Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Bowl (Printable Version)

A comforting bowl of quinoa with sweet apples and cinnamon to begin your morning right.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed

→ Liquids

02 - 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
03 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Fruit

04 - 1 large apple, peeled, cored, and diced

→ Sweeteners & Spices

05 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
08 - Pinch of salt

→ Toppings

09 - 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans
10 - 1 tablespoon raisins or dried cranberries
11 - Extra apple slices, for garnish (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa, almond milk, vanilla extract, diced apple, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
02 - Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until quinoa is tender and mixture is creamy.
03 - Remove from heat and let stand for 2–3 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
04 - Divide into bowls. Top with chopped walnuts or pecans, raisins or dried cranberries, and optional apple slices. Drizzle with additional maple syrup to taste.
05 - Serve warm for a nourishing start to your day.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's warm and filling without weighing you down, thanks to the protein-packed quinoa that keeps you energized.
  • The cinnamon and maple syrup combo tastes like dessert for breakfast, but you won't feel guilty about it.
  • Ready in under 30 minutes, and most of that time you're just letting it simmer while you shower or check your phone.
02 -
  • Always rinse your quinoa—I learned this the hard way by serving a batch with a bitter aftertaste that nobody enjoyed.
  • The creaminess comes from the quinoa releasing its starches into the milk, so stirring occasionally really does matter and gives you that risotto-like texture.
  • If your bowl seems too thick, a splash more milk loosens it right up, but if it's too thin, it'll keep absorbing liquid as it sits.
03 -
  • Make a double batch and reheat it gently the next morning with a splash of milk—it's one of the rare breakfasts that reheats beautifully.
  • Toast your nuts lightly in a dry pan before adding them for an extra layer of flavor that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is.
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