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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
It is high in proteins and fiber and enriched with antioxidants that help in making the immune system stronger. You are advised to consume quinoa more in comparison to oats as quinoa will provide more health benefits in low calories.
Is quinoa better for breakfast or dinner? ›
Quinoa is easy to make, and can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner! Quinoa can be found everywhere now, and takes about half the time to cook that does rice. Its grains are slightly nutty in taste and become fluffy with a small tail when cooked.
Is quinoa lower carb than oats? ›
Quinoa and oats contain similar kilojoule and protein content per 100g, less fat in quinoa, less carbohydrate in oats and just over four times more fibre in oats.
Can I substitute quinoa for oats? ›
You can substitute quinoa flakes in equal measure for rolled oats in just about any use.
What is healthier quinoa or oatmeal? ›
Oats contain macronutrients such as total carbohydrates, calcium, magnesium, total fat, proteins, saturated fats, iron, zinc, potassium, etc. Though both kinds of cereals are rich in nutrients, Quinoa is considered to be the healthier of the two.
What is the difference between quinoa and oatmeal? ›
The key differences in terms of nutrition are: Similar protein content BUT quinoa is a complete protein containing all essential amino acids while oatmeal is not. Both are great foods to add to your food mix. Plus both are good sources of fiber that help with digestion and with a sense of fullness.
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.
Is quinoa a protein or carb? ›
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.
What are the effects of eating quinoa everyday? ›
The fiber in quinoa can also help with cholesterol and blood sugar levels, lowering your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Quinoa is rich in antioxidants, which can prevent damage to your heart and other organs. A diet high in antioxidants has been linked with a decreased risk of heart disease.
Can diabetics eat quinoa? ›
The dietary fiber content in quinoa is also higher than the content for many other grains. This means that quinoa can be particularly beneficial for people with diabetes, since fiber and protein are considered important for keeping blood sugar under control.
In addition to its high carbohydrate and fiber content and low simple sugar concentration, quinoa is both nutrition-rich and associated with a low glycemic index, thus indicating that its consumption will raise blood sugar levels.
Why is quinoa so expensive? ›
While the cost of planting and sowing quinoa is not that expensive, the bulk of the cost for good quality quinoa goes into removing saponin, which is a toxic layer that protects the grain and gives it a very bitter taste.
What grain is better than quinoa? ›
While both provide excellent sources of fiber and protein, farro tops the charts and offers almost double the value compared to the same size serving of quinoa.
What grain is better than oats? ›
Quinoa. With its nutty taste, quinoa can provide you with plenty of protein and flavor in an oatmeal alternative. In addition to its impressive protein content, quinoa is loaded with fiber, iron, magnesium, and folate ( 3 ). Best of all, quinoa oatmeal can be super easy to make.
What do you eat quinoa with? ›
The quick-cooking grain is delicious cold in a salad, served warm as a side dish, or combined with vegetables and dairy to make a spectacular and filling main course. Read on for even more of our favorite quinoa recipes, from quinoa pancakes to crispy quinoa sliders.
Is it good to eat quinoa every day? ›
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.
What grains are healthier than oatmeal? ›
Here are the healthiest grains to eat, according to nutrition expert Malena Perdomo, MS, RDN, CDE.
- 01 of 13. Barley. Barley is traditionally served in soups, salads, grain bowls, and more. ...
- 02 of 13. Quinoa. ...
- 03 of 13. Amaranth. ...
- 04 of 13. Buckwheat. ...
- 05 of 13. Teff. ...
- 06 of 13. Oats. ...
- 07 of 13. Farro. ...
- 08 of 13. Bulgur Wheat.
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.
