Winter Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

This Winter Quinoa Breakfast Bowl is a healthy option for a quick breakfast, brunch, or snack and comes jam-packed with nutrients and works perfectly for meal prep. This breakfast bowl consists of quinoa, chia seeds, warm spices, freshly-squeeze orange juice, natural sweetened, and topped with ingredients that compliment the bold flavors. This bowl is a great vegan + gluten-free staple for the entire family. Make ahead + Overnight options.

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This bowl is the epitome of cozy, warmth and goodness in a bowl. So comforting in every spoonful, this Winter Quinoa Breakfast Bowl is one of my latest faves---hands down! Honestly, when it comes to breakfast recipes, I often get excited about over the top dishes---waffles, pancakes, french toast---you name it. However, when I get a chance to create something this nutrient-dense and delicious, I'm even more excited. Plus, this bowl is totally customizable and can be infused with amazing flavors (chai, cacao, pumpkin, etc.) and topped with even more amazing ingredients. Whatever your tastebuds desire, that's what you add! That easy!

They are just like oatmeal and has the same versatility. If you haven't already, I recommend trying my High-Protein Overnight Quinoa, which is super easy to make and allows the refrigerator to do the magic.

What's a Quinoa Breakfast Bowl, Anyway?

Literally, think of quinoa bowls like oatmeal. These bowls are just as creamy, soft, flavorful, and customizable as I mentioned previously. In addition, quinoa bowls are just as quick and easy to make---literally 10 minutes or so (with cooked quinoa).

To make these, you simply add your cooked quinoa in a bowl and top it with your favorite ingredients. That's it!

What Kind of Milk For Quinoa Breakfast Bowl?

When it comes to vegan milk options, there are so many possibilities. From soy milk to nut milk to the newest trend, potato milk, you can find a delicious plant-based option you love. And what makes these milks even better? You can make them from scratch at home! All of these dairy-free milk recipes will work for this creamy quinoa breakfast bowl recipe:

• Coconut Milk
• Creamy Vanilla Sesame Milk
• Quinoa Milk
• Potato Milk
• Cauliflower Milk
• Easy Homemade Creamy Cashew Milk
• Almond Milk Without Soaking
• Ultra Creamy Homemade Oat Milk

If you're curious about the wide world of dairy-free milk options, start with this guide to The Best Milk Alternatives for Your Entire Household.

What Ingredients Are Used in this Quinoa Bowl?

Here’s what you’ll need when making this delicious Winter Quinoa Breakfast Bowl:

• Quinoa. Cook your quinoa ahead of time if you’d like or while making this breakfast bowl. This is a great way to repurpose leftover cooked grains!
• Orange. I like to use a navel orange, but you could use any other kind of large, juicy citrus fruit.
• Spices. I like cinnamon, nutmeg, + allspice in this bowl.
• Chia seeds. These are packed with fiber and healthy fats to keep you satisfied.
• Milk. Choose your favorite! I like almond for this recipe.
• Maple syrup. I like to use organic sugar to make sure it's fully vegan. Honey also works if you're not worried about this being vegan!

The Best Breakfast Bowl Topping Ideas

Add crunch and texture to your Winter Quinoa Breakfast Bowl with your favorite toppings. I like to serve this dish with:

• Fresh berries, especially strawberries, blueberries, blackberries or raspberries
• Sliced almonds or another nut. Walnuts, hazelnuts or brazil nuts are also great.
• Almond butter or another nut butter.
• Seeds like pumpkin or sunflower.
• Yogurt. You can use plant-based or regular yogurt to add a nice creamy topping to your quinoa.
• Cocoa powder adds a tasty chocolatey finish and extra antioxidants or chopped chocolate, which would melt when added.

How to Make Roasted Oranges

There are a few key ingredients in this warm quinoa breakfast bowl recipe that you may not usually use in your morning oatmeal or breakfast bowl in general---especially roasting your fruit. However, roasting your fruit adds a beautiful look and texture to your bowl as well as additional bold flavor. Here's what you need for your roasted oranges:

• Orange. I like to use a navel orange, but you could use any other kind of large, juicy citrus fruit.
• Olive oil. Helps to cook and soften the oranges for a caramelized flavors.
• Brown Sugar. I like to use organic sugar to make sure it's fully vegan.

Why I Love using Maple Syrup or Agave as a Sweetener.

When it comes to both syrups, I often use them interchangeably, although I love to use pure maple syrup mostly. Agave is said to have a lower glycemic index, which makes it perfect for those with diabetes. On the other hand, pure Maple syrup has tons of antioxidants because it comes directly from a plant’s sap.

Tips to Making this Bowl Perfect + To Change Things Up.

• To change things up, simply add other flavors such as mashed bananas, chai, pumpkin, vanilla, zest, or other extracts.
• You can use any sweetener option you please—-Agave, maple syrup, honey, apple sauce, or another natural sweetener.
• For additional nutrients, feel free to add flaxseed meal, etc.
• Top with other caramelized fruit, dried fruit, nuts, cranberries, chocolate chips, or whatever you choose.
• For Make-ahead meals or on-the-go, simply make this and store in individual mason jars.
• For a nice creaminess, add your favorite butters: peanut butter, almond butter, pecan butter, sunbutter, or canned coconut cream, etc.

