Cinnamon-Scented Breakfast Quinoa

A warming breakfast bowl featuring fragrant cinnamon-infused quinoa topped with crunchy walnuts, sweet maple syrup, and a splash of milk. This nutritious morning meal combines protein-rich quinoa with aromatic spices for a healthy start to your day.

4 servings

35 min

Published October 4, 2025

Ingredients

•1 cup quinoa (all red or a mix of red, white, or black)
•1½ cups water
•2 pieces cinnamon sticks
•¼ teaspoon salt
•½ cup walnuts
•2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
•½ cup milk
•¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt

Cooking Instructions

1.
Wash quinoa in several changes of water in a bowl, rubbing grains and letting them settle before pouring off water (if quinoa does not settle, drain in a large fine-mesh sieve after each rinse), until water is clear.
5 min
2.
Drain washed quinoa well in a large fine-mesh sieve.
2 min
3.
Combine all ingredients in a heavy medium saucepan and bring to a boil, covered. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until water is absorbed and quinoa is tender, about 20 minutes.
20 min
4.
Remove pan from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and keep covered to keep warm. Remove cinnamon sticks.
5 min
5.
Divide quinoa among bowls and top with walnuts, maple syrup or honey, milk, and sea salt.
3 min

Cooking Instructions

Wash quinoa in several changes of water in a bowl, rubbing grains and letting them settle before pouring off water (if quinoa does not settle, drain in a large fine-mesh sieve after each rinse), until water is clear.

5 min

Drain washed quinoa well in a large fine-mesh sieve.

2 min

Combine all ingredients in a heavy medium saucepan and bring to a boil, covered. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until water is absorbed and quinoa is tender, about 20 minutes.

20 min

Remove pan from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and keep covered to keep warm. Remove cinnamon sticks.

5 min

Divide quinoa among bowls and top with walnuts, maple syrup or honey, milk, and sea salt.

3 min