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Published: January 11, 2020 Last Updated: June 22, 2022
Healthy breakfast recipes made easy? Yes, please!
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
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
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!
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
Review Recipe PIN RECIPE Print Recipe
Ingredients
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
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FAQs
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 is a healthier grain for people living with diabetes and those at risk of developing the condition. This whole grain is rich in vitamins and minerals. Other whole grains that are good for people living with diabetes include brown rice and steel-cut oats.
How to make oatmeal healthier? ›
Additions to make it healthier
- a couple of spoonfuls of nut butter, nuts, or seeds.
- a scoop of protein powder.
- beaten egg whites (mixed into oatmeal while cooking) or a fried egg on top.
- shredded cheese.
- Greek yogurt.
The biggest difference is their texture. When cooked, quinoa seeds have a delicate and slightly fluffy texture, with just the slightest bit of chew. Oatmeal tends to be creamy when cooked, although the texture can vary based on the type of oats used and cooking methods.
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.
What not to add to oatmeal? ›
Some unhealthy toppings for oatmeal include:
- Sugary syrups like maple syrup or honey.
- Candied or dried fruit with added sugar.
- Chocolate chips or other candy.
- Sweetened whipped cream or heavy cream.
- Granola or other high-sugar cereals.
- Sweetened coconut flakes.
- Artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes.
Simple tip #1: Make oatmeal with milk (or a non-dairy alternative) versus water. Not only does oatmeal made with water taste way less delicious, but you're also missing out on the extra protein staying power that milk will add to the breakfast. Water will also make the oats more gummy instead of creamy.
What is the best and healthiest oatmeal to eat? ›
Steel-cut oats, also called Irish oatmeal, are the whole oat kernel that has been cut into two or three pieces using steel disks. This type of oats contains the highest amount of fiber, as it is least processed. Steel-cut oats take a little longer to cook, and result in a creamy and chewy porridge.
Are eggs better than oatmeal for diabetics? ›
Oatmeal has also been shown to decrease blood glucose in 14 patients with uncontrolled T2DM [11]. In contrast, eggs are identified as a food that might raise plasma LDL-C [12], or that could potentially alter glucose metabolism and lead to diabetes [13].
Can diabetics eat quinoa everyday? ›
Quinoa has a low glycemic index (around 53), making it suitable for diabetics eating normally. It keeps you full for a longer time, which prevents your blood sugar levels from rising. Several grains that are high in protein lack the necessary quantity of amino acids to finish the breakdown process.
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.
What is the healthiest fruit to put in oatmeal? ›
Feel free to pick your favorite fruit (try berries or pears) and nuts (maybe almonds or pistachios) to personalize your healthy oatmeal. Hilary Meyer is a freelance recipe developer, tester and content creator.
How do you sweeten oatmeal without sugar? ›
How To Sweeten Your Oatmeal Without Sugar
- 1. Fruits. Using the natural sweetness of fruits to your advantage is an easy way to add a sweet flavor to your oatmeal. ...
- Plant Milks. Oatmeal is delicious with plant milk like cashew, soy, or almond. ...
- Syrups and Nectars. ...
- Seed and Nut Butter. ...
- Spices. ...
- Extracts. ...
- Protein Powders.
According to Healthline.com, oats are a good source of carbs and fiber and are even filled with "important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant plant compounds." When combined with the natural energy found in pure honey, there is no doubt that honey and oats pack a powerful punch when enjoyed together.
Which is healthier oatmeal or quinoa? ›
Oats contain macronutrients such as total carbohydrates, calcium, magnesium, total fat, proteins, saturated fats, iron, zinc, potassium, etc. Though both kinds of cereals are rich in nutrients, Quinoa is considered to be the healthier of the two.
Is quinoa or oatmeal better for weight loss? ›
Good news: they both have a low to medium Glycaemic Index and Glycaemic Load. Therefore both are great for blood sugar and weight management when using standard serving sizes. The more interesting thing about quinoa is that, unlike oats, it contains all the essential 9 amino acids to form a complete protein.
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.
Is quinoa or oats good for weight loss? ›
If you are trying to lose weight, both oats and quinoa are low-glycemic index, great for sustained energy levels and improved satiety - a small amount goes a long way.
