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

Home » Recipes » Cuisine » American » Why this Oatmeal & Quinoa Recipe is a Winner

Recipes

4.50 from 2 votes

by Gale Compton

Jump to Recipe

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

Have you made this recipe?
Tag @skinnyms on Instagram or hashtag it #skinnyms

Healthy breakfasts are easier to make than you think, and they can even be made in advance! Subscribe to our newsletter and we’ll send you all the newest recipes, along with tips for meal-prepping, weight loss articles, and new fitness routines–all for free!

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

FAQs

Why is quinoa better than oatmeal? ›

It is high in proteins and fiber and enriched with antioxidants that help in making the immune system stronger. You are advised to consume quinoa more in comparison to oats as quinoa will provide more health benefits in low calories.

Is quinoa better than oatmeal for diabetics? ›

Quinoa generally has a low glycemic index score, making it a favorable choice for those concerned about blood sugar levels. The GI of oatmeal can range from low to moderate, depending on factors such as the processing method and the type of oats. Steel-cut oats typically have a lower GI compared to instant oats.

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.

Can I substitute quinoa for oats? ›

Instead of using rolled oats, I use quinoa and mix it with milk and sweetener to make a breakfast porridge that's incredibly versatile, absolutely delicious and chock-full of nutrients and protein.

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 is quinoa better? ›

Unlike some plant proteins, quinoa is a complete protein, meaning that it contains all nine essential amino acids that our bodies cannot make on their own. Quinoa is also naturally gluten-free and can be eaten safely if one has gluten intolerance such as celiac disease.

Which is healthier, quinoa or oatmeal? ›

One of quinoa's main nutritional advantages is its high protein content, containing more protein per serving than oatmeal. Each cup of cooked quinoa provides 8 grams of protein, compared to 6 grams in an equivalent portion of cooked oatmeal.

Does quinoa raise blood sugar like rice? ›

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.

Will quinoa raise blood sugar? ›

Quinoa is considered a whole grain, which is better for you than refined grains like white flour. Quinoa has a glycemic index of 53, which is a measure of how quickly it will raise your blood sugar levels. That score puts quinoa in the middle range of “good” vs. “bad” carbs.

Why should you soak quinoa before cooking? ›

Do you need to soak quinoa before cooking it? In short, no, you don't need to soak quinoa. However, doing so is said to remove phytic acid, which may make it easier for people to digest quinoa. If you just want to remove the bitter flavor from quinoa, rinse it under cold water for about a minute.

Should I toast or rinse quinoa? ›

To wash quinoa, place it in a fine-meshed strainer and rinse it under cool water for 30 - 45 seconds. Allow the excess water to drain out. Toast the quinoa: Place the quinoa in a large pan and turn on the heat to medium. I like to use a non-stick pan.

Do you eat quinoa cold or hot? ›

The quick-cooking grain is delicious cold in a salad, served warm as a side dish, or combined with vegetables and dairy to make a spectacular and filling main course. Read on for even more of our favorite quinoa recipes, from quinoa pancakes to crispy quinoa sliders.

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.

Is quinoa more filling than oatmeal? ›

Quinoa. It's higher in fiber than most other grains, which means it fills you up more.

Can quinoa be eaten for breakfast? ›

Quinoa easily adapts to breakfast-style preparation. For example, it can be cooked and served as porridge, or it can be added to early morning favorites such as granola, muffins, and quick breads. Try out these quinoa breakfast recipes, and add even more energy to your day.

Which is healthier, oatmeal or quinoa? ›

Quinoa also surpasses oatmeal in protein quality: The complete protein in quinoa contains all the essential amino acids you need from your diet, while oatmeal's protein provides only some of the essential amino acids.

Is it good to eat quinoa every day? ›

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.

Can I eat quinoa for breakfast everyday? ›

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 grains are healthier than oatmeal? ›

Here are the healthiest grains to eat, according to nutrition expert Malena Perdomo, MS, RDN, CDE.
  • 01 of 13. Barley. Barley is traditionally served in soups, salads, grain bowls, and more. ...
  • 02 of 13. Quinoa. ...
  • 03 of 13. Amaranth. ...
  • 04 of 13. Buckwheat. ...
  • 05 of 13. Teff. ...
  • 06 of 13. Oats. ...
  • 07 of 13. Farro. ...
  • 08 of 13. Bulgur Wheat.
Apr 16, 2024

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Msgr. Benton Quitzon

Last Updated:

Views: 6091

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Msgr. Benton Quitzon

Birthday: 2001-08-13

Address: 96487 Kris Cliff, Teresiafurt, WI 95201

Phone: +9418513585781

Job: Senior Designer

Hobby: Calligraphy, Rowing, Vacation, Geocaching, Web surfing, Electronics, Electronics

Introduction: My name is Msgr. Benton Quitzon, I am a comfortable, charming, thankful, happy, adventurous, handsome, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.