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Published: January 11, 2020 Last Updated: June 22, 2022
Healthy breakfast recipes made easy? Yes, please!
Mornings can be hectic, especially if you’re trying to fit in a workout before work. Sometimes, it seems like skipping breakfast is the only option. But we all know it’s the most important meal of the day! Kick-starting your metabolism with a healthy breakfast is the best way to lose weight (and keep it off). That means you need a few quick and easy breakfast recipes to keep up with your busy morning. This Easy Oatmeal & Quinoa Recipe is ideal for days when you’re in a big hurry!
Give yourself a boost of energy and set yourself up for success with a hearty bowl of oatmeal and quinoa. Like many recipes, this one can be tweaked to fit your taste buds, so don’t fret if you don’t like walnuts or don’t have any blueberries on hand! We’ll tell you about our favorite additions to this easy oatmeal bowl in a minute, but first, we want to give you a few tips to make this breakfast as quickly as possible.
Tips for Making this Easy Oatmeal Recipe On-The-Go
Even though you can make this recipe in only 8 minutes, we know there are mornings where you don’t even have 10 minutes to spare! So we wanted to give you some advice to make this easy oatmeal recipe even more quickly.
I love making enough quinoa to last an entire week (which is easy because one cup of uncooked quinoa creates three cooked cups). Typically, I’ll cook up 1 cup dry quinoa with 2 cups wateron the weekend while I’m meal prepping. Then, Iallow it to cool before storing it in an air-tight container in the fridge.
Quinoa is fantastic in oatmeal, on salads, or all by itself! When I have cooked quinoa on hand, it’s that much easier to make breakfast on-the-fly. I also use it as a base for my lunch power bowls along with a few roasted vegetables, and I’ve even been known to add a handful into my vegetarian chili for dinner. It’s a great way to amp-up the plant-based protein in any dish.
You can also save extra time by preparing the oats, water, and almond milk in advance. Simply place them in a pot, cover it with a lid, and store it in the fridge. In the morning, you can pull it out and cook it on the stovetop. It might only save you a few minutes, but if that means you get a few extra minutes of sleep it’s so worth it!
Additions to the Base Recipe
This is recipe is super creamy and filling on its own without adding anything, but sometimes we like to switch things up a bit. There’s no need to add any sugar, maple syrup, or honey. The ripe banana gives this bowl just the right amount of sweetness! But, if you want to have some fun with the recipe, here are some of my favorite additions to the base recipe:
- 1/4 cup applesauce
- 1 tablespoon ground sunflower or pumpkin seeds
- 1 tablespoon nut butter
- 1/4 cup cooked sweet potato
- 1/4 cup raisins
Play around with the ingredients and let us know your favorites in the comments below! We can’t wait for you to try this incredible Easy Oatmeal & Quinoa Recipe, just be warned: you’ll be hooked after the first bite!
Why this Oatmeal & Quinoa Recipe is a Winner
This creamy oatmeal makes for a filling breakfast to kickstart your day. Add toppings or dig in as-is for a nutritious meal.
Review Recipe PIN RECIPE Print Recipe
Prep Time 1 minute minute
Cook Time 7 minutes minutes
Total Time 8 minutes minutes
Yield 2
Serving Size 2 cups
Review Recipe PIN RECIPE Print Recipe
Ingredients
Base recipe:
- 1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup almond milk unsweetened
- 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
Additions:
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1 very ripe banana large
- 2 tablespoons ground chia seeds optional flax meal
- 1/4 cup diced walnuts
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
Add oats, water, and almond milk to a pot, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook on a low boil for 5 minutes.
Thoroughly mash banana with a fork.
Add remaining ingredients, stir and cover. Allow to set 2 minutes then serve. ENJOY!
Nutrition Information
Serving: 2cups | Calories: 329kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 64mg | Potassium: 469mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 38IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 153mg | Iron: 3mg |
SmartPoints (Freestyle): 7
Keywords Budget-Friendly, Quick and Easy, Vegetarian
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FAQs
Quinoa and Oatmeal Micronutrient Content
Iron promotes red blood cell function, while magnesium contributes to healthy bones and teeth. Both oatmeal and quinoa serve as excellent sources of folate, or vitamin B-9, a nutrient that supports your metabolism and plays a role in mental health.
