Joy the Baker

Breakfast Quinoa with toasted coconut, almonds, and fresh mango

by 130 Comments

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Good morning!

I made us breakfast.

There’s not an ounce of butter in it.  Clearly I’m not feeling myself.

Grains and applesauce and fruit and nuts.  Delicious.  Wholesome.  True.

We’ll eat it and feel utterly contented.  Then we’ll have butter for lunch.  Let’s be real.

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My new friend Natalie came to my house for wine and cobbler.  No biggie.

Among the many side-splitting words that came out of her mouth that evening were “breakfast” and “quinoa”.  Yes.  Perfect.

That Natalie mixes applesauce into her breakfast quinoa is only further evidence that she is rad, and I have excellent taste in new friends.

Don’t you love quinoa?  Quinoa is a grain  a seed full of magic.  It’s a complete protein… and it’s a plant!  Quinoa is full of amino acids and proteins… the sorts of things that our bodies love.  For breakfast with nuts and fruit?  Amazing.  So healthy.

Look at us putting our healthy pants on.  Just supreme.

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Consider this post as more of a suggestion.

Sure, there’s a recipe to follow, but you can load this quinoa up with any fruit, nut, or milk you like.

It’s your breakfast… I certainly don’t mean to impose.

Breakfast Quinoa with toasted coconut, almonds and fresh mango

Thanks, Natalie.  You’re a gemstone.

Makes enough for 2 breakfasts

Print this Recipe!

1 cup red or yellow quinoa (or a mix!)

2 cups water

pinch of salt

2 tablespoons applesauce

2 tablespoons shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)

4 tablespoons slivered almonds

1/2 to 1 cup fresh mango chunks

milk to taste

brown sugar to taste

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread coconut in a single layer across the sheet.  Toast the coconut.  Keep a close eye on the coconut, it could burn quickly.  Coconut will be browned and fragrant after about 6 minutes.  Remove from the oven and place in a small bowl.  Place almonds on the baking sheet.  Toast almonds for about 6 to 10 minutes, until browned and fragrant.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool in a small bowl.

Rinse dry quinoa.  Place quinoa, salt, and water in a medium pot.  Bring to a boil over medium heat.   Simmer the quinoa until all of the water is absorbed.  Stir occasionally.  Turn off the flame and allow quinoa to cool slightly.

In a bowl, combine a heaping spoonful of quinoa, applesauce,  a sprinkling of almonds and coconut, a generous helping of fresh mango, a sprinkling of sugar and a splash of milk.  Enjoy.  It’s breakfast.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Alyssa

    LOVE this recipe. Toasted coconut is literally one of my favorite things on earth – the smell is intoxicating – and having it with some quinoa for breakfast would be amazing! Can’t wait to try this, thanks!

    Reply

  3. Nicole

    I stumbled onto your website yesterday after searching for quinoa recipes and am so excited to try the “breakfast” recipe above for dinner tonight! We are a preservative free household and quinoa is a new ingredient on our pantry shelf that always felt so intimidating, but your recipe feels so simple and cookable! Thanks for making a new food seem less scary :)

    Reply

  4. Tia

    This looks sooooooo delicious and stunning can’t wait to try it out :D Cheeers Joy i’ve really rediscovered my love for baking since being recommended this site :D

    Reply

  5. Michelle

    Okay, Wow. I know Im a little slow on the uptake, but I bought some quinoa back in April after reading your post. I have never tried it before, so was a little iffy.
    However, today I braved it and combined it with vanilla hazelnut yoghurt, peaches, brown sugar and coconut – delish!! I think I shall make it more often :)

