My family and I have been in a habit of making oatmeal nearly every morning for breakfast. It's fast, filling, and perfect for fresh fall days. When I ran into a mom that I know from preschool, she told me that she eats quinoa for breakfast. She's from Peru. Considering that that's where quinoa originated and is mainly imported from, you know she probably has a good idea of how to use it.
Sure, I've added puffed quinoa to sweet recipes but never have I thought of it as an oatmeal alternative. It's really just as easy to cook as oatmeal and only takes a few more minutes. Those extra 5 minutes are worth it!!
Like with oatmeal there are endless possibilities but I thought it would be good to put all those fresh apples to good use. Any apple will do for this recipe. I used a gala apple because they are on the sweeter side and are pretty easy to find organic.
Use whatever you have on hand or use this nifty apple chart. I've shared it before on my Apple-Banana Muffin Recipe but I often look back on it as a reference.
Once you've got that apple situation handled you can get around to actually making this quinoa breakfast bowl :) I could have just chopped up apples and put them on top of the cooked quinoa but I wanted to make sure there was plenty of that seasonal apple flavor infused into it. What I did was chop the entire apple then I added half of it to the quinoa and cooked the quinoa, saving the remaining apple to add on top.
Once your quinoa is cooked you can top it with apples, cinnamon, maple syrup, walnuts and cacao nibs. Feel free to omit or add any other ingredients to your liking :)
My boys love this and you can even add a splash of almond milk to it for some extra creaminess. I love this quinoa breakfast bowl since it's not a sugar filled breakfast that will have them me and my kids bouncing off the walls all day ;)
What's you favorite "sweet" way to eat quinoa?
Apple Walnut Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Ingredients
- ½ of a cup uncooked Quinoa
- 1 Apple of choice cored and diced
- 2 ½ cups of Water
- 2 teaspoons Maple Syrup or more to taste
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- ⅓ of a cup Walnut Halves optional
- 1 teaspoon Raw Cacao Nibs optional
Instructions
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Rinse quinoa with hot water to remove any dirt and bitter taste.
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Dice an apple of choice.
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In a small saucepan add quinoa, ½ of a cup of the diced apples, and water. Bring to boil, uncovered, over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until nearly all the water has been absorbed. Remove saucepan from heat.
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Stir maple syrup and cinnamon into the cooked quinoa.
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Divide quinoa between two bowls and top with remaining fresh diced apples, walnuts, and cacao nibs.
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Enjoy hot.
Recipe Notes
1) For a creamier quinoa use 1 cup water and 1 ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk instead of the 2 ¼ cups of water. You can use other plant based milks as well. Coconut milk will give you the creamiest consistency. 2.) If you don't like the chunkiness of quinoa then add the cooked quinoa (before adding the maple syrup and cinnamon) to a mixer or food processor and blend until the consistency is reached that you prefer. I find that toddlers and babies like it better when the quinoa is pureed.
Be sure to share the recipes you make with me on Instagram using #VeganFamilyRecipes. My feed moves really fast so that way I'll be sure to see it! If you aren't following me on Instagram make sure you do! Otherwise, you'll miss awesome posts like this video below :)
Jenn says
Sounds so good! We eat oatmeal often as well. I do mix it up from time to time. I actually have an apple version that I do with quinoa, millet and amaranth together. It's so good and the kids have NO idea how healthy it is! Your photos are lovely! Really makes me want to put on a cozy sweater and curl up with a big bowl of this deliciousness!
The Food Hunter says
I love the apple chart very helpful.
Linda @ Veganosity says
I made oatmeal with sliced apples, applesauce, cinnamon, and chia seeds this morning. I'm going to try the quinoa version tomorrow. Looks amazing, and gorgeous pictures!
Kat | curlsnchard.com says
Oh this sounds like right up my alley! I love quinoa and I love everything else you put in there <3 What is more to say there than perfect breakfast :)
Sophia @veggies dont bite says
I love this idea! Such a good one and sounds so tasty!
Traditionallymodernfood says
Apple and cinnamon dies magic together and this is one perfect example:-)
Audrey @ Unconventional Baker says
What an amazing cozy breakfast, Vanessa <3 And that cow is such a cutie! :)
The Vegan 8 says
This sounds and looks incredible Vanessa! What a wonderful breakfast idea and you can't really go wrong with apple and cinnamon...it's one of my favorite combos. I love your beautiful Fall inspired photos too! :)
Levan @ Crazy Vegan Kitchen says
Perfect bowl not just for breakfast, but lunch, dinner, supper, snacking, EVERY SINGLE TIME OF DAY!!! YES, YES, YES!
Howie Fox says
What a great breakfast recipe!! i wish quinoa was as cheap as oatmeal. I'd be using it much more often :D
Sina @ Vegan Heaven says
This looks amazing, Vanessa! :-) The apple chart is so helpful. Thanks for sharing!
[email protected] says
Quinoa for breakfast cereal sounds great, I love how you added apples and walnut. Its real filling and comforting, thanks for sharing!
Shamone says
I just made this for my fiancé and I and k love it! I substituted the cocoa for semi sweet chocolate chips because bags all I had in the pantry. I also added cranberries and added more cinnamon and maple syrup to my desire, very delicious and lightweight. It’s the perfect vegan dish for fall mornings! Thanks for the recipe!
Vanessa Croessmann says
Thanks Shamone! This is definitely one of our favorite fall morning recipes as well :) Love that you added some cranberries as well! We'll have to try that out next time.