Wholesome Quinoa Breakfast Porridge
This creamy quinoa breakfast porridge is a healthy, protein-packed alternative to oatmeal, made with chia, hemp, and flax seeds for extra fiber and omega-3s. Naturally gluten-free and customizable with your favorite toppings, it’s the perfect nourishing start to your day.

WHY I MADE THIS QUINOA AND SEEDS BREAKFAST BOWL
I’m not typically a breakfast girl, but when I do eat breakfast I always try to pack in as many nutrients as I can, because I really do feel the difference depending on how I started my day. I’ve seen so many great articles about the magic of seeds (like chia, hemp seeds, and flaxseeds), and I can attest that these little superfoods are miracles of nature.
We should all try to eat more seeds for the fiber, protein, omega 3’s, and antioxidant benefits, but it’s not always easy to incorporate them into our diet. Chia seed pudding comes to mind, but I like to enjoy a warm breakfast during the cooler winter months, and that’s when I had the idea of adding a blitz of seeds to a morning quinoa porridge.
I’m no stranger to having quinoa for breakfast (check out this Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Recipe from the archives). Quinoa has more protein than oats, and is a great source of fiber, too. I like to cook it like oatmeal or porridge (which is what I grew up eating for breakfast in my Caribbean household), add some spices and vanilla, top with fruit, and voila!
Such an easy and delicious way to start the day. Plus, you’ll have some leftovers that you can enjoy throughout the week, which makes this such an easy meal prep breakfast recipe to have on hand as we slide into the busy holiday season.

QUINOA PORRIDGE KEY INGREDIENTS
I’m making a conscious effort to eat more seeds, because benefits of seeds like chia, hemp, and flax seeds are just too good to ignore! Not only are seeds a great source of omega 3’s and other micronutrients, they are also a great source of fiber and protein.
If you follow a plant based diet (or, even if you don’t), seeds are an awesome superfood to start incorporating into your diet. I’ve eaten a LOT of chia pudding in my time, but sometimes a warm, healthy breakfast bowl is in order, especially during these cooler months.
Pairing these plant seeds with quinoa makes this superfood porridge recipe an amazing way to start your day every morning. Your gut will be so happy, it will write you a letter thanking you.
- Chia Seeds: a source of antioxidants, omega 3’s, and all nine essential amino acids!
- Hemp Seeds: contains all of the above, as well as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a type of omega-6 that may reduce inflammation.
- Flaxseeds: antioxidants, omega 3’s, and lignans (plant compounds with antioxidant and phytoestrogen properties), may support hormonal balance in women.
Long story short, seeds are amazing! This healthy breakfast bowl is also made with:
- Quinoa: rich in fiber and protein, naturally gluten free, contains many micronutrients, and rich in antioxidants.
So, every single ingredient in this breakfast bowl is going to nourish your body in the way that it needs. I love this quinoa breakfast because it tastes great, keeps me full, and it’s easy for me to digest. I definitely notice how much better I feel when I start my day with it.
Plus, it’s really easy to meal prep this superfood packed breakfast! More on that in the “How Do I Store This?” section below.

MY SUPERFOOD PORRIDGE RECIPE
The full instructions on how to make this quinoa breakfast bowl is in the recipe card below, but here’s the gist of it.
Be sure to scroll down to read the full recipe!
- Blitz the chia, hemp, and flax seeds in a coffee grinder or a food processor until it turns into a powder. You want to make sure you do this rather than consuming the seeds whole (particularly chia seeds and flaxseeds), because it’s easier to digest and your body will absorb the nutrients a lot better.
- Add the quinoa, milk, seed mixture, cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla to a pot.
- Cook, uncovered, for about 15-20 minutes, maintaining a gentle simmer, until the quinoa is softened.
- Divide the porridge between bowls and top with whatever you like!

HOW LONG DOES THIS HEALTHY BREAKFAST TAKE TO MAKE?
This is one of my quickest and easiest recipes! It takes about 25 minutes to make, start to finish, and you’ll have meal prep leftovers so you can enjoy this quinoa breakfast porridge for a few days after you make it.
- Prep time: 5 mins
- Bake time: 20 minutes
HOW TO STORE THIS ANTIOXIDANT PORRIDGE?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
This quinoa breakfast cereal tastes great hot or cold! You can enjoy leftovers straight out of the fridge in the morning, or warm it up on the stovetop or in the microwave if you want to have a warm breakfast.

