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    Home » Food

    Cranberry Apple Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

    November 28, 2022 by Chrissy Carroll 26 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This cranberry apple quinoa breakfast bowl is a delicious sweet morning treat to help you fuel the day ahead! It’s a great option for women looking to fuel their busy day – or really, anyone that wants to try a new spin on breakfast.

    Note: This recipe was first published in 2016 and has been updated in 2022.

    Overhead shot of a bowl of cranberry apple breakfast quinoa, next to a fork and fresh cranberries.

    Ingredients

    Here’s a photo of everything you’ll need to make this recipe, along with selected ingredient notes:

    Apple, walnuts, brown sugar, oil, cinnamon, quinoa, and cranberries.
    • Cranberries – Fresh or frozen cranberries work for this recipe. You can also use dried cranberries if you prefer. In the later case, you wouldn’t sauté them with the apples, but would instead add them in at the end with the walnuts.
    • Walnuts – These are simply my preference, but you could also use pecans or slivered almonds instead.
    • Brown sugar – Some type of sweetener is a necessity (in my mind) to cut the tartness of the cranberries. If you prefer not adding as much added sugar, you can use a brown sugar substitute (like Lakanto Golden) instead.

    Instructions

    You’ll find the full recipe amounts and instructions at the bottom of this post in the recipe card, but here’s a helpful overview with photos.

    Start by cooking the quinoa according to package directions. I usually make a bigger batch of quinoa so that I can save some for another dinner that same week, but you can also make just enough for this if you prefer.

    Cooked quinoa in a pot.

    Next, heat the oil in a skillet. Add the apples and cook for a few minutes until they start to soften.

    Apples being sautéed in a skillet.

    Add the cranberries, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and cook for another few minutes.

    Cranberries, apples, and brown sugar in a skillet.

    You want it to cook until the cranberries are soft and maybe a few start to burst.

    Now mix that up with the quinoa and walnuts, and breakfast is ready!

    A skillet with a cranberry apple breakfast quinoa.

    Recipe FAQ

    Here are some common questions that may arise as you prepare this recipe:

    How can you add more protein to a cranberry apple breakfast bowl?

    To add more protein, try adding a few spoonfuls of plain or vanilla Greek yogurt on top.

    Is this quinoa bowl just for breakfast?

    Nope! Feel free to enjoy this for dinner as well, either as-is, or by mixing it with some grilled chicken or sausage, and stuffing the mixture into a roasted acorn squash.

    Is there a substitute for quinoa?

    If you don’t have quinoa on hand, feel free to use oatmeal as the base for this recipe.

    A cranberry apple quinoa breakfast bowl, next to brown sugar, cranberries, and walnuts.

    More Healthy Breakfast Recipes

    Looking for more delicious recipes to help fuel your body in a nutritious way? Try one of these other options:

    • Ricotta breakfast bowl
    • Cottage cheese egg muffins
    • Peanut butter and jelly oatmeal
    • Pumpkin oatmeal breakfast cookies
    • Sweet potato, brussels sprouts, and plantain hash
    • Balanced breakfast skillet

    I hope you enjoy this apple cranberry quinoa breakfast bowl! If you get a chance to try it, feel free to leave a comment or recipe rating below.

    A cranberry apple quinoa breakfast bowl with a spoon in it.

    Cranberry Apple Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

    Snacking in Sneakers
    This cranberry apple quinoa breakfast bowl is a delicious sweet morning treat to help you fuel the day ahead!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 servings
    Calories 375 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ⅓ cup dry quinoa (or 1 cup cooked quinoa)
    • 2 tsp olive oil
    • 1 large apple, peeled and chopped (or 2 small apples)
    • 1 cup fresh cranberries
    • 2 tbsp brown sugar (feel free to adjust to taste)
    • ½ tsp cinnamon
    • ¼ cup chopped walnuts

    Instructions
     

    • Cook quinoa according to package directions. Set aside for now.
    • Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add apples and cook for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften a bit.
    • Add the cranberries, brown sugar, and cinnamon to the pan. Cook about 3-4 minutes, until berries are soft and a few begin to burst.
    • Mix the apple cranberry mixture with cooked quinoa and walnuts. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Feel free to add a scoop of plain or vanilla Greek yogurt on top to add more protein.
    • If you’d prefer, a brown sugar substitute (Swerve Brown Sugar Substitute, Lakanto Golden, etc) can be used in place of the brown sugar.
     
    Nutrition analysis (approximate per serving):  375 calories, 16 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 55.5 g carbohydrate, 7 g fiber, 27.5 g sugar, 7 g protein, Vitamin D: 0%, Calcium: 4%, Iron: 12%, Potassium: 8%

    Nutrition

    Calories: 375kcal
    Keyword quinoa breakfast bowl
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Share with me:  Have you ever had quinoa for breakfast? If you tried this recipe, what did you think?

