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    Home » Recipes » 30 Minute Recipes

    Crunchy Quinoa Breakfast Cereal (Gluten Free)

    Published: Jan 22, 2016 · Modified: Aug 28, 2020 by Jenn Sebestyen

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    Crunchy Quinoa Breakfast Cereal - this gluten free breakfast cereal is a great way to use up leftover quinoa. It's crunchy from the toasted quinoa, nuts and seeds, spiced with cinnamon and lightly sweetened with a touch of pure maple syrup and a few dried apricots.

    Crunchy Quinoa Breakfast Cereal is so much better for you than store bought packaged cereal. It’s gluten free, refined sugar free, and a complete protein! Start your day off right! Bonus: it’s a great way to use up leftover quinoa!

    Crunchy Quinoa Breakfast Cereal

    I love cold cereal for breakfast (or snacks), but I don’t love all the junk that they’re usually made from. Even the “healthy” ones generally have more sugar than needed and sometimes contain oil. This Crunchy Quinoa Breakfast Cereal is super easy to make. And if you have leftover cooked quinoa, it only takes about 20 minutes. You can make a big batch of this and keep it in an air tight container to enjoy all week.

    Crunchy Quinoa Breakfast Cereal

    Loaded with Healthy Whole Foods

    This quinoa breakfast cereal is also loaded up with the crunch of hemp seeds, almonds and pecans, spiced with flavorful cinnamon, and lightly sweetened with pure maple syrup and dried apricots. I love the chewy apricots paired with the crunchy nuts and seeds.

    I guess you could call this granola, but I usually think of granola containing oats and this crunchy cereal does not, which is great for those sensitive or allergic to oats.

    Crunchy Quinoa Breakfast Cereal

    Use Up Leftover Quinoa

    I used tricolor quinoa in this crunchy cereal because I love the color, but any variety would work. Leftover quinoa works best since it’s already dried out a bit. You can use fresh quinoa too, but it might take longer to dry out and crisp up. If you try it with fresh quinoa, let me know how it turns out!

    Need another idea for using up leftover quinoa? Try my Chocolate Chip Quinoa Snack Cake! It’s a reader favorite!

    Crunchy Quinoa Breakfast Cereal

    Top It Off

    I love this crunchy quinoa breakfast cereal with fresh berries, for a nice contrast of textures and flavors, and a splash of rice milk. Of course, your favorite fruit (bananas, melons, kiwi, pears, apples, etc.) and non-dairy milk (almond, soy, cashew, etc.) would work too.

    It’s the perfect, healthy, protein packed, plant based way to start your day!

    Crunchy Quinoa Breakfast Cereal

    Crunchy Quinoa Breakfast Cereal

    I hope you love this Quinoa Breakfast Cereal as much as we do. If you give it a try, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. You can also find me on social media. Be sure to tag @veggie_inspired and #veggieinspired so I’m sure to see it! Enjoy!

    Crunchy Quinoa Breakfast Cereal

    This Crunchy Quinoa Breakfast Cereal is the perfect way to start your day! It's gluten free, oil free, refined sugar free, and a complete protein. Crunchy from the seeds and nuts, spiced with cinnamon, and lightly sweetened with pure maple syrup and dried apricots - it's delicious topped with fresh berries and a splash of non-dairy milk!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Course: Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine: dairy free, gluten free, vegan
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 ½ cup servings
    Calories: 352kcal
    Author: Jenn Sebestyen

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup cooked and cooled quinoa (leftover quinoa works best)
    • ¼ cup hemp hearts (hulled hemp seeds)
    • ¼ cup raw almonds (chopped)
    • ¼ cup raw pecans (chopped)
    • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
    • 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • ¼ cup dried apricots (chopped)

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
    • In a medium bowl combine all ingredients except the dried apricots.
    • Bake in a single layer for 20-25 minutes on a parchment lined baking sheet, stirring every 10 minutes.
    • When it's finished, add the dried apricots.
    • Let cool completely on the baking sheet. It will crisp up more as it cools.
    • Enjoy topped with fresh berries and splash of non-dairy milk.

    Notes

    ~This will keep for several days in an air-tight container.
    ~It's also delicious plain as a snack.
    ~Be sure to always rinse your quinoa well before cooking.
     
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 149mg | Potassium: 752mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 18g

    Nutrition values are calculated using online calculators and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data.

    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @Veggie_Inspired or tag #VeggieInspired!

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    Crunchy Quinoa Breakfast Cereal - this gluten free breakfast cereal is a great way to use up leftover quinoa. It's crunchy from the toasted quinoa, nuts and seeds, spiced with cinnamon, and lightly sweetened with a touch of pure maple syrup and a few dried apricots. With some fresh berries and a splash of non-dairy milk, this might just be your new go-to breakfast. This crunchy quinoa breakfast cereal would also be great as a topping for yogurt or smoothie bowls.

