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When I kept track of what I ate for a day (What This Pregnant Mama Eats) I totaled 74 grams of protein. Since then, my appetite has decreased so I think I’m eating less calories. Less overall calories most likely means less protein, so I’ve been making a conscious effort to add more protein to my diet in subtle ways.
One way is occasionally switching up my regular oatmeal breakfast with quinoa. I love the first quinoa breakfast recipe I posted last year, but wanted to try a version with seasonal apples.
With 14 grams per serving, this breakfast has double the protein of my regular oatmeal breakfast. It takes a little longer to make, but I don’t mind spending a few minutes longer preparing my breakfast. It’s my favorite meal of the day, after all, and the one that’s going to fuel my body from the get go. Make it count!
Nutty Apple Quinoa Breakfast
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Makes 2 large or 4 toddler-sized servings 1x
Description
A healthy breakfast that all ages will love
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry quinoa, rinsed
- 1 cup milk (I use almond milk, any milk will work)
- 1 cup water
- 1 medium apple, diced (I don’t peel)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped*
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the quinoa, milk, water, apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the liquid is absorbed, about 15-20 minutes.
- While the quinoa is cooking, heat your walnuts over medium heat in a dry skillet. Allow to toast until the nuts are fragrant and starting to brown, about 5 minutes.
- Top each serving of quinoa with some walnuts and serve. This dish reheats well, so you can store any leftovers in the refrigerator for a few days.
Notes
*Quinoa is a great food for older babies and young toddlers, but for babies under 1 or those with allergies in the family, you may want to omit the walnuts. Check with your doctor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 of 2 servings
- Calories: 382
- Sugar: 6g
- Fat: 8.5g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 6.59g
Enjoy!
Question: What’s your favorite way to get extra protein at breakfast time? I’d love to hear your ideas!
Beautiful recipe, I will try out this recipe soon..thank you sharing
I love peanut butter and jelly mixed with Greek yogurt and topped with granola:)
That sounds fantastic!
I just tried this this morning- my 14month old and I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely become a regular breakfast meal in our household!!
Great! Thanks for coming back and letting me know. 🙂
I love this recipe! For my day-job I work with a group of low-income families and I am going to prepare some quinoa recipes with them in our meeting tomorrow. I don’t have kids of my own, so I really appreciate your note that quinoa is good for older babies because I wasn’t sure about this. This is definitely a recipe I will share with them tomorrow. Thank you! 🙂
You’re welcome and thank you for sharing my recipe! 🙂
My toddler loves this quinoa recipe too! Thank you! Here’s my review:
http://kidtestedfirefighterapproved.com/2011/11/08/apple-cinnamon-breakfast-quinoa/
MMMMMM…..I love stuff like this for breakfast!!! perfect fall breakfast!
i love how quinoa gives that extra protein needed. I have to admit, i usually drink more protein. Meaning smoothies. It helps a lot for when I am not that hungry. Pump it up mama!
Maryea, I use my rice cooker to make quinoa! It is super easy! I put it on the brown rice mode and it is done in no time. Have you ever tried this?
No, I’ve never tried that. What a great idea! I’ll give it a try next time–thanks for the tip. 🙂
Yum! I’ve never tried quinoa for breakfast, but it looks like a nice change-up from oatmeal.
It definitely is. I like how it’s still a warm cereal-y type breakfast, but has the extra protein!
Quinoa is my abosolute favorite breakfast! I will take it just about any way you serve it but my favorite is mixed with Greek yogourt, cinnamon, agave, frozen blueberries, and sliced almonds. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I have added you to my favorites!
Hi Pam! Thank you. 🙂
This breakfast sounds so comforting! I love using leftover quinoa for breakfasts – so filling and a nice change from oats.
For extra protein in the morning, I usually mix some Sun Warrior into my oats or mix it with almond milk to make a paste/dip/spread. I also sometimes eat a slice of organic turkey bacon for a little boost 🙂
Sounds delicious. The last time I had quinoa for breakfast I used some leftover from the night before and added coconut milk, cinnamon and berries. After the first bite I remembered I cooked the quinoa in vegetable broth. I don’t recommend this combination. 🙂
I do think I need to start using apples in my breakfast more. I don’t know why my go-to fruit is always berries in the am, especially since apples are my favorite!
Very funny! I almost always cook my dinner quinoa with broth so leftovers don’t work well for breakfast over here, either. 🙂 I use berries more than apples or other fruit as toppings because they are generally quicker. (Right now I use frozen blueberries and raspberries, so no cutting involved)
I add egg whites to a lot of stuff. Oatmeal, etc. it makes it taste like French Toast.
PS- I love your Halloween costume! 🙂 Too funny!
Oooh I love French toast so I’ll bet that’s a great addition. I’ve never thought to add eggs to oatmeal. Interesting!
We add hemp seeds to our smoothies. We also have chia seeds for breakfast, yogurt parfait which includes walnuts and hemp seeds, omlettes with cheese. Yum! I will have to try this recipe with quinoa. Did your daughter like it?
Yes, Meghan does like quinoa for breakfast. She calls it “oatmeal” though. 🙂
It’s definitely tough to get a lot of protein in your diet! This breakfast is perfect to get you started for the day. I have yet to make breakfast using quinoa. Would love to try this on the weekend when I have more time!
I still have to learn to like quinoa! It is so good for you, I need to try this. I will buy some the next time I am at Whole Foods!
I think the texture is just okay, but I like the way it can take on any flavor. It makes it very versatile!
I add chia seeds and walnuts to my oatmeal or almond butter to my smoothies.
Yum! I hadn’t thought of having quinoa in the morning, but I guess that’s as good a time as any.
I add a dollop of greek yogurt to oatmeal- creamy + protein. 🙂 ….I’ll have to give this a try! I’m getting hungry before lunch, maybe this little switch would do the trick!