This healthy Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Bowl has cherries, almonds, banana, and coconut to get you off to a great start!
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Chocolate for breakfast, yes, please! Anytime I can sneak in chocolate to whatever I'm having for breakfast while keeping it healthy, I am all over it.
I actually wasn't sure if I would like this Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Bowl. I mean, chocolate and quinoa together? Quinoa is only supposed to be savory, right? Wrong.
Quinoa has a nutty flavor, so chocolate and quinoa are a great match.
Another quinoa breakfast recipe I made was my Spiced Quinoa Breakfast Bowl. It has warming spices and is topped with fruit and nuts.
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❤️ Why You'll Love It
- Since quinoa has a nutty flavor, chocolate and quinoa are a great combination!
- It's like oatmeal but with quinoa.
- It is healthy and satisfying.
What Is Quinoa?
Pronounced (KEEN-wah)
Quinoa is a pseudo-cereal in the amaranth family, meaning it is eaten as a grain even though technically it's a seed.
It's gluten-free, making it a great substitute for recipes like tabbouleh which normally has bulgar in it. It also can be used in place of couscous in many recipes.
How Does Quinoa Taste?
Quinoa has a slight nutty flavor. It is chewy and fluffy. Since it has such a mild flavor, it can go in savory or sweet recipes.
🧾 Ingredients
- Quinoa: Quinoa can be found in the bulk section of the grocery store and in packages on the shelves.
- Almond milk: I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk, but you could use soy milk, oat milk, cashew milk, or your favorite non-dairy milk.
- Cacao powder: Adds the chocolate flavor. You could also use cocoa powder.
- Maple syrup: Adds sweetness. You could also use agave syrup, dates, or your favorite sweetener.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances flavors.
- Almond extract: Adds a strong fruity flavor. You can leave it out.
- Salt: Enhances flavors.
To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
📖 Variations / Additions
Add or switch out any of these to change up the flavors and textures:
- Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or other berries
- Mango, peaches, or other fruit
- Granola
- Hemp seeds, flax seeds, or pumpkin seeds
- Walnuts, pecans, roasted cashews
- Dried fruit
- Spices like ginger, cinnamon, or nutmeg
- Peanut butter, almond butter, or other nut butter
- Vegan yogurt
- Drizzle of chocolate sauce
- Vegan mini marshmallows
- Coconut milk in place of almond milk
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🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Heat a small saucepan on medium heat on the stovetop. Toast quinoa in the pot for a few minutes. This step is optional, but it gives a nice nutty flavor.
Step 2: Add almond milk and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Stir frequently so it doesn't stick. Let sit for 5 minutes to absorb liquid.
Step 3: Add cacao powder (or cocoa powder), maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt.
Step 4: Mix thoroughly. Top with your favorite toppings.
💭 Tips
- If you purchase quinoa from the bulk section of the grocery store, make sure to thoroughly rinse your quinoa. It contains saponin, which gives it a soapy or bitter taste if not rinsed. If you buy packaged quinoa, make sure that it says it was rinsed before packaging.
- Toast your quinoa for a more nutty flavor before adding liquid and cooking it.
- As always, taste as you go. You may want more or less cacao powder or sweetener.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
Quinoa is a great way to start your day. It is packed with protein and fiber, keeping you full for hours.
Other Vegan Quinoa Recipes
If you tried this Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Bowl Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!
If you've never had quinoa for breakfast, this recipe is a great place to start. I mean, chocolate for breakfast, come on!
📋 Recipe
Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa drained and rinsed
- 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk + more for serving
- ¼ cup cacao powder
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup + more for serving
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Salt
Toppings
- Cherries or other fruit
- Slivered almonds or other nuts
- Coconut chips or flakes
- Cacao nibs or chocolate chips
Instructions
- Heat a pot on the stovetop. Add quinoa and toast for a few minutes (optional).
- Add almond milk and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Let sit for 5 minutes until the almond milk is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy and tender.
- Add cacao powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt.
- Top with fruit, nuts, seeds, coconut chips, cacao nibs or chocolate chips.
Notes
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Nutrition
*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.
Jill Smithling says
Delicious! I added a little all natural peanut butter (the non oily kind) instead of the toppings. Superb !
Willow Moon says
Thanks Jill, I’m glad you liked it!
A says
I have to say I am not one to leave reviews unless I am really impressed and this was just so delicious! I love oatmeal but it can get a bit boring after a bit, so I wanted to try this and it is just perfect. It is just sweet enough and nutty and has a great texture. I kept it simple with just some banana and toasted walnuts. Definitely a keeper for me!
Willow Moon says
Thanks so much, I'm glad you liked it!
Whitney B says
I loved this! I had sweetened almond milk on hand, because I had found it on clearance, so I left out the syrup. 🙂 My girls (3 and 1) said it wasn't sweet enough... but I think that was mostly because they ate all their toppings first. 😛 Oh, well.