/4 tsp salt
pepper to taste
add water to adjust thickness 1 tsp at a time

Instructions

Cube sweet potato into equal sizes (this will help them all cook evenly) I washed them thoroughly and left the skin on for added nutrients, but feel free to peel.
Add the sweet potato in batches to the air fryer. Spray with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. Cook at 400. Tossing half way through until crispy
While the sweet potatoes are frying, cook the quinoa according to package instructions. I like to make a little extra for meal prep throughout the week. Otherwise cook enough for 1/2 cup cooked.
Next steam the spinach, either in the microwave (if it’s a steam able bag or on the stove top.
Combine all dressing ingredients into a small bowl and whisk until combined and set aside. *if you want your dressing thinner simply add 1 tsp of water at a time until desired consistency
Add all prepared ingredients into a large bowl. Top with chopped walnuts and Serve with the thick creamy dressing. **drizzle a little at a time to taste. ** store remaining dressing in the fridge.

Notes

Cashew butter can be subbed for almond or walnut butter, or for people with nut allergies, can be omitted entirely or subbed with seed butter 🙂

The dressing will be thick. So adjust consistency with a little water until your desired consistency is reached.

Keyword dairy free, easy breakfast meal prep, easy meals, gluten free, plant based

Warm Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad

What You Need for Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad

Let’s Chat Sweet Potatoes

How to Customize the Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad