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    Home » Diet » Gluten Free Recipes

    Quinoa Smoothie with Coffee

    Published: May 12, 2019 by Wendy Polisi Modified: Aug 29, 2022 · 988 words. · About 5 minutes to read this article. This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

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    Photo of a quinoa smoothie with the text above that says "Coffee Quinoa Smoothie"

    This Quinoa Smoothie with Coffee is the perfect healthy way to start the day! With coffee, quinoa flakes, ground flax, cocoa powder and banana, your energy levels will soar.  Perfect for busy mornings, this recipe is a cinch to throw together - and you can even mix the dry ingredients the night before.  

    Photo of a Quinoa Smoothie with coffee in a mason jar with a blue and yellow striped jar.
    First Published: May 3, 2013... Last Updated: May 12, 2019

    Quinoa Smoothie Backstory

    I have tried for years to make smoothies a regular part of my diet because it is such an easy way to pack in the nutrition!

    It has only been in the last nine months that I've done this consistently.

    Life has been crazy, and more than a little difficult at times.

    Smoothies are the perfect meal to help me with my weight loss goals. (The struggle is real.)  They help keep me away from the cracker box when I've got a million things to do and am hangry.

    (Sadly, this is all too often.  I get busy and forget to eat and wind up crazy hungry.   I have a big weakness for carbs with empty calories when I am stressed.)

    Like a lot of you, I am a huge fan of green smoothies that make the rest of my family run for cover.

    (I've been meaning to try a green smoothie bowl, and this one looks amazing!)

    As much as I love green smoothies, there are days when I crave something different.

    Something like this Quinoa Smoothie with Coffee.

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    If I am having a smoothie first thing in the morning, this is my go-to recipe.

    It is indulgent enough to keep me from running to that bag of chocolate covered almonds in the fridge. Plus this vegan smoothie is perfect for those busy mornings when there isn't enough time for both coffee and breakfast. 

    The idea of putting quinoa in your smoothie may seem strange to you - but stick with me on this one.

    People have been putting oatmeal in smoothies for years. This is a great alternative for those who are so gluten-sensitive that they have to avoid oats, or those looking to add a complete source of plant-based protein.

    If you use cooked quinoa rather than flakes, remember to not cook it in broth. Because that would be....just, gross. Instead, water or juice is a much better alternative here.

    How to Make a Quinoa Smoothie Recipe:

    1. Gather Your Ingredients - You will need brewed coffee, almond milk, a frozen banana, quinoa flakes, ground flax seeds, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and the sweetener of your choosing.
    Photo of ingredients for a smoothie with coffee.

    2. Place them in your blender!

    Photo of ingredients for a smoothie recipe in the blender.

    Frequently Asked Questions for this Quinoa Smoothie Recipe:

    Can You Really Put Quinoa in a Smoothie? Won't it Ruin the Flavor?

    Actually, quinoa by itself has very little flavor, so chances are you won't even notice it.

    Why Would You Put Quinoa in a Smoothie?

    The primary reason is to add nutrition. It is an excellent whole food alternative to using protein powders. (Which are sometimes highly processed and can contain GMO ingredients.) This is a great way to make a drink that will keep you fueled until lunch.

    What is the Difference Between Quinoa and Quinoa Flakes?

    Quinoa Flakes are pressed quinoa. It is like the difference between whole oats and oatmeal. While quinoa is excellent on its own, the flakes have a very light texture to them and get mushy easily. I personally don't care for flakes other than to use in place of breading, in smoothies and in other recipes. They disappear in smoothies so well! FYI, flakes make a great baby food!

    Is it OK to Eat Raw Quinoa?

    The only way I would recommend eating it raw is if you soaked it and sprouted it first. If you don't wish to cook it in traditional methods, you can also bake it or pop it.

    Horizontal photo of a vegan quinoa smoothie in a glass jar surrounded by coffee beans.

    Tools for Making a Quinoa Smoothie Recipe

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    • A high-speed blender is recommended to make this quinoa smoothie. This is less important if you are using quinoa flakes, which blend easily into a smoothie. A low powered blender will have a difficult time getting cooked quinoa blended.  (i.e., you may end up needing to chew your smoothie.)

    Tips for Making a Raw Quinoa Smoothie Recipe:

    I recommend sprouting it first.