    Reply

  7. Krysta N.

    I made this the other day and it was super tasty! I have NEVER liked hot cereals – partly because of the mushy texture, but I decided to give this a go. The quinoa cooked up perfectly with that little bit of “pop” in every grain. I only made a 1/2 cup (with 1 cup water) since my hubby was already at work and I wasn’t sure I’d like it. It made enough for at least 3-4 servings (about 1/3-1/2 cup) of this for me – so cooking a full cup would easily make a week’s worth of breakfasts, especially if you eat smaller servings like I tend to. I changed it up by using vanilla coconut milk (can’t have cow’s milk), chopped pecans, diced fresh apple, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a drizzle of agave nectar. I was really surprised how much I enjoyed it! And what’s more, it held me over for 3 solid hours at work and I usually need to eat every 2 hours. I’m going to try it without the cinnamon and with fresh raspberries today. :D

    Reply

  8. Gwenevere

    I’m new to quinoa and haven’t tried it yet. Due to the lack of gluten, everyone keeps telling me I’ve got to try it. I haven’t been able to find it in the stores…i figured out why when I was verbally talking to a friend about it and she kept looking at me like I was a crazy person. “What is Kwi-NO-uh?” she finally asked. I described the grain and she laughed, “Kin-O-ah?”

    I haven’t been able to find it because I haven’t been able to pronounce it! Now I can’t read or hear the word without laughing.

    Reply

    • elisha

      Gwen…have you found “KEEN-wa” yet? =) If you have any sort of health food store around (Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, etc.), they’ll have it (and they’ll know what it is!). If you live in a place like I do that doesn’t have those magical stores, check out the international section of your local grocery store, find healthy stores when you go out of town and stock up, or, you can always order online (AlterEco has many varieties!) enjoy!

      Reply

  9. SusanK

    I make quinoa for bfast lots – with apple, almonds, maple syrup. In fact, I’m gonna have that tomorrow. I like mango lots, but it just doesn’t sound that great with hot cereal. Sorry, just not a fan of this one!

    Reply

  10. Matthew

    Okay…so for real? I was NOT expecting this deliciousness to taste so, well, delicious. Unreal. And the possibilities are nearly endless as far as substitutions and additions go.

    My new favorite breakfast food that doesn’t include bacon. Or butter. Or other things I’d feel guilty about eating for the rest of the day.

    Reply

    • Tiffany

      I’m super excited to try this recipe too. Although..I wouldn’t feel bad about eating bacon. Or butter. In fact, I’d feel really good about eating them. As long as it’s the right kind of bacon. And butter. ;)

      Tiff

      Reply

  11. Deese

    I’m totally going to make this for breakfast in the morning. I just have to go and buy applesauce when I get off work, amazingly I have everything else already! I feel this and versions like it will be a staple breakfast and snack in my new healthier eating habits. Yay for yummy tasting good for you food! :)

    Reply

  12. Angelique

    this looks aammaaazzziinggg! completely what ive been looking for to eat!!
    Thanks so much Joy and Natalie! :D

    Reply

  15. Ammie

    I love quinoa!! Have you ever been to Bloom in LA? They make an awesome chicken tandoori with quionoa & lentils that is to die for!!! Their secret is that they cook the quinoa (& lentils too) with coconut milk. I’m guessing that would be a super yummy addition to this recipe. Thanks for the incredible recipe. I can’t wait to try it.

    Reply

  17. Katie

    This looks soooo good! I’m going to make it for breakfast tomorrow (or maybe it’s breakfast for dinner night!). By the way, quinoa is a pseudocereal (apparently not a true grain) and is closely related to beets (weird). Wikipedia says so, anyway: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinoa

    Reply

    • Katie

      Forgot to mention, sometimes quinoa tastes bitter if you don’t soak it first for 30 minutes. It’s got a coating on it (that keeps birds from eating it before harvest) that is poisonous if eaten in large quantities.

      Reply

  20. Valerie

    Oh. Oh goodness. It just so happens that I have all of these items as of two days ago. So I have no excuse not to make this.

    Reply

  21. Kat

    I felt so inspired to make this! It was delicious, especially the mango chunks and little bits of brown sugar nestled in those quinoa pellets. Exactly what I needed this morning, but one warning: it’s a little too light and sweet to be a satisfying dinner. I’ll definitely be experimenting with other fruits and nuts in the future.

