Hey everyone, lately I’ve been trying to mix up my breakfast options a little. To do that, I’ve been including quinoa. Now I know a lot of you will be thinking quinoa only belongs in salads or as a side, but it works really well as a breakfast food if you mix it up well. The right flavour combinations and you get a similar kind of thing to overnight oats with an added dose of natural plant-based protein. This post includes three quinoa breakfast ideas.
The only downside to using quinoa as a breakfast food is that you have to cook the quinoa first, so it takes longer to prep than some overnight recipes do. I cooked my quinoa in almond milk, which takes slightly longer as well as you have to keep the heat lower to avoid spoiling the milk. It is worth it though, I promise.
Today I’m including two overnight options and one warmer option. The sky is blue but it isn’t exactly warm outside so I thought having options to go either way would be better while we’re transitioning into spring. Of course, if you want to eat one of the overnight versions while it’s still warm, that works too.
These recipes don’t contain any blueberries and only one has chia seeds. I’m branching out, people.
Steps 1 and 2 are the same for all recipes, so to save writing the same thing each time, follow the first one for all three.
1. Overnight Mango and Passion Fruit
Ingredients:
- 50g dry quinoa
- 150ml almond milk
- 25g gluten free oats
- An additional 80-100ml almond milk
- 40g dried mango
- 1 passion fruit
- 150g dairy free yoghurt (I’m using Alpro soya vanilla)
- Syrup to taste
Method:
- Prep quinoa as per packet instructions
- Place quinoa and 150ml almond milk in a small saucepan on a low heat and leave to cook, stirring occasionally. When cooked there should be little to no liquid remaining.
- While the quinoa is cooking, place the oats in a separate dish and cover in almond milk, just enough to cover the oats with no extra on the surface.
- When quinoa is cooked, leave to cool then stir in syrup to taste.
- Then stir in a heaped tsp of the yoghurt to the oats.
- Time to assemble. Add the oat layer to the base of your jar. Place a layer of dried mango over the oat layer. Now add the quinoa layer over the mango and add the passion fruit layer. Then place the yoghurt on the top, with a few additional pieces on dried mango for decoration.
- Place in a fridge overnight to set. Consume within 3 days.
2. Overnight Cocoa Vanilla
Ingredients:
- 50g dry quinoa
- 150ml almond milk
- 150g dairy free vanilla yoghurt
- 1tbsp raw cacao powder
- 1tbsp maple syrup
Method:
- Follow quinoa instructions for previous recipe.
- Once quinoa is cooked, leave to cool and stir in the syrup and cacao powder.
- Layer the dish, splitting the quinoa in two, put half in the bottom of your jar/ container, layer the yoghurt in the centre and add the rest of the quinoa to the top.
- Place in the fridge to set. Consume within three days.
- Add dark chocolate to serve.
2. Warm Chocolate Chia
This one is a little different. You cook it like porridge and eat it like cereal.
Ingredients:
- 50g dry quinoa
- 150ml almond or coconut milk, plus extra for serving.
- 1tbsp raw cacao powder
- Maple syrup to taste
- 1tbsp chia seeds
- Some nut butter, fresh fruit or dark chocolate to serve. Or all three.
Method:
- You know the drill with the quinoa by now.
- Once quinoa is cooked, stir in the cacao, chia and syrup and place in a bowl to serve.
- Pour over the additional milk until it reaches your desired texture.
- Add your toppings!
You could also have this recipe as an overnight version. For that, make sure the quinoa hs fully cooled before placing it in the container, to avoid condensation. Then add the quinoa to the container. Make sure you include around 100ml of ‘serving’ milk as the chia seeds will absorb it overnight.
Enjoy! Which one would you choose?
Until next time,
Sophie
To see my other overnight recipe ideas, click here.
That mango and passion fruit one sounds amazing! I do have a soft spot for passion fruit though your pictures are gorgeous, as always!
I’ve never tried any of these before, but I do love the sound of the overnight cocoa vanilla one! It’s always great reading your posts – I always learn and see so many new things!
Amy,
https://creativenails.uk
The first recipe looks amazing Sophie! I am a huge mango and passionfruit lover aswell so when l saw that, l literally had the biggest smile! I haven’t tried quinoa in a breakfast because l just wasn’t sure what to do with it really. This post has given me some ideas. Thanks so much for sharing Sophie!
MJ X
I bought quinoa once but was so bad at preparing it so I never tried again! but those three recipes sound amazing and might make me reconsider! xx corinne
Ooh I’ve never really thought about eating quinoa at breakfast. Although I often have it at dinner and quite like the taste. I’d choose the overnight cocoa vanilla – it looks amazing! Thanks for sharing the recipes Sophie xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Oh my gosh, the overnight cocoa vanilla breakfast looks incredible! I’m always on the lookout for new healthy breakfast ideas, so I will definitely be trying these out!
