Maple Brown Sugar Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Talk about underrated! Quinoa for breakfast is NOT talked about enough. I’ve been upgrading my instant oatmeal to quinoa for some time and love the protein boost in the AM to keep me full until lunch! My variation of the quinoa breakfast bowl has the perfect balance with rich maple syrup, swirls of cinnamon, and melt-in-your-mouth brown sugar. This recipe is perfect for meal prepping and I’ll teach you how to easily double or triple it so you can have an easy reheat breakfast all week. Plus, it’s versatile—you can dress it up with toppings or keep it simple, and either way, it’s guaranteed to fuel your day in a way plain oatmeal just can’t.
I remember when I first heard of quinoa (gosh- maybe 10+ years ago?!) My newbie self didn’t even know how to say it right (btw – its keen-wah if you were also unsure). It’s funny though – quinoa is now one of my top ingredients.
I’ve gone from the basics (like my simple stovetop quinoa) to salads (like my refreshing quinoa salad) OR even a warm salad (like my fave warm roasted veggie quinoa salad).
But something I’ve never shared on my blog – breakfast recipes with quinoa?!
I actually discovered quinoa for breakfast a few years ago. I got sick of my basic oats and fell in LOVE with quinoa breakfast bowls. As a die-hard fan of maple brown sugar oatmeal, this quinoa version is even better AND higher in protein! Great for meal prep too!
Ingredients for Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
*See below for more information.
See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.
What type of quinoa should I use?
I generally use white quinoa because it has a milder flavor and will take on the flavors you add to it. You could try tricolor quinoa which could give you various flavors and textures (nutty, chewy, etc).
How to Make a Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
1. Combine in a saucepan
Add quinoa, milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt to a small or medium saucepan over MEDIUM heat. Bring to a gentle boil. (Reserve maple syrup and vanilla for the end).
2. Cook your quinoa
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until quinoa is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
3. Add remaining ingredients.
Once the quinoa is done cooking add maple syrup and vanilla. Stir well.
4. Serve warm
Spoon the mixture in a bowl. I love to top with more milk, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a little extra maple syrup. Add any other toppings you like! Enjoy!
How to Make a Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Any other chocolate fanatics out there? *raises hand* Sometimes I’m craving a chocolate addition to this quinoa bowl and add 1-2 tbsp of cocoa powder (depending on how chocolatey you like it). Sprinkle with some cacao nibs on top for an extra chocolate boost!
Variations of Breakfast Quinoa Bowl
Common Questions
You can put nuts, seeds, nut butters, fresh or dried fruit – so many options!
I personally love white quinoa because it has a mild flavor. You could also try tricolor quinoa as it has a variety of texture/flavor.
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Maple Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
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Ingredients
- ½ cup quinoa rinsed
- 1 cup unsweetened soy milk or milk of choice
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup plus extra for drizzling
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- Optional toppings: sliced banana, apple chunks, raisins, chia seeds, coconut flakes
Optional toppings
- sprinkle of brown sugar
- toasted pecans or walnuts
- fresh or dried fruit
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine quinoa, soy milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. (NOT maple syrup or vanilla yet). Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.½ cup quinoa, 1 cup unsweetened soy milk, 1 tbsp brown sugar, ¼ tsp ground cinnamon, Pinch of salt
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until quinoa is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat and stir in maple syrup and vanilla extract. Taste and adjust sweetness if desired.1 tbsp pure maple syrup, 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- Spoon quinoa into a bowl. Top with your favorite nuts, fruits, or seeds if you'd like. Sprinkle some extra brown sugar on top and/or a splash of milk.
Notes
- This recipe is great for leftovers! If you double it, I recommend decreasing the milk by 1/4 cup.
- Separate the quinoa into 4 containers (I try to stay away from plastic, esp for hot foods. I love these glass ones because they leave space for toppings)
- You can decrease the maple syrup or brown sugar content in this recipe to your liking. If you do, I recommend adding more cinnamon (and/or other spices like nutmeg) for more flavor.
- Add fruit for more natural sweetness
