Description
Start your day with a warm cinnamon apple quinoa bowl packed with comforting spices and fresh seasonal apples for a healthy breakfast option.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups water or unsweetened almond milk
- 1 large apple, diced (use seasonal apple like Honeycrisp or Fuji)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Combine quinoa, water or almond milk, and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- While quinoa cooks, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add diced apples and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened.
- Stir in cinnamon and nutmeg into the apples and cook for another minute. Remove from heat.
- Once quinoa is cooked, fluff with a fork and stir in maple syrup and vanilla extract.
- Gently fold in the spiced apples.
- Serve quinoa bowls topped with chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch.
Notes
- Use steel-cut oats or millet instead of quinoa for variation.
- Swap walnuts for pecans or almonds.
- Add a dollop of Greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt on top.
- Stir in raisins or dried cranberries for extra sweetness.
- Use coconut sugar instead of maple syrup.
- Rinse quinoa well before cooking to remove bitterness.
- Use firm apples to retain texture after cooking.
- Toast nuts lightly to enhance flavor before adding.
- Prepare quinoa in advance to speed up breakfast prep.
- Adjust spices to taste for a more intense cinnamon flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Reheat gently in the microwave or stovetop, adding a splash of almond milk if needed.
- Add fresh toppings after reheating to maintain texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American