Top Reasons Why You’ll Love This Quinoa Breakfast Bowl!

Can I be honest? Once you taste this Winter Quinoa Breakfast Bowl you’ll fall in absolute love. Haha. More importantly, here are the reasons why you’ll love it the most:

• It’s ALL Vegan + Plant-based.
• Super easy to make and quick----just under 30 minutes!
• So many nutrients in one bowl.
• Full of sweet flavor + savoriness (The best reason!)
• Perfect for any time of day—Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner (if that’s your thing), whatever!

Making Bigger Batches

You can easily adjust this recipe to make a large batch for your family, especially if you want to meal prep this recipe for the week. Simply double or triple the ingredients as needed.

What Kind of Quinoa is Best for this Breakfast Bowl?

You can use any kind of quinoa to make your Winter Quinoa Breakfast Bowl. It can be cooked beforehand (which means that you'll only need about 1 cup of milk along with the other ingredients when making the bowl) or boiled as the recipe states. White quinoa will give you a whiter-colored look, though multi-color or red grains will give you a stronger nuttier flavor.

IS THERE AN OVERNIGHT OPTION?

Simply add all quinoa bowl ingredients (minus the toppings) to a bowl and mix together until combined. Tightly cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or at least 8 hours). Once ready to serve, heat everything together in a pot, serve in a bowl, and top with topping ingredients.

CAN I MAKE THIS BREAKFAST BOWL AHEAD OF TIME?

Absolutely! All ingredients can be made and individually stored as meal prep and assembled when ready to serve.

HOW DO I STORE LEFTOVERS?

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Perfect for meal prep for the week!

My Top Ways to Make Anything Quinoa.

• Savory Chickpea Quinoa Buddha Bowl
• Easy Spicy Veggie Quinoa Skillet
• Baked Sticky Orange Cauliflower + Quinoa
• Vegan Quinoa Fried Rice
• Chipotle Sweet Potato Quinoa Tacos
• Vegan Bolognese Pasta
• Iced Vanilla Latte with Quinoa Milk
• Spicy Sofritas Quinoa Tacos
• Slow Cooker Quinoa Veggie Soup

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you make this Winter Quinoa Breakfast Bowl, tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea!

Winter Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

January 5, 2023 •

By Shanika

5 from 3 votes

Cozy up to this vegan Winter Quinoa Breakfast Bowl for a breakfast that fills you up and tastes amazing, especially during the cooler months with a delicious texture!

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 25 minutes mins

Serves: 1 serving

Units:

US Customary|Metric

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Ingredients

QUINOA BOWL:

• ½ cup multi-color quinoa, uncooked  (You can also use white or red as well)
• 3 cups Almond milk, unsweetened (You can use your fave plant-based milk!)
• 1 orange, freshly-squeezed
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
• ½ teaspoon sea salt

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS:

• Coconut flakes, organic
• Granola, homemade or store-bought
• Sliced almonds
• Sliced oranges (Roasted or fresh works!)
• Pomegranate arils
• Chopped or shaved chocolate

Instructions

TO MAKE THE QUINOA BOWL:

• Add the quinoa, Almond milk, orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and sea salt to a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until everything is combined. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low so that everything simmers for 10-15 minutes or until the liquid is mostly gone, stirring occasionally.
• Once done, quinoa should thicken and become swollen + fluffy and creamy with about half the the liquid still remaining. Stir in the freshly-squeezed orange juice, maple syrup, orange juice, chia seeds, and let it simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes before removing it from heat.
• To serve, portion quinoa into serving bowl(s) and top with coconut flakes, granola, sliced almonds, sliced oranges, pomegranate arils, and/or chopped chocolate, if desired.
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• STORAGE: Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Perfect for meal prep for the week!
• OVERNIGHT OPTION: Simply add all quinoa bowl ingredients (minus the toppings) to a bowl and mix together until combined. Tightly cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or at least 8 hours). Once ready to serve, heat everything together in a pot, serve in a bowl, and top with topping ingredients.
• MAKE AHEAD: All ingredients can be made and individually stored as meal prep and assembled when ready to serve.
• SERVING: This recipe makes 1 serving. To make this for a bigger family, simply double or triple all ingredients.
• WHAT PLANT-BASED MILKS ARE GOOD FOR THIS RECIPE? You can always use your fave plant-based milk instead of full-fat coconut cream/milk. Any one of the following works: Almond, coconut milk, homemade oat milk (froths/foams VERY WELL), homemade cashew milk, flax milk, etc.
• EQUIPMENT: Here, I’ve curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Winter Quinoa Breakfast Bowl. Everything from my fave baking sheet, dutch ovens, wooden spoons, high-powered blender, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

Nutrition

Calories: 412kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 2146mg | Potassium: 448mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 62g | Vitamin A: 309IU | Vitamin C: 73mg | Calcium: 1074mg | Iron: 1mg

DID YOU MAKE THIS recipe?

Tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea

Winter Quinoa Breakfast Bowl.

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