Light, healthy and packed with protein and fiber, This Breakfast Quinoa is a wonderful, nutritious alternative to oatmeal. It's simple to mak,e gluten free, vegan and dairy free.
This Breakfast Quinoa is such a delicious and nutritious way to mix up your morning routine. It is customizable and can be used as a base for so many different variations.
If you are looking for more quinoa recipes, you will love this Quinoa Avocado Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette, Sweet Potato Brussels Sprouts Quinoa Bowl, Coconut Quinoa Smoothie and definitely this Caprese Quinoa Salad!
These would be extra delicious with some Apple Chai Latte, Eggnog Latte, Low Carb Bulletproof Hot Chocolate or even some Spiked Apple Cider!
Also, my cookbooks are both on sale now and would make a great gift! The Everything Wheat Free Diet Cookbook and The Greek Yogurt Cookbook are both the lowest prices I have seen!
Why You Should Make This Breakfast Quinoa
I love oatmeal. But yes, after years of eating it, it does get a little boring.
It's super healthy and loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. One important thing that oatmeal is lacking is a considerable amount of protein.
Now enter quinoa (pronounced KEEN-WAH). Quinoa is a whole grain like oatmeal, but it is also a higher quality protein.
Actually if you want to get super technical, quinoa is a seed. It does resemble the texture of a grain so therefor many people consider it to be one.
Quinoa is a wonderful plant-based protein for those who would like to add more protein and do not want it to be from an animal. Most importantly, quinoa is a complete protein which means it contains all nine essential amino acids.
One half cup of uncooked quinoa has 12 grams of protein, where oatmeal has only 5 grams. Just like oatmeal or any other hot cereal, you can make it according to your taste.
I am always looking for more ways to add fiber to my diet as well, and one serving contains 6 grams of fiber. This breakfast quinoa is a fun way eat this wonderful, plant based seed.
Recipe Tips
I made this breakfast quinoa with fresh raspberries, pecans, sunflower seeds, flax seed and cinnamon, but the possibilities are endless! You can use sliced bananas and almond butter, fresh apple and coconut...whatever you like.
Go ahead and swirl peanut butter, almond butter or even sunflower seed butter on top. I even swirled some Blueberry Chia Jam through mine and it was amazing.
This breakfast quinoa can also be savory as well. I've added scrambled eggs, pesto, and even chicken to it- the possibilities are endless.
Related Recipes
Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa from Cookie and Kate
Sweet Potato Breakfast Salad from A Mind Full Mom
Dark Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Bowl from The Minimalist Baker
Healthy Breakfast Bowl from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
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Breakfast Quinoa
Ingredients
- ½ cup uncooked quinoa
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk can also use soy, skim, whatever milk you like
- ½ cup raspberries or any other berry or fruit
- 2 teaspoons sliced pecans or sunflower seeds or nuts, seeds of your chocie
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Monk fruit or sweetener of choice
Instructions
- Place quinoa in a fine mesh strainer. Rinse and drain quinoa.
- Combine quinoa and milk in a medium saucepan. Bring to boiling.
- Cover and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook 10 to 15 minutes until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
- Add nuts, seeds and cinnamon. Let cool. Add fresh raspberries on top. Makes about 1½ cups cooked quinoa.
Notes
Nutrition
Colleen (Souffle Bombay)
A great dish to begin the day right!
Carolyn
This looks like a great change from oatmeal. Bet my kids would love it!
Nutmeg Nanny
I see breakfast quinoa all the time and I'm so intrigued! I really need to give it a try because it looks so good!
Kim Beaulieu
Love your creativity Lauren. This is so wonderful. I can't wait to try this out.
Samantha
I love quinoa for breakfast and this recipe looks awesome and is no exception! 😀
Cookin+Canuck
I keep saying that I need to try quinoa for breakfast, but haven't taken that step yet. What an easy, healthy and pretty way to start the day!
heather | girlichef
Quinoa is such a great variation on typical morning cereal, such a satisfying way to start the day!
Martha @ A Family Feast
What a great way to change up breakfast! (Healthier too!)
Lana | Never Enough Thyme
What a delicious change from my usual oatmeal. Can't wait to try this!
kazualkreative
Sounds yummy! I've been having yoghurt and berries for breaky but was looking for away to add something healthy but a bit more substantial.. I think Quinoa might be what I'm looking for! 🙂
nutrisavvysblog
I love quinoa! Great idea - to serve up for breakfast! : )
nancy
You state that a 1/2 cup has 12 grams protein but in nutritional info for 1 cup states 6.8 grams protein. Does it lose protein when you cook it? Or am I getting something wrong?
LaurenKellyNutrition
Hi Nancy! I totally understand why you asked that. I was confused too. There are two servings in the recipe which makes it 6.8 protein per serving. I actually calculated quite a few times because I thought I had the protein amount wrong before I remembered there were two servings!