Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa

Have a warm and cozy fall or winter morning with this Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa. It makes for a comforting and satisfying breakfast that’s ready when you wake up. Start your morning with a delicious, warm and nutritious meal. Waking up the sweet smell of apple and cinnamon is a plus too!

Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa

This delicious Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa is super comforting. It’s an excellent warm breakfast to wake up to on a frigid winter morning. This breakfast quinoa is rich in protein, fiber and many essential nutrients. Apple cinnamon is a classic flavor combo that makes for a tasty breakfast.

This bowl of breakfast quinoa is amazing. It’s soft and mushy while having a crunch from the apples and walnuts. It also takes very little effort to make this Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa. Just add all ingredients to your crockpot. Place on low setting and let it cook for eight hours overnight. The next morning wake up to a warm, delicious and comforting breakfast. Just serve and add some toppings. Plus you will wake up to a kitchen smelling like apples and cinnamon. How awesome right?

Ingredients needed to make Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa:

• Quinoa- I like to use white quinoa but you can also use red or multi-colored quinoa. 
• Granny Smith Apple- I like to use a tart apple but any will do. 
• Raw Walnuts- You can omit if you’d like or use another nut such as pecans. 
• Maple Syrup- To add some sweetness. Honey will work too. 
• Unsweetened Almond Milk- To add some creaminess to your breakfast quinoa. 
• Spices- Cinnamon sticks, vanilla extract and pink sea salt. 
• Water- Will cook the quinoa.

Equipment needed to make Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa:

• Crockpot- Any slow cooker will do. 
• Vegetable Peeler- For peeling your apple.
• Spatula- To give all of the ingredients a good stir.

How to make Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa:

• Step 1– Start by peeling and dicing green apple, then rinse quinoa thoroughly. Layer quinoa, diced green apple, walnuts, salt, vanilla extract, and maple syrup in crockpot. Pour in water and milk. Toss in cinnamon sticks and give eveything a good stir. 
• Step 2– Place crockpot lid on and set it on low. Cook quinoa for 8 hours overnight.
• Step 3– The next morning, stir cooked quinoa and serve. Top with raw walnuts, chia seeds, apple slices, pecans, and maple syrup. Or any other preferred toppings. Enjoy!

Tips and Substitutions:

1. Make sure to rinse quinoa– Quinoa has a natural coating called saponin. This gives quinoa a bitter and soapy taste. Rinsing it gets rid of this coating and will make your cooked quinoa taste much better.
2. Use any size Crockpot- Any size Crockpot will work or any slow cooker.
3. Switch up your apples– I like to use a tart apple but any will do.
4. Walnuts are optional– Walnuts add some texture and crunchiness to your breakfast quinoa. However, you can skip it if you can’t have nuts or don’t like them. You can also substitute for another nut like pecans.
5. Don’t slow cook for over 8 hours– After that the quinoa will get too mushy.
6. Substitute for maple syrup– You can use honey.
7. Substitute for unsweetened almond milk– You can use oat milk or coconut milk.

Can I make breakfast quinoa in the Instant Pot?

If you want to make this recipe a lot faster you can use the Instant Pot instead. Put all of the ingredients in your IP. Set it to pressure cook for 5 minutes. Yes, just five minutes. Allow NRP and serve immediately. Top with your preferred toppings.

Can I make breakfast quinoa on the stovetop?

If you don’t have a Crockpot or Instant Pot you can very well use your stove. In a medium saucepan add quinoa and water and bring to a boil on medium-high heat. Add the rest of the ingredients and turn heat to low. Cover and allow to simmer for 8 minutes. Stir and continue simmering for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and serve immediately. Top with your preferred toppings.

Toppings you can use for your breakfast quinoa:

• Apple Slices
• Raw Walnuts
• Maple Syrup
• Raw Pecans
• Chia Seeds
• Hemp Hearts
• Bananas

Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa FAQ’s:

Is it OK to eat quinoa for breakfast?

Yes. Quinoa is one of the healthiest and most nutrient-dense superfoods we can consume. It is rich in protein, fiber, and a great energy booster. Makes for a healthy breakfast perfect to start the day with. 

How do you make quinoa taste good?

Make sure you rinse it. Quinoa has a natural coating called saponin. This gives quinoa a bitter and soapy taste. Rinsing it gets rid of this coating and will make your cooked quinoa taste much better.

Is quinoa healthier than rice?

Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbs than rice does. The fibers in quinoa also help to lower cholesterol and control blood sugar levels. Quinoa also contains a higher amount of protein compared to rice. 

Is quinoa a carb or protein?

Although quinoa does contain some protein, it is considered a carbohydrate. It contains many carbs per serving as well as the macronutrient distribution is closer to what you find in other grains and starches.

What does breakfast quinoa taste like?

Breakfast quinoa has a soft and mushy texture much like oatmeal. In this recipe, breakfast quinoa is served with a sweet flavor. You can also cook breakfast quinoa as a savory meal. 

What is the best way to rinse quinoa?

Because quinoa is such a small grain, the best way to rinse it is by using a fine mesh strainer. 

How to store and reheat your Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa:

Store any leftover breakfast quinoa in an airtight Tupperware dish. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. To reheat your breakfast quinoa just add to a saucepan and simmer on low heat on the stovetop for a few minutes until it reaches your desired temperature. Reheat in microwave too for 1-2 minutes.

Liked this Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa recipe? You may also like these other comforting breakfast recipes:

• How to Make Oatmeal
• Sheet Pan Omelet
• Best Gluten-Free Pancakes
• Sweet Potato and Sausage Breakfast Skillet
• Walnut Eggnog French Toast Casserole 

Looking for more quinoa recipes? Check-out these delicious quinoa recipes:

• How to Cook Quinoa
• Quinoa Harvest Bowls
• One Pot Mexican Quinoa
• Quinoa Chickpea Salad
• Kale Quinoa Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing
• Gluten-Free Vegan Quinoa Granola

5 from 3 votes

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Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa

Have a warm and cozy fall or winter morning with this Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa. It makes for a comforting and satisfying breakfast that's ready when you wake up. Start your morning with a delicious, warm and nutritious meal. Waking up the sweet smell of apple and cinnamon is a plus too!

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa, Slow Cooker Breakfast Quinoa

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 8 hours

Total Time 8 hours 5 minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 323 kcal

Author Angelica Arias

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 green apple
• 1/2 cup halved raw walnuts (plus more for garnish)
• 3 cups almond milk
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• pinch pink sea salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 cups water

Instructions

1. Start by peeling and dicing green apple, then rinse quinoa thoroughly. Layer quinoa, diced green apple, walnuts, salt, vanilla extract, and maple syrup in crockpot. Pour in water and milk. Toss in cinnamon sticks and give eveything a good stir.

2. Place crockpot lid on and set it on low. Cook quinoa for 8 hours overnight.

3. The next morning, stir cooked quinoa and serve. Top with raw walnuts, chia seeds, apple slices, pecans, and maple syrup. Or any other preferred toppings. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Tips and Substitutions:

1. Make sure to rinse quinoa– Quinoa has a natural coating called saponin. This gives quinoa a bitter and soapy taste. Rinsing it gets rid of this coating and will make your cooked quinoa taste much better.
2. Use any size Crockpot- Any size Crockpot will work or any slow cooker.
3. Switch up your apples– We like to use a tart apple but any will do.
4. Walnuts are optional– Walnuts add some texture and crunchiness to your breakfast quinoa. However, you can skip it if you can’t have nuts or don’t like them. You can also substitute for another nut like pecans.
5. Don’t slow cook for over 8 hours– After that the quinoa will get too mushy.
6. Substitute for maple syrup– You can use honey.
7. Substitute for unsweetened almond milk– You can use oat milk or coconut milk.

Nutrition Facts

Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa

Amount per Serving

Calories

323

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

14

g

22

%

Saturated Fat

 

1

g

6

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

9

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

3

g

Sodium

 

253

mg

11

%

Potassium

 

373

mg

11

%

Carbohydrates

 

41

g

14

%

Fiber

 

7

g

29

%

Sugar

 

8

g

9

%

Protein

 

9

g

18

%

Vitamin A

 

39

IU

1

%

Vitamin C

 

2

mg

2

%

Calcium

 

289

mg

29

%

Iron

 

3

mg

17

%

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

*Number of total servings in estimated. Actual number of servings may vary depending on your own personal preference in portion sizes.

**Nutritional values shown are general guidelines for 1 serving using the ingredients listed above. These numbers do not reflect and may vary depending on substitutions, additions and/or different brands and/or other ingredients that may be used. 

**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and sponsored content. All the opinions are my own and I only recommend products I use in my own home with my own family. 

***Post originally published on January 02, 2018.