Ever wake up just totally sick of your usual breakfast? Like, if you see one more plain bowl of oatmeal, you might just burst? This breakfast quinoa with cinnamon apples recipe is my rescue plan when I’m feeling “meh” about mornings. It’s hearty enough to keep me full for hours, kinda like a secret superfood disguised as comfort food. I can whip it up even before I’ve had coffee, and that’s saying something! If you want a cozy, healthy way to start your day, you honestly need to give it a go. 
What You’ll Need to Make Cinnamon Apple Breakfast Quinoa
First things first, you don’t need anything super fancy to make this happen. Grab some quinoa (white or tri-color, I’m not picky), a big, crunchy apple (I like Gala, but Granny Smith works for a tart twist). Now, cinnamon! More is more in my book. Maple syrup makes it sweet, but not too sweet, and a splash of any milk you like helps get it all creamy.
Let me just say, don’t skip the pinch of salt. It sounds weird, but it really brings out the flavors. Walnuts or pecans? Chef’s kiss if you ask me. Plus, that cozy smell when you cook the apples in cinnamon, oh my word, your kitchen will smell like a five-star bakery for an hour. This dish is also vegan-friendly if you use plant milk, just in case that matters to you. 
How to Make Power Porridge
Honestly, it’s the simplest thing ever, but let me talk you through it like we’re in the kitchen together. First, rinse the quinoa! I learned that the hard way. If you skip rinsing, it tastes kinda weirdly bitter. Ick. Once that’s done, just toss quinoa and double the amount of water in a pot. Bring it to a boil, then drop the heat low. Lid on. Let it do its thing for about 15 minutes until you see those little rings pop out.
Okay, apples in a separate pan now. Slice ‘em (sometimes I’m too lazy to peel—no biggie). Sizzle with cinnamon and just a dab of coconut oil or butter. When they’re soft and caramel-ly, dump apples, syrup, cinnamon, and a splash of milk into the quinoa. Stir it up. I sometimes get wild and put in extra cinnamon. This is a “trust your gut” situation. Now, pile it into bowls, throw nuts on top. Dig in.
You can make it ahead, too! I keep a few jars in the fridge for grab-and-go breakfasts all week. This stuff reheats like a champ. 
“I never thought I’d like quinoa for breakfast, but this was actually so good and filling! My ten-year-old asked for seconds. Total game-changer.”
—Maggie K., reader in Indiana
More Quinoa Breakfast Recipes
So maybe you’re all-in on quinoa now (totally get it). There’s a whole wacky world of breakfast quinoa bowls out there. I’ve done a Peanut Butter Banana Quinoa and wasn’t mad about it. Some days, I lean tropical with mango and toasted coconut flakes. Even tried one with pumpkin puree last fall—unreal with extra nutmeg.
The trick is keeping things simple, so you don’t end up with a science project first thing in the morning. Mix up fruit, throw nuts or seeds on top, and try adding chia seeds if you’re feeling health-nut-ish. You can even mix and match milks and spices. It’s kinda endless. If you ever get bored, just try a new combo. Makes breakfast less boring.
Related Posts
Got a soft spot for breakfast that’s not toast? Check out my posts on overnight oats and banana chocolate chip baked oatmeal (legit tastes like cake for breakfast). I also did a super-quick three-ingredient smoothie bowl post last month if you want something cool and summery. Those recipes are all easy, promise.
If you’re about that healthy-eating life but hate bland food, you’ll find more no-fuss crowd-pleasers on my blog. Just poke around a bit. You might fall down a rabbit hole of tasty things by accident. Wouldn’t be the worst, right?
You May Also Like…
- Add a swirl of almond butter on top for more creaminess
- Try a sprinkle of hemp hearts or pumpkin seeds for crunch
- Use pears instead of apples if that’s what ya got
- For extra sweetness, add a few raisins or chopped dates
Common Questions
Can I make this the night before?
Totally. It stores in the fridge, just reheat with a splash of milk in the morning.
What apples work best here?
Honestly, whatever’s on sale is fine, but Honeycrisp makes it real fancy.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yep, freezes pretty well. Thaw in the fridge and warm it back up on the stove.
How do I stop quinoa from tasting bitter?
Don’t forget to rinse it! That’s the key. Rinsing washes away the bitterness.
Can I skip the nuts?
Of course! It’ll still taste great. Seeds, coconut flakes, or just nothing work too.
Here’s to Cozy Breakfasts Ahead
If you’re bored of sad cereal, this is your ticket out. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and it counts as healthy. Hope you’ll try this cozy breakfast bowl soon and make it your own. Got any flavor ideas? Drop ‘em in the comments below! For more tips on easy, healthy breakfasts check out this Everyday Healthy Breakfasts guide. Good luck, and may your mornings be just a little bit warmer.
Cinnamon Apple Breakfast Quinoa
Ingredients
Method
- Rinse the quinoa under cold water to remove bitterness.
- In a pot, combine the rinsed quinoa and double the amount of water (2 cups).
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for about 15 minutes or until quinoa is fluffy and rings pop out.
- In a separate pan, melt coconut oil or butter over medium heat.
- Slice the apples and add them to the pan along with cinnamon. Sauté until apples are soft and caramelized.
- Add the cooked apples, maple syrup, and a splash of milk to the cooked quinoa. Stir well to combine.
- Serve in bowls and top with walnuts or pecans, if desired.