Is quinoa better than oatmeal for diabetics? ›
Quinoa generally has a low glycemic index score, making it a favorable choice for those concerned about blood sugar levels. The GI of oatmeal can range from low to moderate, depending on factors such as the processing method and the type of oats.
Is quinoa better for breakfast or dinner? ›
Quinoa is the ultimate breakfast food. 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.
What is the nutritional value of quinoa porridge? ›
1 serving of quinoa porridge contains 250 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 81% carbs, 10% fat, and 9% protein. This is a good source of fiber (26% of your Daily Value), potassium (14% of your Daily Value), and magnesium (22% of your Daily Value).
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.
What does quinoa do to your gut? ›
Studies suggest quinoa may improve gut health by enhancing the diversity of beneficial gut bacteria and reducing the inflammatory symptoms of conditions like colitis. Acting as a prebiotic, quinoa supplies the fuel for beneficial gut bacteria, allowing them to thrive.
Can I eat quinoa everyday? ›
You can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day. You should avoid eating it if you experience stomachache, itchiness or vomiting after consuming it. A study by Harvard Public School of Health has reported that eating a bowl of quinoa daily is healthy and without any side effects.
Will quinoa spike blood sugar? ›
Quinoa has a glycemic index of around 53, meaning it won't cause as dramatic a spike in blood sugar. This is because it contains fiber and protein, both of which slow the digestion process. Most grains don't have all the amino acids needed to make a protein.
Is quinoa a carb or protein? ›
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.
Toss it in salads.
Quinoa is a complete source of protein and makes a great addition to a healthy salad. The combination of fiber, protein and healthy fats can turn a light side salad into a robust entrée.
What is the best time to eat quinoa? ›
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 really a super food? ›
Nicknamed a “superfood,” quinoa is a complete source of protein, which means it contains all nine amino acids, and it's also a great source of fiber (it contains more than any other grain) and heart-healthy fats.
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.
Is quinoa the healthiest food in the world? ›
Often considered one of the world's healthiest foods, quinoa is a powerhouse of nutrition that offers an array of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals in every serving. Interestingly enough, the quinoa pronunciation (keen-wah) isn't the only source of confusion when it comes to this incredible ingredient.
What are the benefits of quinoa and oats? ›
Both oats and Quinoa are rich in plant-based proteins, and dietary fibres. They also are rich in antioxidants and micronutrients, have low calorific value and maintain healthy blood sugar levels well. So, consuming them reduces the craving for junk food and keeps you energetic throughout the day.
Do I have to rinse quinoa? ›
Some people are particularly sensitive to saponins, which is why unrinsed cooked quinoa has a reputation for tasting bitter. However, most quinoa that is sold in packages has been "pre-rinsed," which means the saponins have been removed and rinsing isn't necessary.
What type of quinoa is best? ›
If you've never eaten quinoa, Foroutan suggests trying white quinoa first because it has the mildest taste. Or you might look for a blend of red, black, and white quinoa to get as many antioxidants as possible; levels of these beneficial ingredients vary according to the color of the seeds (red has the highest levels).
What can you add to quinoa to make it taste better? ›
What can I add to quinoa after it's cooked? In addition to more of the spices, salt and pepper, or squeeze of citrus, fresh herbs such as cilantro, basil, and mint work beautifully with this spiced quinoa.
Is quinoa healthy or fattening? ›
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.
Eat oatmeal. Research shows that a daily bowl of oatmeal can lower your levels of total cholesterol and artery-clogging bad cholesterol. (High cholesterol levels can be a contributing factor to heart disease.) Those oats can work pretty quickly, too, notes Czerwony.
What is the healthiest thing to put on oatmeal? ›
Additions to make it healthier
Here are some foods to pair with oatmeal to bolster its protein or fat content: a couple of spoonfuls of nut butter, nuts, or seeds. a scoop of protein powder. beaten egg whites (mixed into oatmeal while cooking) or a fried egg on top.
Is quinoa actually a Superfood? ›
Nicknamed a “superfood,” quinoa is a complete source of protein, which means it contains all nine amino acids, and it's also a great source of fiber (it contains more than any other grain) and heart-healthy fats.