QUINOA BREAKFAST PORRIDGE FAQ
1. Can I make quinoa porridge ahead of time?
Yes! Quinoa porridge stores well in the fridge for 4-5 days in an airtight container. Just reheat with a splash of milk or water to loosen it up.
2. Do I need to rinse quinoa before cooking?
It’s a good idea. Rinsing removes the natural coating called saponin, which can give quinoa a slightly bitter taste. Most packaged quinoa is pre-rinsed, but rinsing again never hurts.
3. What toppings go best with quinoa porridge?
Fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, nut butter, shredded coconut, or a drizzle of honey or maple syrup are all delicious. You can switch toppings too to keep it interesting.
4. Is quinoa porridge gluten-free?
Yes, quinoa is naturally gluten-free. Just be sure to use certified gluten-free ingredients.
5. Do I need to grind the seeds for this recipe?
Yes, grinding the chia, hemp, and flax seeds makes their nutrients easier for your body to absorb. You’ll only need 1 tablespoon of the mixture for the porridge, but the rest can be stored in the fridge and used in smoothies, oatmeal, or sprinkled on top of the porridge for extra nutrition.
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Healthy Quinoa Breakfast Porridge
Equipment
Ingredients
Seeds
- 1/2 tbsp EACH chia, hemp, flax seeds
Quinoa Porridge
- 1 c quinoa rinsed and drained
- 2 – 2 1/2 c milk sub: non-dairy milk
- 1 cinnamon stick OR 1 tsp cinnamon
- 3 cloves OR 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Topping Ideas: banana, blueberries, dates, cacao nibs, coconut flakes, almonds, honey
Instructions
Seeds
- Blitz the chia, hemp, and flax seeds in a coffee grinder or a food processor until it turns into a powder. We will be using 1 tbsp of the seed mixture for this recipe. Go ahead and store the rest in the fridge, sprinkling it on your quinoa porridge, oatmeal, smoothies, anything!
Quinoa Porridge
- Place a medium pan over medium heat. Add the quinoa, and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Add the milk, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Bring to a simmer, and add in 1 tbsp of the seed mixture, cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla.
- Cook the quinoa porridge, uncovered, for about 15-20 minutes, maintaining a gentle simmer, until the quinoa is softened. Add a splash more milk, if needed, to reach the desired consistency. I like my porridge a bit thinner so I always add more milk.
- Remove the cinnamon and cloves, if using.
- Divide the porridge between bowls and top with your favorite fruit!

HI, I’M SAM!
I’m so glad you found salt n sprinkles! I started this blog to show that good, healthy food is both easy and delicious to prepare at home. Whether you have a dietary restriction or just like to try new recipes in the kitchen, I hope you find just what you’re looking for here.
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19 responses to “Wholesome Quinoa Breakfast Porridge”
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Can you make this in an instant pot?
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I haven’t tried it, but I think it could work! Let me know how it goes 🙂
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I love this recipe! Its my hyperfixation right now i love it! I added in a Cream of Earl Grey tea bag for when I’m feeling those flavors.
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I love this! I’ve made a basic quinoa porridge before, but this is so much better. I’ll regularly be grinding the seed mix too, because it’s so versatile and nutritious. My little one enjoyed the porridge as well, with yoghurt and blueberry and raspberry chia-seed jam. Yum!
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Yay! So glad you enjoyed 🙂
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I looked for the nutritional info on this since I am learning to get enough fiber with my protein but I can’t find it. Thanks for all of the recipes!-
Thank you Suzanne!
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Thank you! So if you’re toasting, does that mean you’re not washing the quinoa or soaking it before cooking in the mix? I do think it’s a good idea to get those saponins (and potential chemical sprays) off first…
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Thanks Tim! In the recipe card instructions I mention rinsing and draining the quinoa. Definitely want to rinse them first!
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I love this recipe before I’ve even made it! I just started working on getting lots of fiber every day. Do you think this be okay saving two of the servings for the following couple of days? Seems it might get gummy with the chia seed powder in it. Maybe just warm it up with more milk added?-
Hi Beth, I’m so glad you loved this recipe! Yes I typically divide it into 4 portions and store the rest in the fridge to eat throughout the week. Just add a little bit more milk to thin it out again and you’ll be good to go!
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I love the idea of this! Unfortunately, my stomach always gets so messed up when I have quinoa. Are there substitutions I can make?-
Definitely use oats or even amaranth!
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Super easy to make and I really enjoyed it. Will put in the rotation for breakfast
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Thanks so much!
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Hey this looks fantastic, can’t wait to try. Wondering what you think about doing something similar with buckwheat groats…
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Hi! I love buckwheat, I think you should give it a try!
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I love this recipe. I made it, and it turned out so delicious. I’m eating it right now as I write this review.
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Thank you Wislaine!






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