    1. Rinse well to remove the saponin.
    2. Place in a jar and cover with water. Top with a sprouting lid.
    3. Soak for 6 hours and then drain.
    4. Rinse well and drain. Tilt the jar over a bowl so that all of the water can run out.
    5. Every six hours, drain the water and rinse.
    6. Sprouts should form in two to three days.

    You can read more about sprouting quinoa here.

    Variations for this Recipe:

    • Omit the coffee and add your favorite fruit. Great options include strawberries, blueberries or pineapple. You may want to add in additional almond milk or water to achieve the desired texture.
    • Increase the chocolate factor by adding an additional tablespoon or two of cocoa powder.
    • I sometimes add a chocolate greens powder to this smoothie. Barlean's is my go-to.  When I do this I omit the cocoa powder.
    Vertical image of coffee quinoa smoothie in a mason jar sitting on a cutting board.
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    If You Like This Recipe You May Also Like:

    • How to Make Quinoa
    • Gluten Free Breakfast Recipes
    • How to Cook Quinoa in a Rice Cooker
    • Iced Mocha Latte
    • Coffee Protein Shake
    If you like this recipe don't forget to leave a 5 star rating and let me know how it went in the below comments, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see all my delicious recipes.

    Quinoa Smoothie Recipe

    Vertical image of coffee quinoa smoothie in a mason jar sitting on a cutting board.
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    Quinoa Smoothie with Coffee

    This Quinoa Smoothie with Coffee is the perfect healthy way to start the day! With coffee, quinoa flakes, ground flax, cocoa powder and banana, your energy levels will soar.  Perfect for when time is tight!
    Prep Time5 mins
    Total Time5 mins
    Course: Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine: American, Healthy, Quinoa
    Keyword: coffee, sweet
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 336kcal
    Author: Wendy Polisi

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups brewed coffee cooled to room temperature
    • 1 cup almond milk or milk of choice
    • ⅓ cup Quinoa Flakes or cooked quinoa
    • 1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds or chia seeds
    • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 frozen banana chopped
    • 1 -2 tablespoons Swerve to taste
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Combine coffee, almond milk, quinoa flakes, flax seeds, cocoa powder, vanilla, cinnamon banana, and Swerve in a in a blender. 
    • Process until smooth. Add ice as desired.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 9g | Sodium: 338mg | Potassium: 729mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Vitamin C: 10.2mg | Calcium: 318mg | Iron: 2.8mg

    Filed Under:

    Breakfast RecipesGluten Free RecipesQuinoa RecipesVegan RecipesVegetarian Recipes

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    About Wendy Polisi

    Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, 5 time cookbook author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 16 & 17 and my late life princess is 9.

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      Rating




    1. Karol

      November 21, 2016 at 4:16 pm

      5 stars
      Hi, please, the amount of quinoa is uncooked, isn´t it? Thank you! Carolina

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        January 15, 2018 at 1:58 pm

        It is actually quinoa flakes, so there is no need to cook.

        Reply
    2. Natalie Ellis

      June 04, 2018 at 6:05 am

      It's like using raw quinoa will take lots of time, I prefer cooked quinoa! 😉

      Reply
    3. Stacie

      July 30, 2018 at 3:43 pm

      5 stars
      This is the best breakfast smoothie ever! It has healthy fats, carbs, and tons of protein. I can't wait to make this!

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        July 30, 2018 at 6:32 pm

        Let me know what you think Stacie!

        Reply
    4. Rose Ann Sales

      July 31, 2018 at 4:15 am

      5 stars
      That Quinoa coffee looks really delicious and looks so easy to make I am sure my sister will definitely love this as she loves coffee so much.

      Reply
    5. Ruth I

      July 31, 2018 at 9:55 am

      5 stars
      This is a perfect brrakfast for me! A healthy and complete one as it already has a coffee in it.

      Reply
    6. Cindy Gordon

      July 31, 2018 at 5:33 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my word this looks so delicious! I would love to make this one!

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        July 31, 2018 at 5:41 pm

        Let me know how it goes if you give it a try Cindy!

        Reply
    7. Shannon Graham

      July 31, 2018 at 5:38 pm

      Oh my goodness it looks amazing! My husband would love it!

      Reply
    8. Rosey

      August 01, 2018 at 1:25 am

      I never thought to put quinoa in a smoothie. What a good idea.

      Reply

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    Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, 5 time cookbook author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 16 & 17 and my late life princess is 9.

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