Why this Oatmeal & Quinoa Recipe is a Winner (2024)

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4.50 from 2 votes

by Gale Compton

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Published: January 11, 2020 Last Updated: June 22, 2022

Healthy breakfast recipes made easy? Yes, please!

Why this Oatmeal & Quinoa Recipe is a Winner (2)

Mornings can be hectic, especially if you’re trying to fit in a workout before work. Sometimes, it seems like skipping breakfast is the only option. But we all know it’s the most important meal of the day! Kick-starting your metabolism with a healthy breakfast is the best way to lose weight (and keep it off). That means you need a few quick and easy breakfast recipes to keep up with your busy morning. This Easy Oatmeal & Quinoa Recipe is ideal for days when you’re in a big hurry!

Give yourself a boost of energy and set yourself up for success with a hearty bowl of oatmeal and quinoa. Like many recipes, this one can be tweaked to fit your taste buds, so don’t fret if you don’t like walnuts or don’t have any blueberries on hand! We’ll tell you about our favorite additions to this easy oatmeal bowl in a minute, but first, we want to give you a few tips to make this breakfast as quickly as possible.

Tips for Making this Easy Oatmeal Recipe On-The-Go

Why this Oatmeal & Quinoa Recipe is a Winner (3)

Even though you can make this recipe in only 8 minutes, we know there are mornings where you don’t even have 10 minutes to spare! So we wanted to give you some advice to make this easy oatmeal recipe even more quickly.

I love making enough quinoa to last an entire week (which is easy because one cup of uncooked quinoa creates three cooked cups). Typically, I’ll cook up 1 cup dry quinoa with 2 cups wateron the weekend while I’m meal prepping. Then, Iallow it to cool before storing it in an air-tight container in the fridge.

Quinoa is fantastic in oatmeal, on salads, or all by itself! When I have cooked quinoa on hand, it’s that much easier to make breakfast on-the-fly. I also use it as a base for my lunch power bowls along with a few roasted vegetables, and I’ve even been known to add a handful into my vegetarian chili for dinner. It’s a great way to amp-up the plant-based protein in any dish.

You can also save extra time by preparing the oats, water, and almond milk in advance. Simply place them in a pot, cover it with a lid, and store it in the fridge. In the morning, you can pull it out and cook it on the stovetop. It might only save you a few minutes, but if that means you get a few extra minutes of sleep it’s so worth it!

Additions to the Base Recipe

Why this Oatmeal & Quinoa Recipe is a Winner (4)

This is recipe is super creamy and filling on its own without adding anything, but sometimes we like to switch things up a bit. There’s no need to add any sugar, maple syrup, or honey. The ripe banana gives this bowl just the right amount of sweetness! But, if you want to have some fun with the recipe, here are some of my favorite additions to the base recipe:

  • 1/4 cup applesauce
  • 1 tablespoon ground sunflower or pumpkin seeds
  • 1 tablespoon nut butter
  • 1/4 cup cooked sweet potato
  • 1/4 cup raisins

Play around with the ingredients and let us know your favorites in the comments below! We can’t wait for you to try this incredible Easy Oatmeal & Quinoa Recipe, just be warned: you’ll be hooked after the first bite!

4.50 from 2 votes

Why this Oatmeal & Quinoa Recipe is a Winner

This creamy oatmeal makes for a filling breakfast to kickstart your day. Add toppings or dig in as-is for a nutritious meal.

Review Recipe PIN RECIPE Print Recipe

Prep Time 1 minute minute

Cook Time 7 minutes minutes

Total Time 8 minutes minutes

Yield 2

Serving Size 2 cups

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Author Gale Compton

Why this Oatmeal & Quinoa Recipe is a Winner (5)

Review Recipe PIN RECIPE Print Recipe

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Base recipe:

  • 1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/3 cup almond milk unsweetened
  • 1/2 cup cooked quinoa

Additions:

  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  • 1 very ripe banana large
  • 2 tablespoons ground chia seeds optional flax meal
  • 1/4 cup diced walnuts
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

  • Add oats, water, and almond milk to a pot, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook on a low boil for 5 minutes.

  • Thoroughly mash banana with a fork.

  • Add remaining ingredients, stir and cover. Allow to set 2 minutes then serve. ENJOY!

Nutrition Information

Serving: 2cups | Calories: 329kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 64mg | Potassium: 469mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 38IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 153mg | Iron: 3mg |

SmartPoints (Freestyle): 7

Keywords Budget-Friendly, Quick and Easy, Vegetarian

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Why this Oatmeal & Quinoa Recipe is a Winner (2024)

FAQs

Is quinoa a good substitute for oatmeal? ›

With its nutty taste, quinoa can provide you with plenty of protein and flavor in an oatmeal alternative. In addition to its impressive protein content, quinoa is loaded with fiber, iron, magnesium, and folate ( 3 ). Best of all, quinoa oatmeal can be super easy to make.

