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!
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.