    Thanks Joy! Now back to our regular butter injections, I hope…

    Reply

  23. mariann

    i LOVE quinoa with a splash of heavy cream and dark chocolate chips melted in it! it’s my late night (kinda) naughty snack. =)

    Reply

  27. Amanda

    I never make it to the comments section when there is still a reasonable number.

    Still, I would be remiss not to share today’s breakfast. Quinoa patties. Seriously. They are so similar to tater tots in texture that I think I need to form them into smaller “tots” and throw them in the oven. I’d share the recipe, but it’s not mine, it’s Heidi Swanson’s from her newest book, Super Natural Every Day.

    I’ve found a new obsession. And it’s full of protein! :)

    Reply

  28. Lizy B

    So…I don’t have a great relationship with my healthy pants…they don’t fit really well. But, I love coconut, and almonds, and toasted even! I’m absolutely tempted to try the healthy pants on again….I’ll let you know how it goes.

    Reply

  32. Courtney

    I’ve never had quinoa. I usually burn things rather than toast them (for example, I overbrowned my snack pancake in the TOASTER this evening – who does that?). But this sounds like a great, fresher alternative to oatmeal!! Summer breakfast favorite maybe?!

    Reply

  36. Cookie and Kate

    Thank you for inspiring tomorrow’s breakfast, Joy! I’ve been looking for a recipe worthy of the fresh mango on my kitchen counter, and I just happen to have all the other ingredients! Serendipity!

    Reply

  37. Carly

    I make quinoa porridge with cinnamon, brown sugar, apples and cinnamon. I love it but my kids won’t touch it (even though they eat oatmeal every day). This recipe looks amazing!

    Reply

  40. Christine

    Yum! I loove finding gorgeous healthy breakfast recipes like this. I’ve seen a similar sweet quinoa recipe elsewhere and I’m trying to pluck up the courage to make it.. I think you may have finally convinced me!

    Reply

  42. Amanda

    Yumalicious! I never would have thought to have quinoa for breakfast, even though I adore it for lunch and dinner. Can’t wait to give it a try. And Joy – you have such a lovely collection of dishes – where do you find these beauties? I certainly need to revamp my dish collection…

    Reply

  43. Robin (noteverstill)

    I don’t have a ton of experience with quinoa, but (maybe my water tastes funny but) I don’t really like it when I boil it in water, so I’ve always made it in a chicken broth. Do you think if I made it like this for breakfast I could use apple juice as the boiling liquid? That’s what I do for oatmeal…

    Reply

  44. The Fluffy Chocolatier

    I have just discovered quinoa and am so excited to try this! Oatmeal every day for breakfast is getting boring…this is going to be awesome!

    Reply

  46. ellen

    i never had quinoa before.. is it like rice or is it like oatmeal? or neither?!

    i’m certainly lost- o_O!

    but anyways i do have mango at least- it is really sour because i got the real mango not the precut ones so that i could feel fancy and somewhat exotic today! i’m sure it’ll taste wonderful thou joy, thnk u~

    Reply

  49. Kocinera

    This is cooler than cool. If I made quinoa for breakfast, I’m pretty sure that the rest of my day would consist of running around, telling other people that I just ate quinoa for breakfast. It’s just never occurred to me that this stuff could work for brekkie. Sounds delish!

    Reply

  50. Allison

    Um, yes please? This looks decadent even though I know it would be pretty good for me! Love the combination of coconut and mango. Like being in a tropical paradise for breakfast. Yum.

    Reply

  52. Sarah from Philly

    Yes and please to this! Reminds me of the quinoa porridge at my favorite brunch spot, which has Agave nectar, cinnamon, cardamom, golden raisins, fresh berries, cream, and fresh berry compote (<– did I just cut and paste that from their website menu? Maybe.)

