Quinoa Breakfast Porridge With Sautéed Apples
This cozy quinoa breakfast porridge takes just 25 minutes to throw together and it can easily be made in advance! I’ve topped it with delicious sautéed cinnamon apples, but you’re welcome to customize it with toppings of your choice. This recipe is vegan and gluten-free.
Have you tried making quinoa for breakfast before? While I often serve it with savoury dishes, sweet quinoa porridges are such an awesome way to switch things up from your usual oatmeal bowls!
Quinoa has a heartier, nuttier flavour compared to oats, as well as a unique nutrition profile (it’s a good source of complete, plant-based protein). It’s truly one of my favourite whole grains/starches to cook with as a dietitian.
Another awesome thing about this recipe? It’s a great option for making in advance and therefore a perfect addition to your breakfast meal prep routine.
You can top this recipe with anything you’d like (I include some topping ideas below), but I’ve decided to make this one with THE most delicious sautéed cinnamon apples (taken from this apple oatmeal recipe). It’s so cozy and comforting!
Want more vegan breakfast inspiration? Check out my roundup of easy plant-based breakfast recipes for more ideas!
Ingredients Needed
All you need to make this quinoa apple porridge are the following 9 simple ingredients:
- quinoa
- milk or milk alternative of choice
- vanilla extract
- cinnamon
- salt
- cardamom
- raisins
- apple (I used honeycrisp)
- coconut oil (for cooking apples)
- optional toppings: nut butter, seeds or nuts, coconut flakes, etc.
Full measurements and detailed instructions are located in the recipe card below!
Recipe Modification & Ingredient Swaps
- I personally found that the combination of raisins and cooked apples was the perfect amount of sweetness for this recipe, but if you’d like additional sweetness you can add a touch of maple syrup. Similarly, you can skip the raisins and use maple syrup (or another sweetener) in their place – just add the amount to reach your desired sweetness!
- You can use any milk or milk alternative that you’d like. I would just aim for an unsweetened one, if possible. I personally used almond milk.
- You can use any type of apple that you’d like, but my personal favourite is honeycrisp!
- If you don’t want to make this with apples (or if you want to change things up), simply swap them with fruit of your choice! This would be delicious with sliced bananas, fresh berries, pears (you can sauté those too), tropical fruits, etc.
Topping Ideas
In addition to apples or other fruit, I love adding some sources of healthy fats to this quinoa porridge to balance out the meal. For example:
- nut butters, like almond, peanut, cashew, or walnut butters. Just aim for an unsweetened one!
- seed butters, like sunflower seed or tahini.
- chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans.
- seeds, like pumpkin, hemp, or chia seeds.
- coconut flakes.
Quinoa Nutrition Benefits
Quinoa is:
- a complete protein, providing 8 grams in 1 cup of cooked quinoa
- a good source of dietary fiber, with 5 grams in 1 cup
- rich in vitamins and minerals like:
- manganese
- magnesium
- phosphorus
- folate
- copper
- iron
- zinc
- B-vitamins
Quinoa is also naturally gluten-free, making it a great starch option for those on a gluten-free diet.
Want to learn more about quinoa, including how to cook it perfectly and other creative ways to use it? I have a comprehensive guide all about cooking quinoa here!
Apple Nutrition Benefits
Apples are:
- excellent sources of dietary fiber. One medium-sized, unpeeled apple contains almost 5 grams of fibre, or 17% of your daily fibre needs.
- good sources of micronutrients like vitamin C and potassium.
- rich in various plant compounds that act as antioxidants, helping to prevent cellular damage.
More Plant-Based Breakfast Recipes
- Creamy Coconut Milk Oatmeal
- Ginger Pear Green Smoothie
- Baked Pineapple Oatmeal
- Grated Apple Bircher Muesli
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
Did you give this Quinoa Breakfast Porridge Recipe a try? Let me know by leaving a comment and recipe rating below!
If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest – seeing your creations always makes my day. You can also subscribe to my email list to never miss a new recipe or nutrition education post!
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Breakfast Porridge With Sautéed Apples
Ingredients
Quinoa Porridge:
- 1/2 cup quinoa, dry
- 1 cup almond milk, unsweetened (or other milk of choice)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp cardamom
- 2 Tbsp raisins, unsweetened
- Pinch of salt
Sautéed Apples:
- 1 large apple, chopped (I used honeycrisp)
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Place dry quinoa in a sieve and rinse well to remove debris and outer layer of "saponins." Don't skip this step – it helps remove any bitterness!
- Add rinsed quinoa to a saucepan, along with milk, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, raisins, and salt. Stir well.
- Heat saucepan over high and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover and reduce heat. Allow to simmer for 15 minutes, or until all liquid has absorbed. At this point, turn off the heat and allow to steam (covered) for a couple minutes.
- While quinoa cooks, heat coconut oil in a separate pan over medium. Add apple chunks and sprinkle with cinnamon. Toss to combine and allow to cook for about 10 minutes, or until lightly browned and tender. Stir every minute or two to allow for even browning.
- Serve cooked quinoa in bowls and top with sautéed apples. Feel free to add any additional toppings (ideas below) and an extra splash of milk as desired. Enjoy hot!
Notes
- I personally found that the combination of raisins and cooked apples was the perfect amount of sweetness for this recipe, but if you’d like additional sweetness you can add a touch of maple syrup. Similarly, you can skip the raisins and use maple syrup (or another sweetener) in their place – just add the amount to reach your desired sweetness!
- You can use any milk or milk alternative that you’d like. I would just aim for an unsweetened one, if possible. I personally used almond milk.
- You can use any type of apple that you’d like, but my personal favourite is honeycrisp!
- If you don’t want to make this with apples (or if you want to change things up), simply swap them with fruit of your choice! This would be delicious with sliced bananas, fresh berries, pears (you can sauté those too), tropical fruits, etc.
- nut butters, like almond, peanut, cashew, or walnut butters. Just aim for an unsweetened one!
- seed butters, like sunflower seed or tahini.
- chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans.
- seeds, like pumpkin, hemp, or chia seeds.
- coconut flakes
Nutrition
As a dietitian, I create recipes with whole food ingredients that provide the nutrients needed for optimal health. My nutrition philosophy does not focus on numbers; however, I understand that this information can be helpful.
Do note that the nutrition info provided is an estimate and I cannot guarantee correctness of the displayed values. These numbers will differ depending on brands used, recipe modifications, and amount eaten. If you require specific nutrition information due to medical reasons, please consult with your dietitian or physician.
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a recipe rating below, or by tagging @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!
Pin it for later:
6 Comments on “Quinoa Breakfast Porridge With Sautéed Apples”
Delicious, warm and soothing breakfast! Definitely a keeper in my breakfast routine.
Hi Mary Lou! Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It’s so appreciated. I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this cozy breakfast 🙂
Delicious recipe, I had this for breakfast this morning and it kept me going for hours! Definitely a keeper recipe for me.
Hi Josee! That makes me so happy to hear. Thanks so much for sharing!! Feel free to switch up the apple toppings with other fruits when the seasons change – the base recipe would go well with a lot 🙂
This is really good! Both my husband and I loved it.
I’m so happy you and your husband enjoyed this one, Jossira!! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review 🙂