This Strawberries and Cream Quinoa is delicious enough to be your new, favorite dessert and healthy enough to be your new, favorite breakfast or snack!
Quinoa is packed with protein and fiber so it's time to get creative! That's where I can help and this strawberries and cream quinoa pudding is exactly what you need.
Quinoa is amazing for all of its plant based protein and fiber. I even dedicated a whole chapter to it in The Everything Wheat Free Diet Cookbook.
I love how healthy and versatile it is and this recipe is a perfect example. This can be easy made for breakfast too instead of your regular oatmeal (now don't worry, I would NEVER diss oatmeal!)
But sometimes you just need to mix it up a bit.
If you are looking for some more quinoa recipes, you will love this Caprese Quinoa Salad, Avocado Black Bean Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette and Sweet Potato Brussels Sprouts Quinoa!
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 Strawberries and Cream Quinoa
My Breakfast Quinoa is my favorite way to mix up my regular routine. It sounded weird to me at first because I was used to be good old oatmeal.
I am so happy I decided to try it because it was incredible. I absolutely love the texture and it was so easy to customize any way I liked it.
Well, this gave me an idea...this Breakfast Quinoa had almost a pudding-like texture. Why not make a delicious, sweet pudding like dessert?
And maybe add some plant-based protein and heart-healthy fiber while you're at it.
As someone who is constantly trying to add more protein and fiber to each meal and snack, I am so excited about this recipe.
Recipe Tips
I feel like I am in a food rut these days which is why I need to switch up my boring routine. I don't have the time to get creative every night and make healthy snacks and treats to keep me on plan.
Meal prepping is so convenient and helpful and these can be made in advance. For me, if I don't prepare my foods in advance I get off track and frequently eat something that isn't that healthy if it is right in front of me.
I made three of these at once and kept them in the refrigerator to have a healthy snack available. Curse those leftover kids' snacks, now I am prepared!
You can use a variety of berries or other fruits if you would like. I just made it with a combination of raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries and it was divine.
These would also be perfect for Valentine's Day! I am always looking for delicious, healthy treats for holidays.
If you like a thicker pudding, you can use less almond milk. I would start at a ½ cup and add a little until you achieve the texture you like.
It's all a matter of taste and preference. this will definitely thicken while it sits in the refrigerator for a few hours or even overnight, so keep that in mind.
Enjoy this vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free treat/snack/breakfast. I wouldn't even blame you if you ate it three times in a day. It'll be our secret!
Related Recipes
Chocolate Coconut Chia Pudding from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Dark Chocolate Quinoa Pudding from Simply Quinoa
Avocado Chocolate Pudding from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
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Strawberries and Cream Quinoa
Ingredients
- ½ cup quinoa
- 1 cup Vanilla Almond milk
- 1 cup strawberries pureed
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup
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 pureed strawberries, chia seeds, vanilla and maple syrup. Mix well and refrigerate for at least an hour, or even overnight. Makes about 2 cups cooked quinoa.
Kim Beaulieu
I get in ruts too. Or I go on tangents where I make the same thing with subtle variations to the point of ridiculousness. We're all so busy with our kids it's hard to always be super creative. However you knocked it out of the park with this recipe. I didn't even know you could do this with quinoa so this was enlightening for me. Plus it's just so darn pretty.
lauren.kelly
Oh thank you Kim! My ruts seem to be happening more often these days!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
Whoa, those are really pretty. When I was growing up, Strawberries and Cream was one of my favorite flavor combos! And you're so right, this is perfect for Valentine’s Day!!!
lauren.kelly
Thank you Angie!
Heather // girlichef
Chia puddings are one of my favorite things, and yours with quinoa must be even better! I love the color from the strawberries, and you're right - perfect healthy treat for V-day. 🙂
lauren.kelly
Thanks Heather!!
Paula - bell'alimento
So perfect (and healthy) for Valentine's Day.
lauren.kelly
Thank ou Paula!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
I love these naturally pink treats! Can you still taste the quinoa? I'd like to eat quinoa but I don't like the taste. If you can't taste it here, then I need to try it. 🙂
lauren.kelly
You really can't taste it Erin, but it does still have a quinoa texture? I want you to try it! 🙂
Becky | The Cookie Rookie
YUM!! I have never made anything like this, can't wait to try. Thanks for the inspiration!
lauren.kelly
Thanks Becky! 🙂
The Food Hunter
it looks so pretty!
lauren.kelly
Thank you!!
Cookin+Canuck
This is such a creative use of quinoa! And what a pretty color you achieved with the strawberries.
lauren.kelly
Thank you! 🙂
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats
Yes please! Such a fun creative dessert Lauren!
lauren.kelly
Thanks Krista!!
Chicago Jogger
This is such a creative way to use quinoa! I never would have thought to use it in a pudding. You are right, perfect for V Day in that lovely pink color 🙂
lauren.kelly
Thank you! I loved the color too 🙂
Bea
Yum - I have everything needed at home including frozen strawberries we picked last year plus two sick kids. Will have to make this for them today - this will get me out of my food rut 🙂
lauren.kelly
Oooh I hope you like it Bea!
heather+@french+press
I love quinoa too, and always forget to try it as I would rice for pudding! such a pretty color too
lauren.kelly
Thank you Heather!
Joan
How original! What a creative use of quinoa and strawberries! So healthy and so pretty to look at too!
lauren.kelly
Thanks so much Joan!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
Love this use of quinoa! It sounds so good!
lauren.kelly
Thanks Jessica!!
Julie @ Tastes of Lizzy T
What a healthy breakfast...or snack...or dessert. Love this alternative to all of the Valentine's Day candy!
lauren.kelly
Thanks so much!!