    Not to get all creeptown on you, but if you ever journey to the East Coast, some ladyfriends and I have a hybrid potluck/picnic society of which you should probably become an honorary member. Just sayin.

    Reply

  55. Lori

    Oh this sounds yummy! I keep hearing about quinoa, so I bought it, but haven’t tried it. I can’t wait to try this recipe.

    Reply

  57. Karli

    this is also great if you substitute 1 cup of apple juice for 1 cup of the water, then add some cinnamon and nutmeg and dried cranberries. i keep apple juice concentrate in the freezer and just throw a few tablespoons in when i make breakfast quinoa. sooooo warm and delicious and healthy!

    Reply

  58. Kelly

    I love quinoa in salads but for some reason I don’t think about it for breakfast (though I did make a fantastic quinoa muffin once). Yum!

    Reply

  62. AngelHeadedHipster

    I eat quinoa all the time (I’m literally eating it right now, with chickpeas and tomatoes, for lunch), but have never made it for breakfast, though I’ve been dying to try it. I think this post has officially inspired me to give it a go!

    Reply

  63. Stephanie

    I might never have tried polenta for breakfast if it weren’t for you (and now we have it every week), so if you say quinoa for breakfast is delish… I won’t doubt it a bit! And you can bet I’ll be trying this soon!

    Reply

  65. sheila @ Elements

    I love having quinoa for breakfast, but I’ve never had it quite like this before. It looks so delicious, Joy! I’d make some right now if I had a fresh mango. Pity I don’t. : ( But that just means I have something to look forward to. :) Thanks so much for sharing your breakfast with us. :)

    Reply

  66. Sandra

    I’ve been so scared of quinoa, but your breakfast looks amazing. I think I might have to go out and buy some and make a similar breakfast, asap!

    Reply

  67. maria

    I have just discovered you blog and I love it! I am looking forward to going over old posts and am anticipating new ones! Love your colour sense and style. Everything is just so inviting and yummy looking.

    Reply

  69. Katie@Cozydelicious

    I have never done quinoa for breakfast but it sounds fantastic! I am a mango nut, so the flavor combo sounds fantastic to me! The apple sauce is, indeed, true genius, but I bet that you coul add a chopped up apple to the cooking quinoa instead, if you have apples but no apple sauce. This is how i make oatmeal, and it is wonderful.

    Reply

  70. Joey

    Thanks for this post. We are going to try to grow quinoa in our garden this year. It cooks easily in our solar ovens-which means it is more like brunch at our place :).

    Reply

  77. Laura @ SweetSavoryPlanet

    Quinoa for breakfast is perfect. I have been cooking whole grains for breakfast for years now and quinoa is the newest member of that routine. It’s nuttiness with fruit is delicious. I might skip the mango though, but that is just me!

    Reply

  80. Judy

    I’ve been wanting to try quinoa for such a long time now, so thanks for the inspiration! And I LOOOOOVE toasted coconut. On anything. And everything.

    Reply

  82. Sincerely Jill

    Thank the Lord! I attempted to make breakfast quinoa once before, and it was a total disaster. I knew it could be done! Thanks for the recipe. I’ll definitely have to give it a go.

    Reply

  86. Dawn

    Thanks for mixing in healthy recipes! I might have to try this today with frozen mango, since that is what I have.

    Joy- Is there any chance you will be making hot cross buns soon? I know I can find a recipe somewhere, but it would be so much more fun to see your version. :-)

    Reply

  87. Caroline

    What a great suggestion! I always think of quinoa as savory lunch/dinner, but I see no reason at all why it wouldn’t make an amazing breakfast. Yum!

    Reply

  89. Suzie

    Normally I eat oatmeal or an omelette for breakfast. Today I had 1.5 donuts leftover from a weekend splurge. All this talk of healthy quinoa is making feel like a bad girl and I can feel the sugar coursing through my veins. Well…there’s always tomorrow.

