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Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa

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Enjoy a bowl of this warm, apple-cinnamon breakfast quinoa cereal which has golden raisins, pecans, and vanilla.

Apple cinnamon breakfast quinoa – quinoa for breakfast you ask? Well yes, quinoa served warm, with it's nutty taste and chewy texture, pairs beautifully with fresh crisp autumn apples, golden raisins, pecans, warm milk, vanilla and cinnamon – a delightful breakfast that is both protein packed and comforting.Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa

Quinoa is not just for salads and side dishes. It’s also great as a whole grain breakfast cereal. If you want a summer quinoa cereal, try thos Peaches and Berries Breakfast Quinoa Bowl, and if you prefer a savory breakfast you will love this Quinoa Huevos Rancheros Bowl or Protein Egg and Quinoa Salad Jars for on the go.

Apple cinnamon breakfast quinoa – quinoa for breakfast you ask? Well yes, quinoa served warm, with it's nutty taste and chewy texture, pairs beautifully with fresh crisp autumn apples, golden raisins, pecans, warm milk, vanilla and cinnamon – a delightful breakfast that is both protein packed and comforting.

I just love the flavor sensations from each spoonful – the sweetness of the raisins, the pop from the quinoa, and the crunch of the apple and pecans. I pour the milk right into the bowl and mix everything together.

Variations:

Fresh pears and cranberries would also make a wonderful alternative to apples and raisins. If you like your cereal a little sweeter you can drizzle it with a teaspoon of honey just before eating.

Why Quinoa For Breakfast?

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is a power-packed nutritional all-star.  Loaded with satiating protein (8 grams per cup) and filling fiber (5 grams per cup), this superfood digests slowly, which keeps blood sugar and insulin levels steady. You’ll also get impressive doses of doses of thiamin, vitamin B6, folate, zinc, potassium, magnesium and selenium, along with 15 percent of your daily iron needs. No wonder the ancient Incas, who considered the crop sacred, referred to quinoa as the mother of all grains!

Should you rinse quinoa?

Be sure to rinse the quinoa well before cooking to rinse off the saponins which has a slightly bitter flavor, or you can buy it pre-rinsed.

Apple cinnamon breakfast quinoa – quinoa for breakfast you ask? Well yes, quinoa served warm, with it's nutty taste and chewy texture, pairs beautifully with fresh crisp autumn apples, golden raisins, pecans, warm milk, vanilla and cinnamon – a delightful breakfast that is both protein packed and comforting.

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Apples and Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa

5 from 2 votes
7
Cals:316
Protein:9
Carbs:53
Fat:8
Apple cinnamon breakfast quinoa – quinoa for breakfast you ask? Well yes, quinoa served warm, with it's nutty taste and chewy texture, pairs beautifully with fresh crisp autumn apples, golden raisins, pecans, warm milk, vanilla and cinnamon – a delightful breakfast that is both protein packed and comforting.
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American
Apple cinnamon breakfast quinoa – quinoa for breakfast you ask? Well yes, quinoa served warm, with it's nutty taste and chewy texture, pairs beautifully with fresh crisp autumn apples, golden raisins, pecans, warm milk, vanilla and cinnamon – a delightful breakfast that is both protein packed and comforting.
Yield: 4 servings
Serving Size: 1 bowl (1/4 of recipe)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dry quinoa, rinsed well
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 tsp cinnamon + more for sprinkling
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 cup golden raisins
  • 1 cup warmed fat-free milk for drizzling, non-dairy milk is fine
  • 1 gala apple, peeled and diced
  • 1/4 cup pecans, chopped

Instructions

  • Combine quinoa, water, cinnamon and vanilla in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce to a simmer, cover, and let cook for 15 minutes until quinoa can be fluffed with a fork.
  • Divide cooked quinoa between four bowls then stir in apple sauce, raisins, and pour in warmed milk.
  • Top with fresh cut apples and pecans and a dash of cinnamon.

Last Step:

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Notes

Makes 4 servings. You can divide the recipe to make 2 servings.
**Nutritional information for quinoa provided by Heather K Jones, RD (aka The Diet P.I.).

Nutrition

Serving: 1 bowl (1/4 of recipe), Calories: 316 kcal, Carbohydrates: 53 g, Protein: 9 g, Fat: 8 g, Saturated Fat: 0.5 g, Cholesterol: 1 mg, Sodium: 35 mg, Fiber: 6 g, Sugar: 20 g

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86 comments on “Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa”

  1. I have been making this for years now (probably since you published it) but just saw that I could comment. I absolutely love this recipe. It leaves me feeling satisfied but not heavy. And it’s super versatile. I’ve made it with banana, macadamia, and coconut, peach and almond, berry and cashew, pumpkin and pecan, and just love it! Thank you for this fantastic breakfast that works for even picky eaters. 