Grace x
This is such a great post! I’ve never thought of having quinoa for breakfast as it seemed so odd, however these recipes are amazing and my fave has gotta be the last one! Ayse x
Oh myyyy these look so delicious!!! I rarely eat breakfast but these recipes are making me want to! Cocoa vanilla breakfast looks like it would be my favourite!!
Sarah
These sound delish! I’d definitely go for the warm chocolate chia, it looks scrumptious! x x
Ellis // http://www.elliswoolley.co.uk
That looks so delicious!
These look so delicious! I will definitely give it a try! ❤
I’ve never tried quinoa before! But these recipes look and sound delicious!
carriefi.co.uk
I tried quinoa once and really didn’t like it (I’m so fussy with food though) but these recipes actually sound really good! If I was to try one it would probably be the Warm Chocolate Chia as I’ve never tried Chia seeds but have heard really good things about them and I’ve been loving porridge with nutella for breakfast at the minute so this might be similar!
Jess // foundationsandfairytales.wordpress.com
xx
The vanilla cocoa sound delicious. These are great options and I’ve recently turned vegetarian so it would be great to try these out. Many thanks x x
Wow, I have never heard of quinoa for breakfast but these sound absolutely delicious but also a healthier option then lots of other breakfast ideas that involve chocolate and vanilla. What a great post idea so creative!
ashianashome.wordpress.com
I’ve never had quinoa but great recipes!
I love the look of the chocolate chia. I’ve got a lot of Quinoa at home (I’ve only just learnt that I’ve been saying Quinoa wrong), so I definitely need to try these. I’ve been eating vegan and gluten-free food for a week, and the difference it has made is really amazing.
The first recipe looks amazing! Your posts always remind me I need to be making more of an effort with eating breakfast daily!
Adding a little sweet something at the end. That sounds delicious. However, I think I’d go for the coca one. I just can’t resist it.
I have been taking a hard look at my breakfast choices and really thinking of ways to make it more healthy so this comes at a great time for me. Thank you for sharing.
I’m up for anything chocolate based! Although would have to be overnight as I always wake up too late to make anything more than toast…
such lovely breakfast ideas! I am such a fussy eater but i think I would love the warm chocolate chia, especially with banana on the top! Great post x
The cocoa & vanilla and warm chocolate chia sound delicious! Will definitely make some over the weekend for the week 🙂
Perrine
I never thought of having quinoa for breakfast! I’ll probably still add blue berries in one of them to keep things interesting hahaha. So for the first one, I don’t cook the oats, just leave in the almond milk to soak right? Definitely going to give these recipes a try, love to trying new things!
Yep! That’s right, no need to cook the oats. They soak and go in the jar cold. Please let me know if you try any of them! x
The warm chocolate chai looks amazing! Lovely post
The mango and passion fruit one looks so tasty! Will definitely try this one out!
Ellie | elliekblog.blogspot.co.uk xx
Overnight mango and passion fruit sounds soooo tasty! I’ll have to try this, I use quinoa a lot but haven’t had it for breakfast!
Oooh! Love how you’re incorporating all of the delicious foods for your quinoa breakfast recipes! Passion fruit is so delicious. I never thought about including it for a breakfast meal. I’ve never had warm chocolate chia before but it looks delish as well! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
https://exquisitely.me
These all sound delish! I think I’d go for the overnight mango and passion fruit as I’ve been in a fruity mood lately! xx
Wow these all look delicious, especially the overnight cocoa vanilla.. I will definitely have to give that one ago myself. Great post! 🙂
Kate
I LOVE QUINOA!!!
I’ve just bought a huge bag of it, and I am saving this page to my bookmarks!!
I can’t wait to try all of these !!!
Kelly
http://thiswayandthatway.com
I LOVE QUINOA!!!
I’ve just bought a huge bag of it, and I am saving this page to my bookmarks!!
I can’t wait to try all of these !!!
Kelly
http://thiswayandthatway.com
Quinoa porridge is my absolute fave for winter breakfasts, but I’d never thought of adding cacao to it!! Im so excited to try this Xx
I like the sound of the chocolate and vanilla one! I wasn’t really aware you could have quinoa in sweet things… Like you said at the beginning, I thought it was just for salads or lunch-time type meals haha!
These look so delicious! I’m always looking for easy breakfast ideas that are still healthy…which is hard to find haha!
-Kate // http://www.classyandkate.com/reverse-bucket-list-things-ive-experienced/
omg I haven’t seen anything like this before, looks so yummy definitely going to give these recipes a go xx
I never even considered the idea of putting quinoa into my breakfasts but this looks incredible
!! All the recipes look like something from a magazine xx
Morgan //
This is a great recipe! Looks delicious