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Six Ingredient Breakfast Quinoa

Vegan, high-protein and low-effort, this easy recipe for breakfast quinoa is everything we want breakfast to be. Top it with fresh berries and call the day kicked off!

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breakfast quinoa made with coconut milk, maple syrup, vanilla, salt and fresh berries in a bowl

The Most Important Meal of the Day: Breakfast Quinoa Edition

You people know that we’re breakfast lovers. While we love a great, indulgent brunch as much as the next person, we need a reset now and then, too. Plus, it feels so good to start the day with a super healthy bowl of something steamy and warm. For years, that bowl was full of oatmeal, but lately we’ve been mixing it up with a quinoa breakfast porridge! While a lot of us discovered quinoa as a dinnertime food, maybe as the base for a protein-loaded quinoa bowl or as a healthier stand in for rice, there’s no reason this superfood doesn’t deserve a spot on your breakfast table. Simmered in the non-dairy milk of your choice—we love coconut milk, but almond milk or even hemp milk are all delicious, too—this breakfast quinoa recipe makes for an easy and body-boosting vegan breakfast that warms and nourishes like none other.

raspberries, blueberries, cinnamon, maple syrup, quinoa salt, vanilla and coconut milk

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Deliciously Nutritious: All About Quinoa

Though we often talk about it as a whole grain, quinoa is actually a high-protein seed. It's available in lots of colors—white, black, yellow and even red—and for this breakfast quinoa recipe you can use whatever color you like. Even a colorful blend! It's super nutritious—yes, even more healthy than oatmeal. Not only is quinoa high in protein, but it's a complete protein—if you're vegan, you're probably always on the look out for those!—meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. It's also high in fiber, gluten-free and easy to digest. What a way to start the day, right? Top it off with some berries and nuts, and you'll be riding a deliciously nutritious high all day.

quinoa and coconut milk in a small pot for breakfast
breakfast quinoa made with coconut milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and maple syrup in a small pot

6 Ingredients + 15 Minutes = A Vegan Superfood Breakfast

This healthy, easy breakfast starts simple, and can be served as-is or dressed up into a quinoa breakfast bowl by loading it up with whatever toppings you have on-hand or love most. To begin with though, all you’ll need are six basic ingredients:

  • Quinoa. Any color!
  • Plant-based milk. Any kind! We love to make this vegan breakfast recipe with creamy coconut milk, but it also works with almond milk, hemp milk, oat milk or cashew milk. Whatever you prefer.
  • Cinnamon
  • Salt
  • Vanilla
  • Maple syrup
quinoa breakfast with coconut milk in a small pot with a wooden spoon

Make It A Quinoa Breakfast Bowl!

Offering an array of toppings can take this simple, soothing breakfast into the realm of something you could serve to guests—mix up a big batch on a morning when you’ve got houseguests who are sure to wake up hungry and you’ve got a no-stress meal that suits almost any dietary need! Because this recipe is naturally vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free, it really does cover almost all bases. Then, set out a handful of toppings choices to make it a little fun for people. Try topping your quinoa breakfast porridge with:

  • Fresh berries
  • Fresh mango slices
  • Peach slices
  • Chopped, toasted almonds
  • Coconut flakes
  • Dried fruits
breakfast quinoa made with coconut milk, maple syrup, vanilla, salt and fresh berries in a bowl

How To Make Breakfast Quinoa Porridge

If you’ve made oatmeal, you can make quinoa for breakfast! Actually, if you’ve ever cooked any grain, you can make this quinoa recipe—the process will be super familiar. Here’s how easy it is to make:

  1. Bring the non-dairy milk to a boil.
  2. Add the quinoa.
  3. Simmer the quinoa in the coconut milk (or whatever milk you choose) for about 15 minutes.
  4. Stir in the cinnamon, vanilla, pinch of salt and maple syrup.
  5. Eat the quinoa!
quinoa for breakfast recipe made with coconut milk, maple syrup, vanilla, salt and fresh berries in a bowl

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More Quinoa Recipes to Try

quinoa breakfast made with coconut milk, maple syrup, vanilla, salt and fresh berries in a bowl

Quinoa Breakfast, A Healthy Start

A healthy start to the day is the key to sticking to healthier eating goals, and we hope this filling, satisfying breakfast quinoa helps you start the day on the right foot! If you make it, let us know how you like it! Share a photo and tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper so that we can see your stuff! Happy eating!

Six Ingredient Breakfast Quinoa

  • Serves: 4
  • Prep Time:  10 min
  • Cook Time:  20 min
  • Calories: 210

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 2 cups coconut milk (or any other plant based milk)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 2 tbsp pure maple syrup

Method

  1. Using a fine mesh strainer, rinse the quinoa.
  2. Bring the milk to a boil in a medium sized pot over medium-high heat.
  3. Add the quinoa and bring back up to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover with a lid and simmer for 15-20 minutes until most of the milk has been absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
  4. Stir in the cinnamon, salt, vanilla and maple syrup until fully combined.
  5. Serve with fresh fruit, toasted nuts or coconut flakes, cream, milk or extra syrup for added sweetness.

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories210
  • Protein6 g
  • Carbohydrates35 g
  • Total Fat5 g
  • Dietary Fiber4 g
  • Cholesterol0 mg
  • sodium59 mg
  • Total Sugars7 g

Six Ingredient Breakfast Quinoa

Questions & Reviews

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  • Sebastian

    For the vanilla, is that referring to two teaspoons of vanilla extract or is it the bean itself that should be added in? Thanks in advance!

    That is extract, hope you enjoy Sebastian!

  • Joy

    What are the measurements for a double batch? Thank you

    2 cup quinoa, rinsed, 4 cups coconut milk (or any other plant based milk)
    2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 4 tsp vanilla, 4 tbsp pure maple syrup

  • Sandy

    Could I make the quinoa like overnight oats?

    No, it needs to be cooked. Hope you enjoy!

  • Melinda

    Can you substitute brown sugar for the maple syrup?

    Sure!

  • Amanda

    Is that vanilla powder or vanilla extract?

    Vanilla extract. Hope you enjoy Amanda!

  • Sandy

    Delicious!

    Thanks Sandy!

  • Dana

    It’s so good! I was pleasantly surprised.

    Thanks Dana, so glad you enjoyed it!

  • Jenn

    This is like a hug in a bowl. Such a comforting breakfast.

    Thank you! We are happy you love it!