Sweet Potato Protein Smoothie

This Sweet Potato Protein Smoothie is thick, creamy and tastes like sweet potato pie!

It’s great before or after a workout, when you want some extra protein and carbs.

But it’s also great as a snack or on-the-go breakfast. It will keep you full and energized for a long time.

Plus it’s naturally dairy-free, vegan and Paleo.

a protein smoothie made with sweet potato in a tall glass next to a cinnamon stick and half a nutmeg

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Sweet Potato Protein Smoothie

Sweet potatoes are not only one of my favorite foods, they’re also incredibly good for you.

And this healthy Sweet Potato Smoothie is one of my favorite ways to have them.

But they are high in carbs, and drinking a lot of carbs can spike your blood sugar which can then make you crash later.

So I also add a scoop of protein powder to help slow the digestion of the carbs and to…well, add protein, obviously.

And since sweet potatoes are somewhat sweet already, we don’t need to add a lot of extra sweetener.

Plus adding spices and vanilla make this taste like a sweet potato pie!

 

What you need for this Sweet Potato Protein Smoothie

Ingredients:

  • 1 small sweet potato, cooked, peeled
  • 1 cup unsweetened original almond milk (or your milk of choice)
  • 1 scoop of your favorite unflavored or vanilla protein powder (I use this one)
  • a handful of ice cubes
  • 1 tablespoon 100% pure maple syrup, honey (not vegan) or date syrup (3-4 peeled and chopped dates)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (if you’re using vanilla protein powder, you can omit this)
  • a pinch of nutmeg
  • a pinch of sea salt

Equipment:

 

How to make this Sweet Potato Protein Smoothie

You can cook your sweet potato one of the four following ways:

  • poke a few times with a fork, wrap in aluminum foil, and roast directly on the grate in an oven at 425ºF for 40-50 minutes
  • poke a few times all over with a fork, place on a plate and microwave for about 8-10 minutes, flipping the potato once halfway through, until a fork or knife easily slides all the way through
  • scrub under running water then place in a slow cooker insert without drying it, and cook on low for 7-8 hours
  • fill an Instant Pot insert with 1 cup water, place a rack in the insert and place the sweet potato on the rack, cook for 12-14 minutes

No matter which method you choose, the sweet potato should be fully cooled before you use it in the smoothie. It’s even better if you have a chance to chill it in the fridge.

Add the milk to the blender (I just use the markings on the side of the blender jar to measure 1 cup)

Peel the sweet potato and add the flesh to your blender.

Add all of the other ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth. Taste and see if it’s the right consistency and sweetness. If you want it thinner, blend in some water.

 

Substitutions and variations

  1. You can use whatever milk you prefer. I’ve made this smoothie using 1/2 cup full-fat unsweetened canned coconut milk combined with 3/4 cup water and it was great.
  2. You can use whatever unflavored or vanilla protein powder you like. I use this unflavored whey protein from Whole Foods.
  3. This is a sweet potato smoothie without banana. However, if you don’t want to use any of the sweeteners in the recipe, you can swap out the ice for a frozen, peeled, chopped banana
  4. You can add even more nutrition by adding any of the following ingredients:
    1. 1/4 teaspoon turmeric and a few grinds of fresh pepper (always use pepper with turmeric to help absorb all the nutrients)
    2. 3/4 teaspoon grated fresh ginger instead of the ground ginger
    3. chia seeds
    4. hemp seeds
    5. cacao nibs
    6. cacao powder
    7. 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite nut butter

 

Make ahead

This smoothie can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. It lose its thickness as it sits due to the ice melted.

You can also freeze this smoothie in an air-tight container or baggie for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

 

Other recipes you might like:

  1. Sweet Potato Smoothie Bowl
  2. Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
  3. Strawberry Banana Smoothie
  4. Chocolate Tahini Smoothie
  5. Morning Glory Smoothie
a protein smoothie made with sweet potato in a tall glass next to a cinnamon stick and half a nutmeg
Print Recipe
5 from 3 votes

Sweet Potato Smoothie

This Sweet Potato Smoothie is thick, creamy and tastes just like sweet potato pie! Plus it's full of protein and healthy carbs to keep you full and energized. And it's dairy-free, vegan and Paleo. See notes after the recipe for lots of variations.
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: healthy smoothie, protein, sweet potato smoothie, vegan, weight loss
Servings: 1 smoothie
Author: Don Baiocchi

Ingredients

  • 1 small sweet potato, cooked, cooled and peeled (see notes)
  • 1 cup unsweetened original almond milk (or any milk you like)
  • handful of ice
  • 1 scoop unflavored or vanilla protein powder
  • 1 tablespoon 100% pure maple syrup, honey (not vegan) or date syrup (or 3-4 pitted, chopped dates)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (omit if using vanilla protein powder)
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • pinch of sea salt

Instructions

  • Add the milk to the blender (I just use the markings on the side of the blender jar to measure 1 cup). Add all of the other ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth. Taste and see if it's the right consistency and sweetness. If you want it thinner, blend in some water.

Notes

Note: cook time does not include the time it takes to cook the sweet potatoes.
You can cook your sweet potato one of the four following ways:
  • poke a few times with a fork, wrap in aluminum foil, and roast directly on the grate in an oven at 425ºF for 40-50 minutes
  • poke a few times all over with a fork, place on a plate and microwave for about 8-10 minutes, flipping the potato once halfway through, until a fork or knife easily slides all the way through
  • scrub under running water then place in a slow cooker insert without drying it, and cook on low for 7-8 hours
  • fill an Instant Pot insert with 1 cup water, place a rack in the insert and place the sweet potato on the rack, cook for 12-14 minutes
Substitutions and variations
  1. You can use whatever milk you prefer. I've made this smoothie using 1/2 cup full-fat unsweetened canned coconut milk combined with 3/4 cup water and it was great.
  2. You can use whatever unflavored or vanilla protein powder you like. I use this unflavored whey protein from Whole Foods.
  3. This is a sweet potato smoothie without banana. However, if you don't want to use any of the sweeteners in the recipe, you can swap out the ice for a frozen, peeled, chopped banana
  4. You can add even more nutrition by adding any of the following ingredients:
    1. 1/4 teaspoon turmeric and a few grinds of fresh pepper (always use pepper with turmeric to help absorb all the nutrients)
    2. 3/4 teaspoon grated fresh ginger instead of the ground ginger
    3. chia seeds
    4. hemp seeds
    5. cacao nibs
    6. cacao powder
    7. 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite nut butter
 
Make ahead
This smoothie can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. It lose its thickness as it sits due to the ice melted.
You can also freeze this smoothie in an air-tight container or baggie for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

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