  2. This was so good, a nice change from oatmeal! The only thing I did differently was to use a honeycrisp apple since it is my favorite. I enjoyed the nutty flavor and texture of the quinoa, and the raisins were great with the apple flavors. Had no trouble reheating for breakfast the next day. A make again recipe! Made and reviewed for the Alphabet recipe tag game.

  3. Avatar photo
    Kelly Brooks

    Hi I didn't have all the ingredients for this recipe so I used banana extract, 1 1/2 mashed banana's I had in the freezer,( I let my banana's get very brown spotted, sweeter then I freeze) with 2 tbsp. of smooth peanut butter, cinnamon, almond milk to the consistencey you like ( I didn't add the whole cup ) walnuts! OMG OMG this was out of this world delicious!!!! I had to stop myself from eating the whole batch 🙂

  4. Hi, I know most of the post on here are much older but for those reading after this post I measured this after cooking and got almost 4 cups.
    Gina This is very good. I fixed some today to have for the next few days and realized I didn't have apple sauce and not wanting to open a jar of homemade pear honey or spice plum jam I added a tip of a spoon of peanut butter and the raisins and milk. I only ate 1/4 cup just to sample it tonight. So this could be fixed with what ever flavor tickled your fancy.

  5. I have some already cooked quinoa in my fridge from another recipe and I was wondering what the measurement would be if I used already cooked quinoa? Does one cup of uncooked equal 4 cups cooked? I think I read that somewhere lol. I was looking for a way to use up my leftovers…this looks so yummy!!

  6. So if each serving has 3/4 c quinoa, then this recipe would be 5 points per serving, wouldn't it? Not including the milk. Does 1 cup of dry quinoa make 3 cups cooked in this recipe??

  7. Avatar photo
    Elaine Burnette

    This was absolutely delicious. I'm the only one in my house that eats quinoa, so I just reheat some quinoa in a single serving and added the toppings to taste, I'll be having this more often for breakfast!!!

  8. After preparing this, I can say wow! This was my first quinoa based dish and I am pleasantly surprised. I am not a breakfast person so it's easy for me to start the day off wrong with sugary, processed food choices. This has helped curve those poor choices and will be a staple in my morning routine.

  9. Avatar photo
    Felicia Robinson

    Hi Gina,

    This looks really delish and I plan to make it this weekend! I track all my meals in myfitnesspal.com. I know you have 1/4 of the recipe, but would you happen to know exactly how much does a serving equal?. Is it approximately 3/4 cups, 2/3 cups, 1/2 cups, etc. Thank you!

  10. My family and I just enjoyed a bowl of this, making enough for us to have for breakfast later this week. I have a surfeit of bananas and some coconut milk hanging around that would make a good springtime version of this. Thanks, it was great!

  11. Avatar photo
    Sheila Tidwell

    amazing! I could have eaten the entire batch myself. That might have defeated the whole eating healthy thing though.Thank you for all your wonderful recipes.

  12. I just made this today. It was so delicious! I absolutely loved it! New favorite breakfast, right up there with your chia pudding. Yum.

  13. Love quinoa and for those who are not sure….the first time I tried it I was like "seriously you want me to eat 'that'" said emphatically. Now I find myself putting it into EVERYTHING. A must add to turkey burgers – they tend to dry out during cooking and the quinoa absorbs the juices and releases as the meat cools down and for some odd reason have come to love that little pop quinoa has. Nichole in PA.

    Ps. Costco has hands down the best price and it's organic which is an added bonus.

  14. i just entered this recipe on the weight watchers recipe builder and it came up at 13 points per serving. How did you come up with 8 points?

  15. My family just purchased its first package of quinoa for a recipe, and I was looking for other things to do with it and saw this recipe.. I REALLY like this, and I think my family is going to like it tomorrow when I make it for them! I understand a bit of the bitter taste.. (I dont think I rinsed quite long enough) The great thing is that it is ALL about the mix-ins! as versatile as oatmeal or cream of wheat. Is there anything you know that doesn't work for this? Thanks again.

  16. Great Recipe. I increased the water to 2 cups and did it in a rice cooker and it turned out perfectly!

  17. Being celiac I'm always looking for new ways to get in good fiber. This is one if the best things I have tried in a very long time. Hearty and so good. I was out of applesauce today and put a spoon of strawberry preserves in it – the base quinoa can be changed up with so many options. Thank you for this great idea!

  18. Tried this recipe. Lots of ingredient$$ and prep time for something that taste so BLAND. Right now, the percentage of skinny taste recipes I've tried that are good: 2. Those that are bland/not enough taste: 4.

  19. Really want to try this but would like to know….after dividing quinoa between 4 bowls do you then divide the remaining ingredients between the 4 or do they all go into each individual serving?

