This apple cinnamon quinoa chia breakfast bowl is a high fiber, nutritious way to start the day – providing warm, comforting flavors and topped with a creamy Greek yogurt maple syrup mixture.
Fiber – it’s so underrated! It has been widely researched that consuming a high fiber diet can help with weight management, blood glucose levels, our gut microbiome, cardiovascular health – yet so many people are not eating enough of it.
This recipe makes 4 servings, so it can be meal prepped in advance for a healthy grab-and-go breakfast. Or, cut it in half and eat it twice!
Give this recipe a try if you’re sick of oatmeal! {Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Friendly}
Why You’ll Want to Make This Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
- Comfort in a bowl: The nuttiness of the quinoa combined with the comforting flavors of tender apples and cinnamon, and a creamy Greek yogurt and maple syrup combo! Topped with sliced almonds for texture and crunch – it’s the perfect bite.
- Improve your “gut health”: The term “gut health” has become increasingly popular over the past decade. The yogurt not only adds creaminess and flavor, but it contains live, active cultures to improve the composition of our gut microbiome.
- Nutritious, filling breakfast: This recipe has 9 grams of fiber and 15.5 grams of protein, both which have been shown to increase meal satiety (or keeping us fuller for longer period of time). It’s also a good source of iron and calcium.
INGREDIENTS
Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Bowl Instructions
Prep Ingredients
Rinse the quinoa well to prevent it from having a bitter taste. Use a fine mesh strainer for best results, until the water runs clear.
Chop apples into cubes or bite-sized pieces of relatively equal size.
Throw It All in a Pot
Add quinoa, milk, chopped apples, vanilla extract and chia seeds to a pot over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn down to low or simmer and place a lid on it. Set a timer for about 15 minutes.
Combine the Greek Yogurt and Maple Syrup
Combine Greek yogurt and maple syrup in a bowl, and mix together.
Assemble the Bowls
Once the quinoa has cooked through (about 15-20 minutes) and the apples are fork tender – it’s done!
Portion out into 4 bowls, top with cinnamon to taste, sliced almonds and Greek yogurt/maple syrup mixture. Add additional drizzle of maple syrup or brown sugar for more sweetness.
If meal prepping for the future, reserve some of the Greek yogurt/maple syrup to the side. It can be added on top of the bowls for meal prep, but microwaving will kill the “good bacteria”.
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Recipe Tips:
- Store the Greek yogurt and maple syrup topping separately if prepping this recipe in advance. Microwaving the yogurt will kill the probiotics, but for ease and convenience you could top each one with it.
- Rinse quinoa well through a fine meshed strainer to prevent the bitter taste.
- Top with whipped cream for a deliciously healthy snack!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Increase the Protein Content?
I usually recommend 20-30 grams of protein at each meal. To increase the protein content, use 1-1 1/2 cups of non-fat Greek yogurt and divide between 4 servings.
You could also whisk protein powder into the Greek yogurt and maple syrup combination!
How Can I Make This Dairy-Free?
Substitute the Greek yogurt with a high protein dairy-free yogurt, like Kite Hill Greek Style Vanilla Yogurt.
How Long Can I Keep the Leftovers?
Leftovers should be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
If freezing, omit the Greek yogurt/maple syrup mixture and prep the day of!
Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Chia Breakfast Bowl {Healthy, High Fiber}
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, uncooked (or 2.5 cups cooked)
- 2 cups Almond milk, or preferred milk
- 1 1/2 medium apples, diced
- 4 tablespoons chia seeds
- 3/4 cup Chobani vanilla non-fat Greek yogurt
- 3/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, or to taste
Instructions
Prep Ingredients
- Rinse the quinoa well to prevent it from having a bitter taste. Use a fine mesh strainer for best results, until the water runs clear.Cut the apples into cubes or bite-sized pieces.
Throw It All in a Pot
- Add quinoa, milk, chopped apples, vanilla extract and chia seeds to a pot over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn down to low or simmer and place a lid on it. Set a timer for about 15 minutes.
Combine the Greek Yogurt and Maple Syrup
- Combine Greek yogurt and maple syrup in a bowl, and mix together.
Assemble the Bowls
- Once the quinoa has cooked through (about 15-20 minutes) and the apples are fork tender – it's done!Portion out into 4 bowls, top with cinnamon to taste, sliced almonds and Greek yogurt/maple syrup mixture. Add additional drizzle of maple syrup or brown sugar for more sweetness. For lower carb content, measure out 1/2 cup of quinoa per bowl.
Notes
- Store the Greek yogurt and maple syrup topping separately if prepping this recipe in advance. Microwaving the yogurt will kill the probiotics, but for ease and convenience you could top each one with it.
- Top with whipped cream for a deliciously healthy snack or breakfast!
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 4 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 425 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 12.8g | 16% |
| Saturated Fat 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 110mg | 5% |
| Total Carbohydrate 69.1g | 25% |
| Dietary Fiber 10.3g | 37% |
| Total Sugars 30.9g | |
| Protein 15.1g | |
| Vitamin D 1mcg | 3% |
| Calcium 340mg | 26% |
| Iron 7mg | 41% |
| Potassium 581mg | 12% |
Such a nice change from oatmeal! I topped with a little whipped cream and it was so good.