27 Breakfast Quinoa Recipes That’ll Make You Forget All About Oatmeal (2024)

1. Dark Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

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Photo: Minimalist Baker

Who doesn’t love eating chocolate for breakfast? We sure do, which is why we created this cocoa-infused recipe.

Sweetened with honey, mashed banana, and vanilla extract, it tastes like a decadent dessert, but it makes for an awesome pre- or post-workout snack or easy breakfast. For a little crunch, top with cacao nibs or chopped pistachios.

2. Spiced Chai Breakfast Quinoa

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Photo: According to Elle

Though pumpkin spice might get all the attention, those in the know recognize that chai is another exceptional flavor.

Skip the lattes and have it with breakfast for an impressive 22 grams of protein. Refreshing ginger will wake up your taste buds while easing sore muscles after a tough morning workout.

3. Quinoa Banana Skillet Bake

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Photo: Edible Perspective

Skillets aren’t limited to eggs and giant cookies. They produce delicious quinoa bakes, too.

Made with coconut oil, dates, shredded coconut, and nuts, this recipe looks as incredible as it tastes. Top with fresh berries for an extra fancy feel (and to boost your antioxidant intake). Make sure to save extra for the week, when you have little time to cook.

4. Mocha Latte Breakfast Quinoa

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Photo: Fit Foodie Finds

Did you give up your mocha habit for New Year’s? Punish your taste buds no more.

Try opting for this breakfast quinoa, which uses coffee, coconut water, vegan chocolate chips, and a coconut cream topping to create a treat that’s arguably better than the sugar-laden coffee shop favorite. (Hey, we say splurge on milk chocolate chips if you feel like it!)

5. Blueberry Almond Breakfast Quinoa Smoothie Bowl

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Photo: Food Faith Fitness

Why drink a smoothie when you can eat it? Quinoa hasn’t escaped the smoothie bowl craze, and it’s a good thing, because you won’t be able to put your spoon down.

The grain is cooked in vanilla almond milk and then gets mixed into a fresh blueberry smoothie. Top with almonds you’ve toasted while the quinoa was cooking for a breakfast that’s full of fiber, protein, and pretty colors.

6. Raspberry Vanilla Almond Breakfast Quinoa

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Photo: Cooking and Beer

All you need are a few good ingredients to make breakfast seem special. Here, the blogger sticks to the basics. Tip: Make a large pot of quinoa ahead of time to keep the cook time to five minutes or less!

Combine vanilla almond milk (we like using unsweetened to keep it extra healthy), cinnamon, nutmeg, honey, cooked quinoa, sliced almonds, and fresh berries to create one of the easiest breakfasts ever.

7. Breakfast Quinoa Flakes with Stewed Blackberries and Basil Flowers

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Photo: Dolly and Oatmeal

If you’re bored with dry, boxed cereals, it’s time to give these quinoa flakes, found near the oatmeal at your grocery store, a whirl.

We love that this recipe uses fresh herbs along with an easy, stovetop stewed berry mix, to get a flavor those other cereals wish they had. Top with chia seeds for an extra health boost.

8. Microwave Cinnamon Maple Breakfast Quinoa

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Photo: Lauren’s Latest

When you need a quinoa fix but are short on time, this recipe is clutch. While the total cooking time depends on your microwave, you’ll have a hot breakfast in less than 10 minutes with little hands-on time.

It’s easy to customize with your favorite fixings, like sliced bananas, berries, or peaches. Be sure to keep the bowl covered so the quinoa doesn’t dry out.

9. Pumpkin Spice Breakfast Quinoa

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Photo: Once Upon a Cutting Board

You may be over the pumpkin craze, but it’s still a fun (and healthy) flavor to cook with. Use pumpkin purée, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, chopped pecans, and uncooked quinoa in this dish, and you’ll remember why it’s such a popular trend — whether it’s fall or not.

10. Strawberry and Coconut Overnight Quinoa

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Photo: Simply Quinoa

Have breakfast ready when the alarm goes off with this overnight quinoa. The instructions couldn’t be easier: Dump everything in a jar, stir, and refrigerate. Coconut milk gives this a luxuriously creamy texture, and maple syrup or a couple dashes of Stevia sweeten things up.

11. Blueberry and Coconut Breakfast Quinoa

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Photo: The Skinny Fork

OK, so berries and milk make for great breakfast quinoa. We’re sure you’ve picked up on that by now.

But what makes this recipe special is the addition of maple syrup, the coconut trifecta (coconut oil, coconut milk, and shredded coconut), and our favorite antioxidant source: blueberries. For extra fiber, top with a tablespoon of chia or hemp seeds.

