Baked Breakfast Quinoa is a fabulous healthy way to start your day! Easily made ahead, this recipe is perfect for the busy work week. This recipe is simple to follow and always delicious. So why not give it a try?
Healthy breakfast recipes are a must for anyone looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
This quinoa recipe is not only delicious but it's also loaded with nutrients and fiber, making it the perfect way to start your day.
Ingredients for Making Baked Breakfast Quinoa
- Quinoa: You'll want to use rinsed white quinoa.
- Flaxseed: Ground flaxseed is a great source of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Chia Seeds: Chia seeds are also a good source of fiber as well as protein.
- Pecans: Pecans add a lovely flavor to this recipe, but you could also use walnuts or almonds.
- Brown Sugar: You could use honey or maple syrup instead of brown sugar.
- Cinnamon: Adds a wonderful flavor to the quinoa.
- Dried Fruit: I like to use golden raisins and dried cherries, but you could use any dried fruit you like.
- Eggs: These help bind the quinoa together.
- Milk: I use 2% milk, but you could use any kind of milk you like.
- Vanilla: This is a great recipe for using up that last bit of vanilla extract.
- Apple: I like to use a honeycrisp apple because they are so sweet and have a great texture, but you could use any kind of apple you like.
How to Make Baked Breakfast Quinoa
First, start by preheating your oven.
Next, soak the quinoa in water for at least 5 minutes.
Rinse the quinoa thoroughly and then combine it with 2 ¾ cups of water and ½ teaspoon salt in a pot.
Bring the quinoa to a boil and then reduce the heat and cover the pot.
Cook for 10 minutes and then remove from heat.
If there is any excess water, strain it out and discard.
Let the quinoa sit, fluffed and uncovered, to cool for a while.
Meanwhile, combine the nuts, dried fruit, brown sugar, cinnamon, and chia seeds in a bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and brown sugar.
Once the quinoa has cooled, add it to the bowl with the nuts and dried fruit. Stir until everything is evenly mixed.
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl and stir until everything is combined.
Chop the apple into small pieces and add it to the bowl. Stir until everything is mixed together.
Pour the quinoa mixture into a greased baking dish. Bake covered for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, remove the cover and bake for another 30 minutes.
Remove from oven and let cool. Serve and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks for Making This Recipe
- Make sure you rinse the quinoa well before using. It is covered in a bitter substance called saponin which may lead to stomach upset if not rinsed.
- To save time in the morning, you can soak the quinoa overnight. Simply combine the quinoa with water in a pot and leave it covered on the countertop overnight.
- If you don't have any dried fruit on hand, you could use fresh fruit instead. Just be sure to add it right before baking so it doesn't get too mushy.
- You could also use different kinds of milk or sweeteners in this recipe. Just be sure to adjust the amount of sugar you use if you are using a sweeter milk or syrup.
- If you want a vegan version of this recipe, simply omit the eggs and increase the amount of milk used. Use your favorite nut milk.
Baked Breakfast Quinoa
Ingredients
- 2 C White Quinoa
- 2 tablespoon Flax Seed ground
- 1 tablespoon Chia Seeds
- ⅓ cup Pecans ground
- ⅔ C Brown Sugar see note
- 1 tablespoon Cinnamon
- ¾ C Dried Fruit Golden Raisins & Dried Cherries
- 3 Eggs large
- 3 ½ C 2% Milk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 1 Apple cored, peeled and chopped
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F and butter a 9x13 baking dish.
- Soak the quinoa in water for at least 5 minutes and then thoroughly rinse. Combine the quinoa with 2 ¾ C of water and ½ teaspoon salt in a pot and bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, cover and reduce the heat. Cook for another 10 minutes and then remove from the heat. The quinoa may not be fully cooked at this point, which is fine because it will be cooked again in the oven. If there is any excess water, strain it out and discard. Let the quinoa sit, fluffed and uncovered, to cool for a while.
- Combine the nuts, dried fruit, remaining salt, cinnamon, chia seeds and flax seeds in a large bowl and set aside.
- In a second bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, brown sugar and vanilla. Add the liquid to the fruit and nut bowl and stir well. Stir in the cooled quinoa and pour the entire thing into the prepped baking dish. Lastly, sprinkle the top of the quinoa with the chopped apples.
- Cover the dish and bake in the 350° F for 30 minutes. Remove the cover from the dish and continue to cook until the middle has set; approximately another 30 minutes.
- Remove the dish to a rack to cool. If you’re in the mood for some immediate goodness, go ahead and scoop yourself a nice helping after the dish has cooled for a bit. Otherwise, chill it and then cut into squares, or wait to scoop some chilled quinoa into a bowl with some milk for breakfast.
- Bon Appétit!
Notes
Wendy's Note: For those who prefer an unrefined sugar alternative I recommend Muscavado Sugar
Shannon Graham
I would love to wake up to some of this!