If you’re trying to get on the oatmeal train but just don’t like the consistency of cooked oats. Give this quinoa oatmeal a try! Instead of using rolled oats, I use quinoa and mix it with milk and sweetener to make a breakfast porridge. It’s incredibly versatile, absolutely delicious, and chock-full of nutrients and protein.
You can prepare this quinoa oatmeal in pretty much the same method you would prepare regular oatmeal. Quinoa is naturally gluten-free and the recipe is great if you’re on a plant-based diet since it’s made with vegan milk and maple syrup, and can be dressed up with all types of fruits, nuts, seeds, and spices.
Page Contents
How To Make Quinoa Oatmeal
The first step is to rinse and drain the quinoa. This step is crucial to remove the bitterness from the outside of the quinoa. Make sure the water runs clear, and you’ll know it’s ready.
Stovetop Instructions
I prefer making the quinoa oatmeal on the stovetop because I can toast the quinoa before adding the liquid. This gives the quinoa a nutty flavor which lends itself to a better breakfast bowl altogether. And it’s quite simple.
You’ll start by toasting the quinoa until you hear popping noises or it starts to get darker in color. Then add the milk, sweetener, and salt. Here, you can also add any type of warm spice like cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, and/or turmeric. Cover and let it cook for 15 minutes.
Then remove from heat to allow the liquid to absorb, and fluff with a fork. It’s pretty much the same process as cooking savory quinoa, only we’re using milk and sweetener.
Microwave Instructions
You can also make this quinoa breakfast bowl in the microwave. Make 4 servings per my instructions or just one serving using ¼ cup of quinoa. The process here is to put everything together in a large microwave-safe bowl, then microwave for 6 minutes, stir, and microwave again for 3 minutes.
Just like the stovetop instructions, you’ll want to let the quinoa rest covered for 5 minutes on the countertop so the quinoa absorbs all the liquid before fluffing.
Oatmeal Toppings
Here’s your chance to get creative with this basic quinoa breakfast bowl. You can customize your quinoa with whatever toppings you like. These are some popular ideas for healthy oatmeal toppings to get you started.
- Fruits: Fresh fruits, dried fruits, freeze-dried fruits, frozen fruits, or even fruit purees and jams.
- Nuts & Seeds: Try them whole, try their ground, or add them as a nut butter
- Cooked Grains: Just because it’s quinoa oatmeal doesn’t mean we can add other grains. You can mix the quinoa with oats or amaranth or other grains
- Spices: Cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, pumpkin spice or ginger are all great choices for breakfast
- Dairy: Try adding a splash of milk, creamer, or yogurt for a creamier texture
- Protein Powder: If you’re using protein powders, stir it in when you’re fluffing the quinoa for the best taste and consistency
Quinoa Oatmeal Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1/3 cup mixed fruit such as berries and mango
- 1 tablespoon sliced almonds
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
- Pinch of flake salt, optional
- Chocolate chips, optional
- Ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, or cardamom, optional for warmth
Directions
Add the quinoa, unsweetened almond milk, and salt to a small saucepan. Place over medium heat and bring to a low simmer. Simmer the mixture for 3 minutes. Spoon the “oatmeal” into 2 bowls and top with fruit, almonds, maple syrup, and desired toppings. Serve warm.
Tips For Making Quinoa Oatmeal
- Rinse the quinoa. You might be in a hurry and feel inclined to skip this part, but I urge you not to. Boxed quinoa is usually cleaned. However, quinoa has a natural coating on the outside that helps protect it against bacteria
- Rinsing the quinoa will remove this bitterness so it tastes better
- Don’t forget the salt. Salt rounds out the flavor of quinoa so it’s not bland. It will help bring out the nuttiness of the quinoa. Use just a pinch or ⅛ teaspoon for one cup of quinoa
- Don’t overcook the quinoa oatmeal. This can lead to a mushy consistency which we want to avoid. Instead, keep the ratio of 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups milk and only cook for 15 minutes on low until the quinoa is tender
- Don’t worry if the milk is not all absorbed. It will continue to thicken as it sits
- Allow the quinoa to rest. This keeps it from clumping together and lets it dry out until it’s fluffy, so you’re not left with clumpy wet quinoa
FAQs
Quinoa oatmeal is a breakfast dish made by combining cooked quinoa and oats. It’s a nutritious and gluten-free alternative to traditional oatmeal.
To make quinoa oatmeal, cook quinoa and oats separately according to their package instructions, and then combine them in a bowl. You can add milk or water to achieve your desired consistency and flavor, and sweeten it with your favorite toppings such as honey, fruits, nuts, and seeds.
Quinoa oatmeal is a great source of protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates. It also contains essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron, magnesium, and zinc.
Yes, quinoa oatmeal is gluten-free as long as you use certified gluten-free oats.
Yes, you can cook a batch of quinoa and oats ahead of time, store them in the refrigerator, and reheat them in the microwave or on the stove when you’re ready to eat. You can also add your preferred toppings just before serving.
You can customize your quinoa oatmeal by adding different fruits, nuts, and spices to suit your taste preference. Some popular variations include apple cinnamon, banana nut, blueberry almond, and pumpkin spice.
Final Thoughts on Quinoa
If you are on a gluten-free diet, then quinoa must be one of your daily ingredients. It is gluten-free and very nutritious. It is also very often used in weight loss diets. Therefore, Quinoa is a great fighter against the fat we try to get rid of. It is also a great metabolism booster, also a good weight loss property. Quinoa is a pseudo-grain that is high in protein.
Your metabolism will be faster, helping your body to burn calories instead of depositing them.
If you are in search of food rich n magnesium, then your search is over. These grains are great magnesium sources, helping our nervous system to function properly. It also helps our fight against stress, concentration problems, and memory issues.