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    Home » Breakfast » Cinnamon and Blackberry Breakfast Quinoa

    Aug 13, 2008 · Modified: Nov 9, 2021 by Sues · This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads · View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer · 10 Comments

    Cinnamon and Blackberry Breakfast Quinoa

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    Quinoa for breakfast? It's not as weird as you think! This Cinnamon and Blackberry Breakfast Quinoa will keep you full and satisfied all morning long. Not to mention, it's a delicious way to start your day!

    Head-on view of colorful bowl of cinnamon and blackberry breakfast quinoa topped with pecans on a flowered towel with cup of coffee and spoon in the background with recipe title at top of image

    (This recipe for Cinnamon and Blackberry Breakfast Quinoa was originally published in August 2008, but was updated with new photos in 2018).

    This post should be alternatively titled " the perfect breakfast." When I first wrote this post in 2008, I was just learning what quinoa was (and may have even thought it was pronounced quin-o-a).

    I started seeing it all over lists of "healthy foods you aren't eating, but should be," and when I saw a breakfast quinoa recipe, I decided that my first time prepping it would be in a breakfast dish.

    It turned out to be delicious and 10 years later, my pantry is never without a box or bag of quinoa in it. And this blog has a ton of quinoa recipes on it. I can't believe there was a time when I didn't know what quinoa was!

    The recipe I first spotted all those years ago was this Warm and Nutty Cinnamon Quinoa from the 101 Cookbooks blog. I'm a sucker for blackberries and needed a little switch from my Special K with Red Berries breakfast (I bought 8 boxes…hey, they were on sale at Walgreen's) so I knew I needed to make this.

    Just a few minutes in the kitchen and I had a hearty and healthy breakfast that lasted for days.

    Why Quinoa is a Great Breakfast Option

    Think quinoa for breakfast is weird? It’s not! OK, maybe it is a little bit. If you’re simply used to eating it in salads at dinner time, you may think starting your day with it is a bit odd.

    But quinoa for breakfast is actually a super smart idea because it’s packed with protein, fiber, and iron that will keep you full and satisfied all morning long. 

    It also happens to be one of the only plants that contains a complete protein, which means it provides all the essential amino acids we need. Does it get any better than that??

    In many ways, quinoa is like a blank palate and you can add any flavors you want to it. Cinnamon, honey, and fruit make it taste like the ideal breakfast!

    Ingredients

    • Dry quinoa
    • Low-fat milk (or dairy or dairy substitute of your choice)
    • Water
    • Blackberries
    • Ground cinnamon
    • Pecans
    • Agave or honey

    How to Make Cinnamon Blackberry Breakfast Quinoa

    Quinoa takes a little bit longer to cook than the typical oatmeal, but if you've ever cooked rice before, you can definitely cook quinoa. This breakfast quinoa is super easy to prepare!

    Put the quinoa in a  saucepan with the milk and water and bring it to a boil. Then reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan. Let it cook for about 15 minutes, until all the liquid is absorbed.

    Quinoa cooking in saucepan

    Take the quinoa off the heat and let it sit for another 5 minutes. Now, fluff it up with a fork and add the blackberries! If you can’t find good blackberries or they’re too pricey, you can always use blueberries. Or any berry of your choice.

    Cooked quinoa, blackberries, and cinnamon in saucepan

    Add the cinnamon in too (another super food!) and mix it all up.

    Now serve it! And top with toasted pecans and honey.

    If you prefer agave or maple syrup, you can use those, too, but this breakfast quinoa does need a little bit of sweetness (blackberries are often more tart than sweet, after all).

    Overhead view of bowl of cinnamon and blackberry breakfast quinoa topped with pecans on a flowered towel on marble surface with cup of coffee and spoon in the background

    This is a really, really good hearty and filling breakfast. And much more satisfying than a simple bowl of cereal.

    You can keep leftovers in the fridge (you’ll have plenty!) and have breakfast instantly ready each morning. And this breakfast quinoa is delicious served both cold and hot. At first I was wary about heating up the blackberries, but I actually loved them warm.

    Variations on Recipe

    If blackberries aren't your thing or you're just looking to switch this breakfast quinoa up without getting bored, there is so much you can do with it. Here are some more breakfast quinoa toppings I love:

    • Other fruits like blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, banana, mango, pears, etc.
    • Other spices like pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, ginger, etc.
    • Other nuts like walnuts, cashews, almonds, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, etc.
    • Mix-ins like peanut butter, almond butter, Nutella, etc.

    There's really no limit to the ways you can make this yummy meal.