What is quinoa used for in cooking? ›

Quinoa can be used in the same way as rice and is great in stuffings, pilafs and breakfast cereals. Try quinoa porridge, and quinoa & apricot muffins. For an alterntative roast, try stuffed butternut squash with quinoa or for a summery salad, try California quinoa & avocado salad.

Is quinoa better for breakfast or dinner? ›

Quinoa is the ultimate breakfast food. Not only is it packed with protein and fiber, but it's also a complex carbohydrate meaning it digests more slowly in your body. So if you're like me and you hate feeling famished mid-morning, quinoa is a great thing to add to your daily breakfast routine.

What is the nutritional value of quinoa porridge? ›

1 serving of quinoa porridge contains 250 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 81% carbs, 10% fat, and 9% protein. This is a good source of fiber (26% of your Daily Value), potassium (14% of your Daily Value), and magnesium (22% of your Daily Value).

Why is quinoa better than oatmeal? ›

Quinoa comes out ahead when it comes to its magnesium content — it offers 118 milligrams per serving, compared to oatmeal's 61 milligrams — but oatmeal offers more than five times the amount of iron found in quinoa. Magnesium and iron allow your cells to produce energy.

What is the difference between quinoa and oatmeal? ›

Quinoa contains macronutrients such as monounsaturated fat, saturated fat, lactose, maltose, glucose, polyunsaturated fat, and starch. Oats contain macronutrients such as total carbohydrates, calcium, magnesium, total fat, proteins, saturated fats, iron, zinc, potassium, etc.

Why should you soak quinoa before cooking? ›

*Soaking grains helps to remove some of the naturally occurring phytic acid in the grain, which helps improve digestibility and speed cook time. To soak: Rinse quinoa thoroughly then add to a large mixing bowl or pot and cover with twice the amount of lukewarm water (2 cups water, 1 cup quinoa).

Does quinoa spike blood sugar? ›

Quinoa has a glycemic index of around 53, so it won't cause a dramatic spike in blood sugar. It also has a high fiber content which can be particularly beneficial for people with diabetes. Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) has recently become popular in the United States as a nutritional powerhouse.

Is quinoa meant to be eaten hot or cold? ›

Quinoa can be used for everything from a complete hot dish to a quick cold recipe! As a pioneer of the sacred seed, Priméal reveals all the grain's secrets for a healthier diet.

Can I eat oats and quinoa everyday? ›

According to The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), there are some foods which should be eaten in proper moderation. Even the healthy food items like quinoa and oatmeal can be harmful to your health, if not taken in moderation.

How many times a week should I eat quinoa? ›

You can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day. You should avoid eating it if you experience stomachache, itchiness or vomiting after consuming it. A study by Harvard Public School of Health has reported that eating a bowl of quinoa daily is healthy and without any side effects.

Is quinoa a protein or carb? ›

Quinoa is considered a carbohydrate because it contains many carbs per serving. Although it contains some protein, the macronutrient distribution is closer to what you find in other grains and starches.

What are 3 health benefits of eating quinoa? ›

Quinoa's health benefits
  • Boost your digestive health. Most Americans don't get the recommended amount of dietary fiber, which keeps your digestion running smoothly. ...
  • Cut your colon cancer risk. ...
  • Help control your hunger. ...
  • Lower your risk of diabetes. ...
  • Quinoa allergy and reactions.
Jun 29, 2023

How many times a day should you eat quinoa? ›

Quinoa can be consumed anytime – at breakfast, lunch or dinner. But it is best to eat healthy food like quinoa before going to bed. It induces sleep, because it relaxes the muscles, due to its high magnesium and protein content. “One can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day.

Is quinoa actually a superfood? ›

Beyond being a delicious, satisfying, and versatile addition to both savory and sweet dishes, quinoa is a nutritional powerhouse that's rightly earned its spot in the superfood hall of fame. “Quinoa is in a league of its own when it comes to whole grains.

What is a good replacement for oatmeal? ›

Alternative to oats for breakfast
  • Chia seeds. These tiny seeds have a mild nutty flavour and a gel-like texture when soaked in liquid. ...
  • Quinoa. Quinoa is a whole grain with a nutty flavour and fluffy texture when cooked. ...
  • Brown rice. ...
  • Buckwheat. ...
  • Barley.

What's a better alternative to oatmeal? ›

Quinoa high fiber porridge

Quinoa is a great oatmeal alternative as it has rich protein and fiber contents, which help keep you satiated and slow the rise of your blood sugar post-meal. One cup of cooked quinoa packs about 40 grams of carbs, 8 grams of protein, 5 grams of dietary fiber and 3 grams of healthy fats.

Is quinoa or oatmeal better for weight loss? ›

Both oatmeal and quinoa are incredibly healthy ingredients that should be consumed as part of a well-balanced diet. They are both a great option for weight loss because they are both excellent sources of fiber, which means you'll feel full longer and need to eat less often.

Does quinoa have less carbs than oatmeal? ›

Quinoa and oats contain similar kilojoule and protein content per 100g, less fat in quinoa, less carbohydrate in oats and just over four times more fibre in oats.

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