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    Comments

    1. Jonna Hirschman says

      January 14, 2020 at 9:11 pm

      Do you know what the carb count would be without the apricots? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Jenn Sebestyen says

        January 15, 2020 at 7:12 am

        Hi, Jonna. I’m not sure what program I originally used to calculate the nutrition facts, but I just ran it through My Fitness Pal and I’m getting something different now. I’ve updated the post to reflect the new stats. Without the apricots, I’m getting 31g of carbs and about half the sugar. Please note, that online calculators are just estimations and I can not guarantee they are correct. Please see my Nutrition Disclaimer for more information.

        Reply
    2. Jocelyn says

      May 30, 2016 at 8:22 pm

      Just wanted to let you know that this is one of my “go-to” breakfast recipes. Love it warm & cold! Brilliant idea for extra quinoa.

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        May 30, 2016 at 9:01 pm

        That’s so great to hear, Jocelyn! Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoy it!

        Reply
    3. Celeste says

      February 25, 2016 at 1:02 pm

      Hi, Loved your recipe! Do you know if it can be stored?5 stars

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        February 25, 2016 at 1:30 pm

        Hi, Celeste! I’m so glad you loved it! Thank you! Yes, you can store it in an airtight container for several days. Mine didn’t last longer than that, so I’m not sure exactly how long it will last.

        Reply
    4. Megan says

      January 28, 2016 at 1:40 pm

      I love the idea of this cereal! I’m definitely going to try it soon.

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        January 28, 2016 at 2:34 pm

        Thanks so much, Megan! I hope you love it! Please come back and let me know what you think!

        Reply
    5. athleticavocado says

      January 23, 2016 at 8:41 am

      What a fantastic alternative to granola! I love making granola, but I ALWAYs have leftover quinoa in my fridge! Now I know what to do with it!

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        January 23, 2016 at 9:37 am

        I’m all about using up those leftovers!! Though this is so good, I might make quinoa JUST for this! 🙂

        Reply
    6. veggiesdontbite says

      January 22, 2016 at 11:27 pm

      I love the crunchy in this! Texture is my thing, and this looks perfect. Yum!

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        January 23, 2016 at 9:37 am

        Thanks, Sophia! I think you would love it!

        Reply
    7. Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says

      January 22, 2016 at 2:43 pm

      This sounds so flavourful and healthy. I will admit I am not a breakfast person…but this does sound good. I could eat his for lunch too.

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        January 22, 2016 at 3:22 pm

        It’s great as a snack too! Or a little treat before bedtime. Really, anytime of day! 🙂 Thanks, Gloria!

        Reply
    8. cookingontheweekends says

      January 22, 2016 at 2:14 pm

      What a gorgeous and healthy way to start the day!

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        January 22, 2016 at 3:21 pm

        Thank you, Valentina!

        Reply
    9. The Vegan 8 says

      January 22, 2016 at 12:29 pm

      Such a great idea to make cereal from the cooked quinoa! I’m not a fan of quinoa, too strong and mushy, so cooking it this way would totally make me a fan! Looks amazing.

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        January 22, 2016 at 3:19 pm

        Thanks, Brandi! I don’t like my quinoa mushy either. I tend to undercook it so it still has a little bite!

        Reply
    10. Natalie says

      January 22, 2016 at 11:31 am

      I love quinoa mixed into granola, so why not granola/cereal just made of all quinoa! The texture looks delish, I’m glad you still got some fruity sweet chunks in there 🙂 This would be a great smoothie bowl topping too!

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        January 22, 2016 at 12:12 pm

        Thanks, Natalie! And I just realized I didn’t add the apricots to the DIRECTIONS. Oops! Fixed now!

        Reply
    11. foodhuntersguide says

      January 22, 2016 at 9:56 am

      I want this for breakfast!

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        January 22, 2016 at 11:01 am

        Do it!! 🙂 Thanks, Theresa!

        Reply
    12. Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction says

      January 22, 2016 at 9:44 am

      What a scrumptious, healthy looking breakfast! Yum!

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        January 22, 2016 at 11:01 am

        Thank you, Marsha!

        Reply
    13. munchiesandmunchkins says

      January 22, 2016 at 9:34 am

      I would have never thought to use quinoa as breakfast cereal. Great idea and pics too!

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        January 22, 2016 at 11:01 am

        Thank you so much, Becky! The quinoa has such a nice crunch!

        Reply
    14. Strength and Sunshine says

      January 22, 2016 at 7:55 am

      The greatest oat-free granola cereal fun! I LOVE it!!!! A little crunch in the morning with a protein punch 😉

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        January 22, 2016 at 9:12 am

        Thank you, Rebecca! It’s so good! Even the kids loved it. I just told them it was granola and they didn’t question it a bit. 🙂

        Reply

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    Jenn Sebestyen of Veggie Inspired

    Hi, I'm Jenn! This is where I share easy plant-based family recipes. Let me show you just how easy it is to get your daily dose of fruits and veggies in a delicious and satisfying way!

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