Breakfast Quinoa

You’ve got to make breakfast quinoa topped with fruit and honey! It’s a great alternative to oatmeal and a healthy meal to start your day. We’ll show you how to make pressure cooker quinoa but sweeter this time.

Well it was something new to me this year and I absolutely love it! As a side dish it is wonderful, and a great alternative to rice with more protein. This time we thought we’d sweeten it up and everyone loved it. It’s now added to our Instant Pot recipes page.

I always just cooked Instant Pot white rice as a side dish or oatmeal for breakfast in the past. The other day I took this normally savory side and added sweetness to it. It was such a hit with my husband and kids that I thought I would share it with all of you.

This turns out a bit like our overnight oats but warm, which means it is better for cold mornings when it is snowing. The toppings you can add are numerous but in the morning we typically want something sweet like chocolate chips or fruit. For a more savory start you could follow our pressure cooker chicken quinoa casserole instead.

Ingredient Notes

Quinoa grains, white is what we used here but there are many others out there to choose from. The most nutritious would be tri color quinoa but it is firmer with more of a chew.

Water for cooking or really you could use any liquid you wanted. Like if you wanted a way to sweeten without honey or agave I would use half water and half fruit juice, like apple, to cook it in which will help.

As for the topping sweet generally will add berries. If you wanted it to be looser instead of milk add a bit of our homemade coffee creamer on top!!

Another great grain to try this with is to follow our how to cook couscous and serve it sweetened to see which you prefer (same sort of idea).

Stove top Method

This is very much like making savory oatmeal in a pot really except that it does take a little longer to get tender.

• Add 1 cup quinoa + 2 cups of water to a small saucepan
• Bring to a boil
• Put a lid on your pot
• Lower your heat to low
• Simmer about 10-12 minutes cook time until desired tenderness
• Fluff up and serve

Slow Cooker Method

• Add 1:2 ratio of quinoa and water
  • Usually want to add at least 2 cups quinoa + 4 cups water but can add more, just use this ratio
• Put lid on
• Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours or until desired tenderness and fluff before serving. Works similarly to our slow cooker brown rice dish.

Pressure Cooker Method

I share directions below which is my favorite, cooked fast with steam. You can make this as a Ninja Foodi recipe using the lid that is not attached, or in your Crockpot Express. Any brand of electric pressure cooker works that has the high pressure function.

How to Serve

If you want to make a really big batch this is a great way to do just that. Reduce heat when done to the warm setting and it can sit for a good hour. Have maple syrup, dairy free coconut milk, vanilla almond milk, chia seeds and fruit on the side to add to the top.

You could make this for Christmas breakfast and have a whole bar full of toppings. Anything you would normally serve with a bowl full of oatmeal would go with this as well. It is a fun twist to the traditional and kids love all the different choices to “dress it up”.

Quinoa Nutrition

I mean this stuff is golden, and tastes so great when you jazz it up with goodness blended inside and fresh fruit is the best on the top. I buy what is on sale and in season for the best flavors with a bit of honey.

• It’s high in protein
• Quinoa is high in fiber
• A naturally gluten free grain means everyone can enjoy it
• This has a lot of minerals so it is a nutritious beginning to your day

Can you save leftover quinoa?

This doesn’t save very well to be quite honest. It is a bit like rice that way. There isn’t a great way to keep it moist to enjoy for the next day so I would just enjoy it for brunch if there is any left. If you absolutely want to save put it in a bag and suck out the air. Reheat with a bit of milk on top covered to steam and add moisture.

Other easy Instant Pot Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love

Pressure cooker jam using any fruit in season on toast is a great one. Instant Pot rice pudding is great, or try an air fryer breakfast idea Cheesy Pressure cooker breakfast using eggs and making a savory bundt cake!

For an overnight option I would suggest our cinnamon oatmeal. Jump to recipe and leave a comment below if you add something else you love in or on top of this delicious dish. If you love quinoa and want it done in about 15 minutes I would go with this method.