    Reply

  90. cory

    i love quinoa for breakfast! i tend to treat it like oatmeal with the toppings – some agave, bananas, and cinnamon stirred in with just a splash of milk to tie it all together is divine.

    i have always thought about tossing in some pomegranate seeds and blueberries, and skipping the cinnamon & going with light agave and maybe some fresh mint would be awesome too. thoughts?

    now i am drooling! im at my desk with a dented banana and lukewarm tea and no access to delish breakfast quinoa. tragic!

    Reply

  91. Michelle

    Quinoa is a perfect way to start the day. Sure brilliance ladies! This dishy-dish is all tropical and likes the idea of swim suits and shorts…. This is good.

    Reply

  92. Virginia

    Joy, do you have any advice on how to slice a mango so it doesn’t turn into a mess? I bought one the other day, tried to cut it open, and was thwarted by the enormous pit and the squashiness of the fruit. I seriously felt like a monkey trying to figure out how to use tools.

    Reply

  96. Julia M

    Quinoa is great for breakfast. I’ve made mine with almond milk instead of water and it gives the quinoa a maple flavor! Yummy

    Reply

  97. Rivki Locker (Ordinary Blogger)

    This looks great, despite the lack of butter. I’m very boring in my breakfast choices (I have pretty much the same thing every day) and very boring in my choices of grains (pretty much just oats, wheat, rice and barley). I have got to try quinoa though. It really does look wonderful. Even without butter! :)

    Reply

  98. Alexia @ Dimple Snatcher

    THIS must be a sign! Because a few minutes ago–not even 7 AM yet–I was lying in my bed listening to country music and trying to figure out how weird it would be if I brought my Computer teacher a mango. (I bring people mangoes when I like them.) I’m totally taking this as a sign! Weeeeee!

    Reply

  99. Emily

    Oh buddy, I love me some quinoa. Quinoa and I have become besties lately, especially since I’m training for my first marathon. It’s one of the few foods that prevents that pass-y out-y feeling for me during long runs when your body is screaming “WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME, YOU CRAZY IDIOT?!” Anywaaay, I also shake it up sometimes with bulghur or a combo of the two. Oh, now that’s just crazy talk.

    Reply

  100. Sally - My Custard Pie

    Love the stuff – but hadn’t thought about it for breakfast. With the hot weather setting in here (bye bye porridge) and the alphonso mango season nearly upon us, this is in poll position for becoming my breakfast of choice for the next few months. Thanks for the inspiration Joy.

    Reply

  102. shlomzi

    Oooh! I’m definitely making it this week. It is so….. different and revolutionary compared to Tiramisu or chocolate-coffee-coconut cake for breakfast. must try.

    Do you think uncooked quinoa will go well in homemade granola?

    Reply

  107. Kayla @ Fitter Than Choc

    Quinoa oh Quinoa! It’s my go-to breakfast besides oatmeal. The addition of mango and coconut makes it so tropical and summery – I love it! I think I will be trying it sometime next week, after my new shipment of quinoa arrives.

    Reply

  109. Three-Cookies

    Great start to the day! You could add flax seeds for omega-3, but that would become too healthy:) On the other hand I read that eating fatty food (like the big English breakfast) in the morning is good for you – it increases metabolism and reduces chances of cravings later in the day.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  3. […] Later on, I met up with my friend Emily, whom I dearly love and admire. While still being distinctly different people, we have a lot of interests in common…two of them being food and pretty things. We both follow Joy the Baker, a wonderful blogger, who is so entertaining with her writing and creative adaptations on recipes. Knowing we wanted to try a new recipe from her, we settled on the seemingly fancy, but actually quite simple, quinoa recipe. It was finally time to bust out that quinoa from Emily’s pantry! Thus we set out with our slight adaptation of her Breakfast Quinoa with Toasted Coconut, Almonds, and Fresh Mango. […]

    Reply

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