Life is busy no matter what time of year it is, so I’m always on the hunt for healthy make ahead breakfast ideas. I recently started making chocolate quinoa porridge and quickly realized that this was something that I could have on hand for those busy mornings I mentioned. This is a paleo, vegan and versatile recipe that I’m loving and hope you do, too: Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Porridge.

A healthy make ahead breakfast

Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Porridge is made with simple ingredients: quinoa, cocoa powder, dairy free milk and a bit of maple syrup. You simply make the quinoa ahead of time and then prepare your jars so that you can grab them and eat them, or grab them and go. Truth be told, I’m calling this a breakfast recipe, but I’ve been known to eat them for lunch, too! Cooked quinoa is something that I meal prep most weeks, so why not it into a ready-made meal? This is real convenience food!

How to assemble and make ahead chocolate quinoa breakfast porridge

I like to prepare my quinoa on Sunday and then gather my toppings. My favorite mixture includes blueberries, strawberries, sunflower seeds and sun butter with some dried coconut, but there are many other flavor combinations that I’ll list below. To assemble, you simply layer chocolate quinoa in jars, top with fresh fruit and other desired toppings. Add another layer of quinoa and toppings, secure the lid, and either enjoy or refrigerate until ready to enjoy. I would not leave these sitting longer than 3 days, but this also depends on your toppings. Oh, and to make creamier, don’t forget to add more dairy-free milk!

Flavor suggestions for chocolate quinoa breakfast porridge

• Quinoa, blueberries, strawberries, sunbutter, sunflower seeds and dried coconut (my favorite)
• Almond butter, yogurt, cinnamon, peaches, honey and of course, quinoa
• Honey, dark chocolate chunks, coconut pieces and chia seeds, layered with quinoa
• Diced apple, pear, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon and maple syrup in layers between quinoa
• Cooked sweet potato, pumpkin seeds, coconut and dairy free milk (coconut milk works great) with quinoa

5 from 2 votes

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Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Porridge

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Resting time

10 mins

 

Enjoy this paleo, vegan Make Ahead Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Porridge – a protein-packed, healthy make ahead breakfast with so many topping varieties.

Course: Breakfast, Lunch

Cuisine: American

Keyword: breakfast

Servings: 4

Calories: 180 kcal

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa , rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup dairy free milk (see notes for other options)
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 tsp cocoa powder
• 2 tsp maple syrup

Suggested toppings (not included in nutritional breakdown)

• sunbutter or other nut butter
• unsweetened dried coconut flakes
• granola
• fresh blueberries
• fresh strawberries
• cut banana

Instructions

1. To make the quinoa breakfast porridge: Place the quinoa, dairy-free milk, water, cocoa powder and maple syrup in a medium size saucepan (with a tight lid) and heat it over medium high heat. Bring it to a boil, turn the heat down to low, and put the lid on. Cook until most of the liquid is absorbed, 15-18 minutes. Once cooked, let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes. Before serving, fluff it with a fork.

2. Distribute a layer of the quinoa among 4 jars. Add a layer of fresh fruit, coconut flakes, nut butter and optional granola. Add more quinoa, more fruit, and another topping of nut butter. Secure the lid and refrigerate until ready to eat. Eat within 3 days.

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Porridge

Amount Per Serving

Calories 180 Calories from Fat 27

% Daily Value*

Fat 3g5%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 20mg1%

Potassium 281mg8%

Carbohydrates 31g10%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 115IU2%

Vitamin C 2.1mg3%

Calcium 65mg7%

Iron 2.2mg12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

More healthy quinoa recipes:

Quinoa chocolate cake with buttercream frosting

Kale quinoa salad

I hope you enjoy this quinoa breakfast recipe. If you try it out, let us know what your favorite flavor combinations are in the comments below!