Warm Quinoa Breakfast Bowl, Gluten and Dairy-free
If you crave something sweet for breakfast, this warm quinoa breakfast bowl is a delicious and surprisingly healthy way to indulge!
This warm bowl is made with 1 main powerful ingredient and you won’t believe it’s quinoa! Easy to cook and fulfilling, it is a must-try at home.
Reasons to adore this recipe
- Tastes like a treat and it is incredibly creamy. The coconut milk I use in this recipe makes it so thick and rich. And the quinoa becomes incredibly sweet in taste.
- 2-ingredients only.
- Easy to make : wash your quinoa, bring to a boil and cook for about 15 minutes.
- Meal prep option : make it the day before or during the weekend and warm it up in the morning. Add a splash of milk if needed and decorate !
What are the ingredients for this gluten-free, dairy-free, and plant-based bowl?
- Coconut milk (can): great for creaminess but still versatile. See below how to replace it.
- Quinoa: this is a great source of protein. I usually use white quinoa but you could go for a mix of white, black, and red quinoa (remember that black and red quinoa may absorb a little less coconut milk).
- Cinnamon: adding cinnamon may help you, like it helps me, avoid sweeteners in this recipe and enjoy its extra benefits.
- Fruits : whatever you like and is in season for extra vitamins.
- Protein addition : if you are still looking for more protein, you can add on top peanut butter, hemp seeds, and chia seeds.
How to make this breakfast bowl?
Start by rinsing the quinoa and add it to a small pan.
Rinsing the quinoa is an important step as it helps to remove the bitter taste, and it makes it easier to digest for some.
Bring the quinoa with 2 cups of coconut milk to a boil, reduce the heat to low temperature and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring regularly. The quinoa is cooked when it is tender and the liquid mostly absorbed (but not completely). The quinoa will firm up while cooling.
Divide into 2 bowls and decorate (or keep in the fridge for the day after). If this is a prep meal, you might want to add some extra plant-based milk or yogurt the day after and warm it up quickly.
Can I replace the coconut milk in a can for this bowl recipe and is there a special tip?
You can easily substitute the coconut milk in this quinoa breakfast bowl recipe with 2 cups of your favorite plant-based milk, like almond or oat milk.
In this case, for extra creaminess, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of vegan yogurt when you divide the quinoa into bowls (or just before serving).
Top Tip about cinnamon
Is cinnamon a healthy spice? Not all cinnamon are equal! Cinnamon from Ceylon is the best cinnamon you can find. It means “true cinnamon” and is native to Sri Lanka and South India.
On the other side, Cassia cinnamon is from South China, very cheap and is very low in quality (and with less benefits).
For example, cinnamon in general is known to help to control insulin levels. Thanks to the cinnamon, your body should be able to use your carbohydrate storage, so that they do not turn into excess fat.
I really like to use Ceylon cinnamon for its nutrients and it is a smart way I’ve found to avoid adding sugar in my sweet or dessert recipes. Try it out and add cinnamon regularly to your meals.
More breakfast ideas or healthy bowls
Variety is key. So changing your breakfast routine is just great. You can start your day right with a smoothie bowl, a chia pudding, or an easy yogurt made of tofu too. I have done a breakfast selection you’ll be obsessed with:
Colorful blueberry smoothie bowl
Healthy warm quinoa breakfast bowl and…
Creamy, fresh, warming, gorgeous and delicious!
– Healthy greetings from Laetitia –
Warm Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups coconut milk , from can
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup fresh and seasonal fruits, cut into pieces : few blueberries and 1 yellow plum
- 1 tbsp maple syrup or coconut nectar , if needed
Instructions
- Wash and drain the quinoa thoroughly. Add to a small pan.
- Bring the quinoa with the coconut milk and the cinnamon to a boil, uncovered. Lower the heat (to 2 or 3) and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring continuously (or until the quinoa is tender and the texture is creamy). The quinoa will firm up as it cools.
- Divide the warm quinoa among 2 bowls and add some natural sweetener if you want.
- Top your bowls with fruits of your choice or blueberries and yellow plum slices. Serve immediately!