12. Apple and Peanut Butter Breakfast Quinoa

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Photo: Steph’s Bite By Bite

We’re game for pretty much anything covered in melted peanut butter. This quinoa dish is cooked in coconut milk (though any milk will do), vanilla, and a dash of sweet spices, and topped with apples, creamy PB, and a handful of pecans.

To make it extra gourmet, toast the apple slices and pecans while the quinoa is cooking.

13. Banana Bread Breakfast Quinoa

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Photo: Rabbit Food For My Bunny Teeth

Fresh baked banana bread not only smells like a dream, but it also tastes like one. Unfortunately, it isn’t always the healthiest (with added sugars and butter galore) and isn’t ideal for those avoiding gluten.

This recipe brings out the best banana bread flavors but sticks to nutritious ingredients like quinoa, walnuts, almond milk, and natural sweeteners so you can have the best of both worlds.

14. Warm and Nutty Cinnamon Quinoa

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Photo: 101 Cookbooks

This recipe is for the dairy lovers. Made with regular milk, organic grains, agave, toasted pecans, and seasonal berries, it tastes like a healthier version of berry crisp. If breakfast isn’t your thing, serve as dessert with a small scoop of ice cream on top. Yum.

15. Strawberry Quinoa Pancakes

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Photo: Recipe Runner

Bisquick’s getting the boot: You won’t turn back to the boxed stuff after making these. A mix of whole-wheat pastry and all-purpose flours ensure these pancakes aren’t too dense or cake-like.

Using red quinoa adds a little extra crunch and nuttiness, but other colors work just as well. The three-ingredient strawberry sauce is divine. Try making it with other berries, too.

16. Quinoa Whole Wheat Greek Yogurt Pancakes

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Photo: Cooking Classy

These pancakes are what you need after an intense morning workout or to prepare for a long day. They get a double whammy of protein from cooked quinoa and Greek yogurt.

Applesauce and agave nectar lend sweetness and keep the cakes super fluffy. Finish ’em off with a homemade blueberry sauce.

17. Apple Spice Quinoa Pancakes

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Photo: Rachel Cooks

Too hungover lazy busy to whip up an apple pie? These pancakes are a close second.

With whole-wheat flour, flaxseeds, quinoa, and fresh apple slices, each cake is packed with flavor and nutrition — and ready in just minutes. Top with maple syrup, more chopped apples, and cinnamon, or just gobble down as is.

18. Zucchini Bread Quinoa Breakfast Cookies

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Photo: Simply Quinoa

You know when you make too many cookies the night before and are still sneaking in bites in the morning? These aren’t like that because they’re designed for morning nibbles.

Bananas and honey satisfy a sweet tooth; quinoa, PB, and chia seeds bring on the protein; and zucchini adds moisture and a smidge of veggies (every bite counts, right?). Eat these as you dash to work for a no-muss, no-fuss, make-ahead breakfast.

19. Peanut Butter and Banana Quinoa Bites with Chocolate Chips

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Photo: And They Cooked Happily Ever After

Not only do these bites make a terrific grab-and-go breakfast, they also do double duty as a mid-afternoon snack. Bananas naturally sweeten things up. Adding creamy peanut butter means you’ll be full for hours. These make a big enough batch to share or save for the rest of the week.

20. Quinoa Cakes and Poached Eggs

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Photo: The Healthy Foodie

Move over, Benedict. There’s a new egg dish in town. Reminiscent of both a hash brown and sausage patty, this quinoa is full of flavor. Chives! Shallots! Parmesan cheese! Garlic!

It’s enough to forget that they’re also full of protein and fiber. Brown these in the pan and top with a dripping poached egg for an impressive weekend breakfast.

21. Roasted Tomatoes with Eggs and Quinoa

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Photo: This Gal Cooks

This simple breakfast is a great excuse to using up leftover quinoa. It’s hearty, healthy, and easy to pack for work.

Broil tomatoes for a few minutes, toss cooked quinoa with cheese, then top with an egg and those gorgeous charred tomatoes. So much flavor, such little effort — just the way we like it.

22. Mediterranean Feta and Quinoa Egg Muffins

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Photo: EA Stewart

Fancy enough to be on a brunch menu, these Mediterranean-inspired muffins are like your favorite Greek salad in breakfast form.

After all, when spinach, tomatoes, olives, oregano, quinoa, and feta all party together, what can go wrong? Eat these chilled or reheated. You’ll love them either way.

23. Quinoa and Egg Breakfast Casserole

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Photo: My Utensil Crock

Are you a breakfast bake fan? If not, you should be. Recipes like this one prove how easy they are: Toss a bunch of your favorite healthy ingredients and eggs into a large baking dish (no need to precook the quinoa!), slide into the oven, and bask in the glory 45 minutes later.

This version uses spinach and fresh herbs, but you could easily use whatever else you have on hand.