  20. How much quinoa per serving? I donot care for cruncy apples in my oatmeal do you think I can cook my apples with the quinoa?

  21. tried this today and it was yummmyyy!!! Hubby and i are trying to go healthy until the end of the year and love the bad for you breakfasts…this is perfect for that craving. Thanks!

  22. Avatar photo
    Christy - www.hokiecoyote.com

    Made a batch this morning and thought it was great. I mixed all the ingredients together and topped my portion with a little brown sugar. Can't wait to see how it tastes tomorrow morning.

    To answer the previous question, I bought my quinoa at Trader Joe's but I also saw it in the grocery store near the rice, couscous, etc. You can also order it online if you do a google search.

  23. I cant wait to make this for my 12 month old tomorrow! Love the idea of using pumpkin butter too!

  24. Oh, I can't wait to try this. We eat quinoa alot, and I have made a breakfast quinoa hash….but this looks delicious!!! I love the spoons, too!

  25. Thank you so much for this new idea . I like quinoa , hot , cold , for breakfast , for diner , for lunch. I was very lucky when I found you 🙂

    Misty from Belgium

  26. I actually boil my quinoa for 10 min and then steam it for 10 min. It makes it fluffier somehow and works great for recipes like this and other quinoa salads. Just thought I'd share.

  27. What a fantastic-looking Fall breakfast… or dessert! I love quinoa, and I know this recipe will keep sounding better the colder it gets – thanks for the new idea!

  28. I made this last night and brought it to work today. So good! I didn't like quinoa the first two times I tried it in dinner recipes, but this was delish!

  29. There are different types of quinoa. Are they all the same or are they different? I usually buy the tricolor quinoa at Trader Joe's and the grains look different size/texture than your picture. Thanks!

  30. I made this this morning- very filling, and tasty! Thanks for the recipe- I never would have thought of using quinoa for breakfast!

  31. Avatar photo
    Shanthe Hernandez

    LOVE Quinoa! Incredible recipe, Gina!!!
    BTW: Trader Joe's has the best price on it that I've found. They even have the multicolored one, which would look awesome in this dish.
    TIP: Making Quinoa in the rice cooker is super easy. You just rinse and cook like rice. Easy Peasy.

  32. Avatar photo
    followingGina

    You've done it again! Man I wish I lived in your house Gina! MMmmm! Quinoa apples pecans and cinammon!? Im in HEAVEN!

  33. Hi Gina!
    I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your website. Everything I've made from here is delicious! Thank you so much for creating recipes that fit my healthy eating lifestyle without all the "no fat=no taste" ingredients. I love how you break down the nutrition facts too!
    I had this quinoa dish this morning- delicious! Easy to make as oatmeal, but much tastier and filling. This weekend I'm making the Buffalo Turkey burgers with Blue Cheese slaw… Can't wait!! Yum!

  34. I am loving all of your breakfast ideas lately! Have been living on your overnight pumpkin oatmeal, now I will try this. Thank you! These breakfasts are easy to make and bring to work. The faculty room always smells so good when I heat up breakfast 🙂

  35. Avatar photo
    Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers

    Yum! Your breakfast looks fantastic!!! I am loving quinoa and it makes a great replacement for oatmeal!!

  36. There's a breakfast Quinoa recipe on allrecipes.com that is similar to this one. Also very good.

  37. Hi. Sorry for maybe a stupid question, but as I am reading I'm wondering, when you say to divide quinoa into four bowls, then add toppings, are the amounts for the toppings in the recipe to be divided by four as well?

    1. Avatar photo
      Carol Garrett

      Yes, you would divide the toppings of chopped apples and pecans and warmed milk evenly between your four bowls

  38. To everyone wanting to know if it reheats well, I make something similar with almond milk and raspberries and it reheats beautifully. Just wait and add the milk as you reheat it and it's perfect. I'll definitely be trying this variation very soon. Thanks Gina!!

  39. this seems like another great recipe to use pumpkin butter with! I'm a little bit crazy with that stuff lately! Love it thanks!!

    1. I just made some of that yesterday and I too am in love with it!!! Made the pumpkin pancakes with it last night and oh my!!!

  40. I was planning on making something similar this week since I have some left over quinoa in my fridge! I'll be using almond milk and walnuts instead though. I didn't even think of adding applesauce, what a great idea!

    1. I have frozen cook quinoa many times and it works perfectly, just take out of the freezer and put into the fridge the night before. Also, I think if you freeze the apples those might get a little mushy, but there's nothing wrong with mushy apples. Or, you can just add them later 🙂

  41. How do you think this would reheat if I made a batch the night before and take it to school to reheat for breakfasts throughout the week?

  42. Avatar photo
    Christine W.

    So I just made a double batch of your slow cooker apple sauce and was trying to figure out what to do with it all. I'm going to have to give this a try!