4.71 24 Published Jan 13, 2023, Updated Nov 21, 2023 In the past I’ve made this cinnamon quinoa breakfast bowl and strawberry quinoa parfait, so I knew quinoa could turn out tasty in breakfast recipes, it was just a matter of figuring out the right measurements to create a breakfast bake that would hold together. After some trial and error, I finally landed on this recipe I’m sharing with you today. It’s loaded with fresh berries and plant-based protein and has a delicious nutty flavor with a subtle sweetness thanks to the maple syrup. I can’t wait for you to try it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s made with quinoa instead of rolled oats! Packed with plant-based protein. One serving has 6 grams of protein! Can easily be customized with your favorite toppings and mix-ins. Perfect for meal prep! Vegan, dairy-free + gluten-free.
Quinoa 101
Quinoa is one of my favorite grains, even though it’s actually a seed, I think of it as a grain because it’s prepared similarly to grains like rice and barley. In terms of taste, quinoa has a mild, nutty, earthy taste similar to brown rice. Not only is it high in protein, but the protein that it supplies is complete, meaning it includes all nine essential amino acids. Plus, it’s gluten-free, which is perfect for those avoiding wheat and gluten. Let’s take a look at what makes quinoa so great:
a good source of plant-based protein – one cup has 8 grams, the same amount that is in a cup of whole milk! a complete protein – which means it has all nine essential amino acids including lysine… a rare find when it comes to plant-based foods. high in fiber – one cup of cooked quinoa has 5 grams of fiber. There are a ton of health benefits of a fiber-rich diet including healthy digestion, prevention of heart disease, lower cholesterol levels and better-controlled blood sugar levels. Fiber also helps to keep you feeling full, which can help with weight loss. rich in vitamins – quinoa is a good source of B vitamins (over 10% of the RDA for vitamins B1, B2 and B6), vitamin E and a variety of antioxidants. rich in minerals – quinoa is a good source of minerals including manganese, phosphorus, copper, folate, iron, magnesium, and zinc. naturally gluten-free – making it great for anyone who is celiac or needs to avoid gluten in their diet.
Ingredients Needed
white quinoa – we’re swapping rolled oats for dry, uncooked quinoa in this recipe. Quinoa packs a nutritional punch and makes this recipe gluten-free and safe for those who can’t consume oats. You can use any type of quinoa you prefer, although white quinoa is generally the most commonly used and readily available, but feel free to experiment with different types of quinoa. My fave brand is the Ancient Harvest organic white quinoa. ground flaxseed – helps to bind everything together! I tested this recipe without the flaxseed and the bake didn’t hold together as nicely. maple syrup – since the quinoa has such a nutty flavor, I find that it needs some sweetness to balance it out. I found that maple syrup is the perfect sweetener for this recipe. Just make sure to grab pure maple syrup and not the artificial kind labeled “pancake syrup” and made from corn syrup… NOT the same! unsweetened almond milk – I prefer to use unsweetened almond milk, but coconut milk, oat milk or any non-dairy milk will work. bananas – add some natural sweetness and helps to bind everything together. If you don’t have ripe bananas on hand you can use applesauce instead. coconut oil – to add moisture. cinnamon – adds a warm, spicy flavor to the baked quinoa and complements the sweetness of the maple syrup. baking powder – helps the quinoa bake to rise and gives it an even more fluffy texture. vanilla extract – a flavor enhancer! salt – helps bring all the ingredients together. fresh berries – I used fresh blueberries and strawberries, but your favorite variety of fresh berries will work just fine. toppings – my go-to toppings are maple syrup, fresh berries and nut butter, but feel free to add your favorite toppings!
How to Make
This quinoa breakfast bake recipe is pretty straight-forward and easy to make! Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 8×8 pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl combine all the ingredients except for the berries and toppings. Stir well to combine. Add berries and gently stir everything together once more. Pour quinoa mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until quinoa is golden brown and the center is cooked through. Remove from the oven, let cool, cut into slices and serve with a drizzle of nut butter, maple syrup and fresh berries.
What to Serve With Quinoa Bake
This quinoa breakfast bake is the perfect recipe to serve at brunch or meal prep for a quick and easy breakfast throughout the week. It’s a hearty dish on its own, but can also be paired with a variety of foods for a more filling breakfast! Here are some ideas:
Spinach Quiche, Egg White Omelette, Baked Egg Muffins or Hard Boiled Eggs Green Protein Smoothie or Blueberry Smoothie Easy Fruit Salad or Easy Breakfast Salad Cold Brew Coffee, Iced Matcha Latte or Healthy Frappuccino
How to Store And Reheat
This “baked oatmeal” is a great meal prep recipe. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When freezing, I recommend cutting the quinoa bake into portions, wrapping each in plastic wrap and placing the portions in a large freezer bag. The individual servings make it easier to reheat. To reheat the entire pan: cover with foil and reheat in the oven at 350ºF for about 20 minutes or until warm. To reheat individual portions: set oven or toaster oven to 350ºF and bake for 5-10 minutes. You can also reheat in the microwave for 1 minute. Once warm, add your toppings and enjoy!
More Breakfast Recipes
Vegetarian Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole Dairy-Free Spinach Quiche Egg White Bites (Starbucks Copycat) Baked Egg Muffins Egg White Omelette Sausage Egg Casserole with Veggies Easy Baked Oatmeal Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls French Toast Bake Scrambled Oats Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
More Quinoa Recipes
How to Cook Quinoa Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Bowl Easy Quinoa Salad Greek Quinoa Salad Strawberry Quinoa Parfait Quinoa Vegetable Soup Sweet Potato Quinoa Cakes Quinoa Fried “Rice”
Be sure to check out all of the quinoa recipes as well as the full collection of breakfast recipes on EBF!
