Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Bowl (Printable)

Fluffy quinoa paired with tender apples and cinnamon for a cozy morning bowl.

# What You Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed

→ Liquids

02 - 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
03 - ½ 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 - ¼ 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)

# Directions:

01 - In a medium saucepan, mix quinoa, almond milk, vanilla extract, diced apple, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
02 - Bring mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes, stirring occasionally until quinoa is tender and creamy.
03 - Remove from heat and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes. Fluff quinoa gently with a fork.
04 - Divide into serving bowls and top with chopped walnuts or pecans, dried raisins or cranberries, and additional apple slices if desired.
05 - Drizzle with extra maple syrup to taste and serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the rare breakfast that feels both wholesome and indulgent without any guilt creeping in.
  • The whole thing comes together in less time than it takes to shower, yet tastes like you've been cooking since sunrise.
  • Quinoa keeps you genuinely full for hours, not the fake full that leaves you searching the pantry by mid-morning.
02 -
  • Rinsing the quinoa is non-negotiable—skip it and the bowl tastes flat and slightly bitter, which ruins the whole delicate balance.
  • Don't walk away during those 15 minutes; stirring occasionally keeps the bottom from scorching and helps the texture turn creamy instead of dense.
  • The apple is doing double duty, sweetening the liquid and softening into the grain, so use one that won't turn into applesauce—firm varieties are your friend.
03 -
  • Toast your nuts for two minutes in a dry pan before adding them—it wakes up their flavor and makes the whole bowl taste more refined.
  • If you forget to rinse the quinoa or you're using pre-rinsed, taste a spoonful as it cooks; if it tastes bitter, you'll know why.
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