These superfood-packed quinoa breakfast bowls are creamy, satisfying and bursting with nutrients. They make an amazing breakfast all year round!
This post is sponsored by iHerb.com.
There’s just something special about a meal you can enjoy from a bowl.
I’m a firm believer that pretty much any food is more comforting and satisfying when it is eaten from a bowl. This Superfood Quinoa Breakfast Bowl is no exception.
The first time I ever tried quinoa, nearly five years ago, I tried it in the form of a breakfast bowl. That version had pre-cooked quinoa with dried fruit, mashed banana, cinnamon and honey. I instantly fell in love with the grain and had enjoyed that same preparation of breakfast quinoa ever since. While that version is delicious, recently I had the urge to try something a little different. I wanted a creamier quinoa bowl (the version I mentioned above is a little soupy), and I wanted to step my toppings game up.
Way up.
My two favorite toppings for this dish just so happen to be antioxidant superstars: goji berries and cacao nibs. Goji berries are a great source of vitamin C, beta-carotene and amino acids. They are slightly sweet and add amazing texture to the breakfast bowl. I also love making on-the-go trail mix with goji berries, shredded coconut, almonds and a few pieces of dark chocolate. YASSSSS.
Cacao nibs are ground up pieces of raw, unprocessed cacao beans (once processed, cacao becomes chocolate/cocoa). Cacao nibs are a good source of iron and magnesium and fiber. Because cacao nibs don’t have any added sugar, they aren’t as sweet like your traditional chocolate pieces. Even without the added sugar cacao nibs are still really tasty and add a fun crunch to the quinoa bowl.
If you’re looking to get some superfood goodness in your life, I have a fun giveaway you might be interested in 😉
Ingredients like goji berries and cacao nibs are fantastic, but they aren’t always available at the regular grocery store. For years now, I have loved ordering specialty ingredients from iHerb.com. iHerb is an online retailer that sells tons of wellness-focused products at affordable prices. They sell everything from vitamins and supplements to natural foods, and have been one of my go-to websites for quite some time. The folks at iHerb were kind enough to sponsor two $50 shopping sprees for two lucky readers. The giveaway will be open until next Monday, February 8, 2016 at midnight PST.
Here are the important deets:
- Winners must create an iHerb account to redeem the $50 credit.
- Shipping will be taken care of for both US and non-US winners. Winners outside of the US are responsible for any additional taxes/duties/brokerage fees levied to them by their Customs Agency and/or Postal Service.
- Also, for any of my non-US folks, please make sure iHerb ships to your country before entering by visiting iHerb.com, adding a product to your shopping cart and clicking the “Country” drop down menu to see if your country is listed.
Enter here:
Now let’s get to cooking some quinoa!
- ½ Cup Uncooked Quinoa
- 1½ Cup Coconut Milk, divided (can sub almond milk, but the quinoa will be less creamy)
- 3 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Sliced Banana (~1/3 Banana per bowl)
- Goji Berries (~2 Tablespoons per bowl)
- Cacao Nibs (~1 Tablespoon per bowl)
- Blueberries (~1/4 Cup per bowl)
- Place quinoa in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Gently toss the quinoa around the pan until the quinoa is slightly toasted - about 30-60 seconds.
- Add one cup of coconut milk to the quinoa and stir. Bring up to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover the pan. Allow the quinoa to simmer for about 10-12 minutes until it is cooked through and has absorbed the coconut milk.
- When the quinoa has fully cooked, add the remaining ½ cup of coconut milk along with the maple syrup and vanilla. Stir until well combined and bring to a low simmer until quinoa is nice and creamy.
- Divide the quinoa among two bowls and top with sliced banana, blueberries, cacao nibs and goji berries. Serve immediately, or store quinoa in a covered container in the fridge without the toppings for up to three days.
Your Turn:
- What are some of your favorite superfoods?
- Are you a fan of having everything out of bowls too?
- What would you order from iHerb?
This post is sponsored by iHerb.com. Thank you for supporting The Balanced Berry. <3
Ummm hellooo did you get a new camera?? These photos are amazing.. (per usual, but something is different!) I NEED $50 to iHerb so bad lolz this is perfect
Thanks so much girl! I did get a new camera – kind of an impulse buy but i am so excited about it!
goji berries and cacao nibs are literally two of my favorite things. I use them in almost everything or on almost everything. So good for you and just jammed packed with antioxidants! I love how creamy and delicious this quinoa bowl sounds!
Thanks Kat! I agree 🙂
I’m ALL about the superfoods and iHerb too! This look so good and these photos are gorgeous (per the usual!)
Thank you so much Erin! And huge congrats on your new ebook! I cant wait to dive in 🙂
I’ve never tried quinoa in any sort of sweet form, so I’m super excited that you posted this recipe! It looks delicious and so hearty! 🙂
Thanks Christine! I think you will love the sweet quinoa 🙂
Yum completly
This looks so good. I have all of those ingredients at home already I am going to pin this recipe for later! I hope I win the giveaway.
