Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Bowl (Printable Page)

A comforting quinoa bowl with tender apples and cinnamon for a nourishing start to your morning.

# What You 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)

# 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 walnuts or pecans, raisins or cranberries, and extra apple slices if desired. Drizzle with additional maple syrup to taste.
05 - Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's genuinely filling enough to carry you through a busy morning without that mid-morning crash.
  • One pot means minimal cleanup, which matters more than any cookbook will tell you.
  • The texture is fascinating—creamy yet whole-grain, comforting but nutritious.
02 -
  • The quinoa needs to be rinsed thoroughly—skip this and you'll taste a bitterness you can't quite identify but won't enjoy.
  • Stir occasionally while simmering so the bottom doesn't stick, and you'll get that creamy texture; ignore this and you end up with scorched patches.
03 -
  • Toast your nuts in a dry pan for two minutes before adding them—it wakes up their flavor in a way that makes a real difference in the final bowl.
  • Make extra if you can, because cold quinoa porridge from the fridge actually tastes good reheated, and having breakfast ready removes one decision from a busy morning.
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