This healthy Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Bowl has cherries, almonds, banana, and coconut to get you off to a great start!
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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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
This is an overview of the ingredients. To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Quinoa: Quinoa can be found in the bulk section of the grocery store 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.
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🔪 Instructions
- To cook quinoa, 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.
- 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.
- Add cacao powder (or cocoa powder), maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Top quinoa breakfast bowl with banana slices, cherries, cacao nibs or chocolate chips, coconut chips, and slivered almonds.
🥡 Storage
This recipe will last about 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
💭 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.
📖 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
👩🏻🍳 FAQs
Quinoa is a great way to start your day. It is packed with protein and fiber, keeping you full for hours.
If you've never had quinoa for breakfast, this recipe is a great place to start. I mean, chocolate for breakfast, come on!
*Don't forget to come back and leave your feedback and star rating.
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📋 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.
Nutrition
*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.
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.