Thanks Shamira! Good luck 🙂
This looks amazing! All those healthy berries – yes please! I also agree with your bowl sentiments. Although eating things out of a mug is pretty amazing too 😉
Agreed! Mugs are right up there with bowls 🙂
Oh my, this looks so decatent and yummy, I have to have it, along with some goji berries and cacao nibs – totes my favs.
Thank you! Yes, I love goji and cacao too 🙂
I’m a HUGE fan of quinoa but for some reason I’ve never made it for breakfast. I know I’m seriously missing out because this looks freaking amazing!
Ooh Sarah you would love breakfast quinoa!
Probably hemp hearts and almond meal… and matcha… and cacao nibs 🙂
All of the best things! 🙂
I am horrible when it comes to breakfast. I have never had quinoa, but I am all for trying something new! I am all about the chia and the hemp, but would probably try to some dried fruits and I would love to try the cacao nibs you had in yours!
Definitely give quinoa a try! I am right there with you on the love for chia and hemp – they are both fabulous!
Hemp hearts, cacao nibs, almond meal, matcha & more!
These are my staples too 🙂
I would order elderberry syrup to help me ward off colds plus herbs to help me with my wintertime Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Oooh nice! What kind of herbs do you like?
I love quinoa because it’s suitable for both sweet and savory moods and easy to throw together in minutes.
That’s exactly how I feel about quinoa too 🙂
Beautiful breakfast bowl. And your cutlery is to die for. I think I would probably order the Melatonin. What a great price.
Thank you so much! I got it at Target 🙂 And good call on the Melatonin!
This recipe looks so good and I love that it’s healthy!
Thank you!
Looks amazing. I have yet to try quinoa in the morning, but it’s my favorite dinner grain.
I love it savory as well!
Okay, haven’t thought of quinoa as a breakfast food before, but now I’m thinking I should give this a try 🙂
Les this bowl and these photos are GORG.
I’ve been on the cacao nib train for a while but just started getting into goji berries, def a new favorite!
iHerb $$ would def buy me some MACA powder I’ve been wanting to try but haven’t wanted to spend the $$ on it.
Thank you so much for holding the giveaway!
I’d order various nut butters, hemp hearts and almond meal. You know – pantry essentials 🙂
OMG I totally agree. Everything needs to be in bowls lol. Can’t wait to try this and fingers crossed that I win.
xoxo
January
http://www.thebouncyponytail.com/
I am all about the seedy superfoods – hemp, chia, flax… also love cacao nibs, but I always forget I have them! Guess I should move them to the front of the pantry.
That looks delicious and super easy. Something I will need to try.
Oh my gosh! YUM! This looks amazing! So beautiful! Also, I love that you made quinoa for brekkie! I was just talking to my friends about that last night at a dinner party that had quinoa! The host gave me some quinoa and I’m planning to make it into a brekkie! Great recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Yum! I’ve never made quinoa for breakfast, but I have bought fancy instant oat packets that have quinoa in them and love it! I will definitely be trying this- it looks amazing! I’ve never used iherb before as I typically just use vita cost, but I would totally buy all of the fancy, healthy expensive superfoods that I can’t will myself to spend money on 🙂
YUMMM this looks so good! I love the photos too. I’m a huge health nut and love this superfood combo.
AH this looks delicious. I’ve never had quinoa for breakfast before! I’m always hesitant to mix foods (ex putting different toppings etc), but I really need to start trying different things! I order a few food items from iherb and vitaocst because they’re either not available locally or they’re cheaper online. I love ordering vitamins, protein powder and some makeup (I love everyday minerals) from iherb!
I would love to get cacao nibs and hemp hearts!! I love iHerb!
I would buy some cocoa powder and raw honey for baking.
Gooooorgeous! I’d order some cashew butter and mulberries!!
All of my favorite toppings! Your pictures are just gorgeous. Pinned to save for later!
This bowl sounds delicious and your pictures are gorgeous!! I love the dishware and gold spoons!!! 😀
I love how colorful this bowl is, I’ve been wanting to try quinoa for breakfast.
Yum! I love quinoa in my breakfast bowls. And with coconut milk… mmmmm. I love superfood toppings and am also enjoying superfood add ins for smoothies like maca powder and goji berries!
Such a fun giveaway! Thank you for hosting it. I’d probably take advantage of the credit and stock up on Quest bars! Pesky little expensive things. 😉
Wowza this looks amazing <3 And thanks for hosting this giveaway too! I would order lots of larabars because i go through those like crazy!
Gojis and quinoa, that’s all this girl needs to see 😉 YUM!!
These look delicious! I would order hemp hearts, coconut flour, and cacao nibs!
I simply want to say thank-you for this breakfast bowl recipe! I love it, it’s perfect, easy, and tastes amazing! I have shared it with so many people, including my daughter who lives in Cabo San Lucas, MX – she is opening a small breakfast restaurant next to their Crossfit Gym & was already planning on quinoa bowls. don’t know if she can get all of these specific ingredients, but I’m sure she will love this as well as an inspiration! So a big KUDOS to you and thanks again!
Janice – thank you so much for the lovely and thoughtful comment. I am so glad you loved the recipe, and am so glad it inspired your daughter with her recipes! Does she have a website for her restaurant? Please share a link! I would love to check it out if I ever go to Cabo 🙂