24. Mini Ham and Cheese Quinoa Cups

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Photo: Iowa Girl Eats

Essentially a mini frittata, these portable cups are high in protein, low in calories, and super versatile. The classic ham and cheese combo with a dash of zucchini gets two thumbs up, but any ingredients you’d enjoy in an egg scramble would work.

Make a big batch over the weekend, and reheat a couple to take each morning throughout the week.

27 Breakfast Quinoa Recipes That’ll Make You Forget All About Oatmeal (2024)

FAQs

Can I eat quinoa for breakfast everyday? ›

Not only is it packed with protein and fiber, but it's also a complex carbohydrate meaning it digests more slowly in your body. So if you're like me and you hate feeling famished mid-morning, quinoa is a great thing to add to your daily breakfast routine.

Is quinoa a good substitute for oatmeal? ›

It's a cozy, warming, soul-nourishing bowl of goodness that is packed with good-for-you ingredients. We've got protein, we've got fiber, we've got healthy fats. And we've even got some natural sweetness. This quinoa porridge is better than your standard oatmeal in so many ways and it tastes just as good as it looks!

How to eat quinoa? ›

Once you've made a batch of quinoa, you have endless options for using it. Make it the base of your next grain bowl, toss it into a salad, or stuff it into squash or sweet potatoes. It's also at home in soups & wraps, and it pairs nicely with sweet flavors as well as savory.

What does quinoa taste like? ›

Flavor Profile: What does quinoa taste like? Now you know that quinoa is a seed that originated in the Andes and comes in three different colors, but let's talk about flavor. These pseudograins have a nutty undertone and an earthy aftertaste similar to brown rice. However, they have a soft yet slightly chewy texture.

Is quinoa better for breakfast than oatmeal? ›

It is high in proteins and fiber and enriched with antioxidants that help in making the immune system stronger. You are advised to consume quinoa more in comparison to oats as quinoa will provide more health benefits in low calories.

Can I eat oats and quinoa everyday? ›

According to The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), there are some foods which should be eaten in proper moderation. Even the healthy food items like quinoa and oatmeal can be harmful to your health, if not taken in moderation.

What is better than oatmeal for breakfast? ›

Quinoa. With its nutty taste, quinoa can provide you with plenty of protein and flavor in an oatmeal alternative. In addition to its impressive protein content, quinoa is loaded with fiber, iron, magnesium, and folate ( 3 ). Best of all, quinoa oatmeal can be super easy to make.

What's healthier, oatmeal or quinoa? ›

Oats contain macronutrients such as total carbohydrates, calcium, magnesium, total fat, proteins, saturated fats, iron, zinc, potassium, etc. Though both kinds of cereals are rich in nutrients, Quinoa is considered to be the healthier of the two.

How does quinoa burn belly fat? ›

How Quinoa Helps In Weight Loss? Rich dietary fibre and protein increase metabolism, and that makes quinoa good for weight loss. Cooked Quinoa contains five grams of dietary fibre per cup. Eating high fibre foods is often the missing piece when a person is trying to shed weight.

At what time of the day should I eat quinoa? ›

Enjoy it for breakfast.

We tend to think of quinoa as a savory food to be eaten at lunch or dinner. That doesn't have to be the case. Top your quinoa with fresh berries, peanut butter, shredded coconut and honey for a sweet yet healthy breakfast option.

Is quinoa meant to be eaten hot or cold? ›

Quinoa can be eaten hot or cold and in savoury or sweet dishes. To get the best out of it, I would suggest that it should be cooked using a liquid that imparts flavour… For savoury Quinoa, I always cook in a well-seasoned stock or home-made vegetable broth.

What happens if you don't soak quinoa? ›

Do you need to soak quinoa before cooking it? In short, no, you don't need to soak quinoa. However, doing so is said to remove phytic acid, which may make it easier for people to digest quinoa. If you just want to remove the bitter flavor from quinoa, rinse it under cold water for about a minute.

How to get rid of quinoa smell? ›

That smell is from the saponin, the coating I mentioned earlier, but if you do as Polisi and other quinoa experts suggest and soak the quinoa rather than merely rinse it, you've solved that problem.

How much quinoa per day is safe? ›

Quinoa can be consumed anytime – at breakfast, lunch or dinner. But it is best to eat healthy food like quinoa before going to bed. It induces sleep, because it relaxes the muscles, due to its high magnesium and protein content. “One can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day.

Is quinoa a protein or carb? ›

Quinoa is considered a carbohydrate because it contains many carbs per serving. Although it contains some protein, the macronutrient distribution is closer to what you find in other grains and starches.

Is quinoa healthier than rice? ›

Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice. A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.

Is quinoa a complete protein? ›

Quinoa and Health

One cup cooked provides about 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. Unlike some plant proteins, quinoa is a complete protein, meaning that it contains all nine essential amino acids that our bodies cannot make on their own.

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