Loaded Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. + soaking Cook: 15 min.

Makes

1 serving

Updated: Oct. 26, 2023
After I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2001, I embarked on a journey to improve my diet and live a healthier lifestyle. I began developing recipes that were not only deliciously satisfying but also anti-inflammatory and highly nutritious. —Chantale Michaud, Guelph, Ontario
Loaded Quinoa Breakfast Bowl Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup water, divided
  • 1/4 cup tri-colored quinoa, rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons dried goji berries or dried cranberries
  • 1 small banana
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened blueberries
  • 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
  • 1 tablespoon slivered almonds
  • 1 tablespoon fresh pumpkin seeds
  • Optional: Additional unsweetened almond milk and maple syrup

Directions

  1. In a small saucepan, bring 1/2 cup water to a boil. Add quinoa. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until liquid is absorbed, 12-15 minutes. Meanwhile, soak berries in remaining water for 10 minutes; drain. Halve banana crosswise. Slice 1 banana half; mash the other.
  2. Remove quinoa from heat; fluff with a fork. Mix in mashed banana, almond milk, maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla. Transfer to an individual bowl; add blueberries, walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, banana slices and goji berries. If desired, serve with additional almond milk and maple syrup.

Test Kitchen tips
  • Quinoa contains a natural substance called saponin, which has a bitter taste. Most (but not all) packaged quinoa has been rinsed to remove this coating. If quinoa has not been pre-rinsed, simply rinse it under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer until the water runs clear.
  • Goji berries, also called wolfberries, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. They are an excellent source of antioxidants, beta carotene, iron and vitamin C.
  • Quite versatile, quinoa can be cooked as a breakfast porridge, used in a stir-fry or added to soups and stews.
  • Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) is a seed that is cooked and eaten like a grain. It contains all of the essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. Quinoa is also a good source of fiber, B-vitamins, calcium, potassium, magnesium, tryptophan and selenium.
  • Nutrition Facts

    1 serving: 475 calories, 13g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 83g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 10g fiber), 13g protein.