This warm quinoa cereal is topped with a caramelized banana and walnut compote, drizzled in almond butter and garnished with superfoods like goji berries and chia seeds. It’s also easily made with buckwheat groats as an alternative (both options in recipe below)!
*Note: This post for quinoa cereal first appeared on February 26, 2012. The recipe has been edited to include a buckwheat option and the photographs updated (shown with buckwheat option, not quinoa).
I used to be OBSESSED with this quinoa cereal back in the day. It’s warm, cozy, much more satisfying than typical cereals and like any breakfast bowl, the topping possibilities are endless. Then, my stomach revolted against quinoa some time in 2014 and it sadly became the one food I can’t eat (think stomachache/cramps that make you feel like you’re gonna die). Not really an “allergy” but something about that damn little seedy/grain-like food just doesn’t agree with my body.
So, I switched things up and started making it with buckwheat groats instead and to be honest, I think I like this version even better. Buckwheat is a bit heartier than quinoa and makes for a really cozy breakfast bowl when served this way (basically like oatmeal) and topped with the caramelized banana walnut compote.
Both versions are in the recipe below. Try them both and decide for yourself! FYI – text is original (and totally irrelevant today, lol – sometimes I wonder what the hell I was babbling about back then!)
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I’m trying not to be bitter.
Really, I am.
But I guarantee you it’s not working and that I’m uncomfortably sitting (from falling off a chair yesterday while doing sandbag step-ups) on a fully booked plane wishing I was still in my pajamas enjoying this with my cup of coffee on the couch for a lazy Sunday morning breakfast.
That was last Sunday.
Today, I’ve been up since 4am and will probably end up pulling a 23-24 hour day because of the time change.
Bright side?
I get to attend a cocktail hour in the space needle which I’ve always been too cheap to pay the ridiculous amount of money they want to go to the top every time I’ve been in Seattle.
This is barely a “recipe” and more so just one delicious way to enjoy quinoa that you probably haven’t thought of.
Warmed, with coconut milk and topped with a mixture of caramelized bananas, walnuts and almond butter. Extra taste points for eating it with a little spoon.
Don’t worry, the quinoa negates the butter used to caramelize the bananas. Fact.
Fair warning though, husbands have been known to eat remaining caramelized banana walnut mixture straight from the pan in the 2 minutes you turn your back (to take pictures).
Don’t make that mistake.
You can also make the bananas in the air fryer if you prefer and maybe he won’t see them there.
Love this quinoa cereal with caramelized bananas recipe?
Try other quinoa recipes like Mango kiwi breakfast quinoa, Meyer Lemon Quinoa Pancakes, and Quinoa Breakfast Cookies with Oatmeal and Raisins.
You can also use quinoa as one of a handful of gluten-free grains to make a breakfast grain bowl recipe or try it as a savory side dish by making cheesy quinoa.
Quinoa Cereal with Caramelized Bananas
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/2 – 3/4 cup coconut milk
- 1 banana, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons walnuts, chopped
- 1 tablespoon agave
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon almond butter, if desired
Instructions
- Combine bananas, spices, walnuts and agave in a small bowl and toss to coat.
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add banana walnut mixture.
- Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until bananas start to caramelize.
- While bananas cook, divide quinoa into two bowls and pour coconut milk on top. Warm in microwave.
- Add caramelized banana mixture to quinoa and drizzle with almond butter if using.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
Caramelized anything makes all things wonderful! Enjoy your time in the space needle and let us know if it is worth paying for. I plan to visit the area in the next few years and would love to know if it’s just a rip or something you should just do once to say you have.
I love caramelized bananas and made some yesterday morning…I think I need to do it again right now!
Yum Yum Yum! I’ve got a pile of bananas that are just begging to mingle with some walnuts and cinnamon. And I also hate it when husbands do that (especially because I probably had plans for the caramelized bananas and walnuts, for example eating them with a spoon…or on top of ice cream) :-)
exactly! ;)
Yummy! What a great breakfast!!! I am yet to cook with quinoa, but I have a box begging to be used! This recipe sounds great!!
This looks amazing! Yumm:)
You know what? We have a lot of quinoa because someone didn’t look in the pantry before going grocery shopping. I have not thought of eating it as an oatmeal. This is indeed perfect for today. Thank you. Have fun in Seattle… Let me know of any good restaurant finds.
I do that all the time. You should see the stash of wheatberries I have b/c of that exact reason.
have a fun trip! And I loveee pan frying bananas, its such an easy way to take a dish up a notch. Lovely breakfast!
Totally going to make this for breakfast this week!
This sounds heavenly. I’ve been wanting to try quinoa for breakfast for a while now, and I think this is just the recipe to get me to follow through.
Sorry about the 4am wake-up call, that’s rough. Getting a free trip to the top of the space needle will surely make up for some of that inconvenience. Any maybe expensing some KIND bars? ;)
oh. my. gosh. That’s it – I have to have this for breakfast some time this week! It looks so good!