    Landscape photo of colorful bowl of cinnamon and blackberry breakfast quinoa topped with pecans on flowered towel with spoon, blackberries, and mug in the background

    More Quinoa Recipes

    Like I mentioned, I have A LOT of quinoa recipes here at We are not Martha, some for simple salads and some for more unique dishes. Here are some of my favorites:

    • Quinoa-Stuffed Acorn Squash
    • Peanut Butter Quinoa Chia Granola
    • Quinoa Black Bean Corn Salad
    • Jalapeño Parmesan Quinoa Tater Tots
    • Quinoa Fried Rice
    • Roasted Tomato Soup with Quinoa and Feta
    • Blueberry Quinoa Muffins (from Jar of Lemons)
    • Quinoa Fruit Salad (from Healthy World Cuisine)

    Breakfast quinoa is blowing my mind and now I’m truly understanding how awesome this grain really is.

    After eating this, I’m legit not hungry for hours, which is super duper rare for me. And I’m also happy and satisfied in a way I wouldn’t be if I just ate a big bowl of bran cereal or something.

    Head-on view of colorful bowl of cinnamon and blackberry breakfast quinoa topped with pecans on a flowered towel with cup of coffee and spoon in the background

    This is also the kind of breakfast that knows no season; it’s equally as delicious in the winter and summer!

    You all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and when you’re eating a breakfast filled with so many super foods, you’re going to be feeling good all day. Hooray for that!

    Have you ever had quinoa for breakfast?

    Cinnamon and Blackberry Breakfast Quinoa -- Quinoa for breakfast? It's not as weird as you think! This Cinnamon and Blackberry Breakfast Quinoa will keep you full and satisfied all morning long. Not to mention, it's a delicious way to start your day | wearenotmartha.com

    Cinnamon and Blackberry Breakfast Quinoa

    Quinoa for breakfast? It's not as weird as you think! This Cinnamon and Blackberry Breakfast Quinoa will keep you full and satisfied all morning long. Not to mention, it's a delicious way to start your day!
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Breakfast Bowls, Healthy Breakfasts, Quinoa Recipes
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Makes: 4 servings
    Author: Sues

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup dry quinoa
    • 1 cup low-fat milk (or dairy or dairy substitute of your choice)
    • 1 cup water
    • 2 cups fresh blackberries
    • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
    • ⅓ cup chopped pecans, toasted
    • 4 tsp agave or honey

    Instructions

    • Put quinoa in a saucepan with milk and water and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, until all the liquid is absorbed.
    • Remove quinoa from heat and let sit for another 5 minutes.Fluff it up with a fork and add blackberries or berries of your choice and cinnamon. Mix together.
    • Serve in bowls and sprinkle toasted pecans and drizzle honey or agave on top.

    Notes

    • Recipe adapted from 101 Cookbooks
    Share a Photo of Your Finished Recipe!Mention @wearenotmartha and share a photo if you've made the recipe!

    View Web Story for this recipe.

    Cinnamon and Blackberry Breakfast QuinoaCinnamon and Blackberry Breakfast QuinoaCinnamon and Blackberry Breakfast Quinoa
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Laura and John says

      August 14, 2008 at 5:54 am

      I've been wanting to find a way to use quinoa but I was scared to ask where it was at the store because I didn't know how to say it. Thanks for answering both questions at once!

    2. transienttravels says

      August 14, 2008 at 5:50 pm

      Quinoa for breakfast - good one!

    3. Poonam says

      August 14, 2008 at 6:29 pm

      A super healthy breakfast!

    4. Kevin says

      August 14, 2008 at 6:32 pm

      Looks good! I like serving quinoa for breakfast like this.

    5. Larissa says

      August 14, 2008 at 10:41 pm

      That looks like the healthiest breakfast ever! Yummy.

    6. Maxie says

      August 15, 2008 at 5:01 am

      I freakin love quinoa. You should try it with roasted red peppers, corn and chives (I think there are a bunch of other ingredients, but I get it at a restaurant so I can't remember).

      You can also do it like a quesodilla... the stuff I mentioned above with some cheese on a tortilla... it's really quite good.

    7. carrol says

      August 18, 2008 at 8:46 pm

      WholeAndNatural.com has lots of organic products including organic agave nectar in all sizes.

    8. Sara says

      August 20, 2008 at 2:06 pm

      okay, weird question, but can you substitute bulgar for quinoa? or is it totally different?

    9. John La Puma MD says

      August 15, 2009 at 1:37 pm

      Thanks so much for the reprint and post: so glad you enjoyed it. Great substitutions!
      We offer more free, easy, quick and healthy recipes at ChefMD.com: come visit: nutritionals, photos, Lifetime TV broadcast video for each!
      Best regards,
      John La Puma, MD
      http://www.drjohnlapuma.com
      http://www.ChefMD.com
      n.b. Love your photos too...great step by step.
      and to Sara: I would not cook bulgur this way: it will turn into mush: bulgur is whole wheat and quinoa is a different, complete grain.

    Trackbacks

    1. Chai Tea Pumpkin Breakfast Quinoa recipe | We are not Martha says:
      December 9, 2016 at 8:15 pm

      […] been about 40424 years since I last made breakfast quinoa. OK, so really, it’s been eight years. But that’s a long time! Especially in the world of quinoa. I mean, if you asked me how long […]

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