    Feel free to pin this recipe to share with others!

    A bowl filled with a cran-apple quinoa mixture, next to some brown sugar, fresh cranberries, and walnuts, with a text overlay for Pinterest.
    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll is a Registered Dietitian and USAT Level I Triathlon Coach. She specializes in sharing nutrition and fitness tips, as well as recipes, for runners, triathletes, and active women.Chrissy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, a Masters Degree in Public Health, and is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer.
    Chrissy Carroll
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    Comments

    1. Sarah @ BucketListTummy

      February 15, 2016 at 12:46 pm

      I have been telling myself over and over to try quinoa for breakfast, not just dinner, and I just haven’t made it happen yet. This looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        February 19, 2016 at 5:37 pm

        I’m a big fan of breakfast quinoa – either in this way, or in a savory way like with poached eggs & spinach.

        Reply
    2. Rachel @ RachelMcMichael.com

      February 15, 2016 at 3:21 pm

      This looks absolutely wonderful! I have tried quinoa for breakfast, but just with blueberries, and it honestly wasn’t so great. But I can tell that this recipe will be MUCH better! (Why didn’t I think of Cinnamon?!)

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        February 19, 2016 at 5:38 pm

        Now I want to try figuring out someway to make a blueberry pie style quinoa 🙂

        Reply
    3. Diane

      February 16, 2016 at 7:07 pm

      Yes! I do like quinoa for breakfast. I never really thought of it as a breakfast food until I did a post for Nektar Honey Crystals and they sent their crystals with a recipe suggestion. I made it right off the recipe card and it was pretty good. If I remember right, it was cinnamon and honey crystals. Anyhow, your recipe above looks very yummy especially before a long run. I usually have overnight oatmeal or energy bites first thing in the morning but a nice warm apple cranberry quinoa looks delicous! Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        February 19, 2016 at 5:40 pm

        The cinnamon & honey recipe sounds good with quinoa – kind of like a healthier version of a cinnamon bun!

        Reply
    4. Jen @ Pretty Little Grub

      February 17, 2016 at 10:08 am

      I love qunioa for breakfast but I haven’t made it in quite a while. This looks tasty.

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        February 19, 2016 at 5:40 pm

        Thanks Jen!

        Reply
    5. Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home

      February 17, 2016 at 1:04 pm

      I make a cranberry apple pie, so I know that the combination is a winner! I’ll have to try this!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        February 19, 2016 at 5:41 pm

        Ooooo, I’ve never tried making a cranberry apple pie but now I definitely want to.

        Reply
    6. Janelle @ Run With No Regrets

      February 17, 2016 at 2:18 pm

      I have never had quinoa for breakfast, but this looks absolutely delicious! Normally I just have toast and jam as a pre-long run breakfast. This looks like a tastier option!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        February 19, 2016 at 5:41 pm

        I’m generally a bagel kinda girl before a long run, but I like changing it up sometimes with this sweeter option.

        Reply
    7. Susie @ SuzLyfe

      February 17, 2016 at 2:34 pm

      Now that I can eat solids again, and I just ran out of oats, I think I know where I am going next!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        February 19, 2016 at 5:42 pm

        So happy you’re done with the liquid diet and able to enjoy all the other foods again! 🙂

        Reply
    8. courtney @ eat pray run dc

      February 17, 2016 at 2:36 pm

      big fan of quinoa! love this idea 🙂 perfect for breakfast or a snack!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        February 19, 2016 at 5:42 pm

        Thanks Courtney – I hope you give it a try and enjoy it!

        Reply
    9. Kathryn @ Dancing to Running

      February 17, 2016 at 4:58 pm

      I’ve never thought to use quinoa as a breakfast food. What a great idea!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        February 19, 2016 at 5:43 pm

        Thanks Kathryn. You can also do a savory version of breakfast quinoa – like some poached eggs and sauteed spinach over it.

        Reply
    10. Nicole @ Fitful Focus

      February 17, 2016 at 5:45 pm

      This looks so delicious!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        February 19, 2016 at 5:43 pm

        Thanks Nicole 🙂

        Reply
    11. Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner

      February 17, 2016 at 6:14 pm

      I usually eat quinoa in a savory way what a great option looks wonderful. It’s not too late to add this to our meatless Monday linkup

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        February 19, 2016 at 5:43 pm

        I’ll have to check out the linkup Deborah!

        Reply
    12. Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes

      February 17, 2016 at 7:50 pm

      I love quinoa, but I have yet to have it for breakfast! This looks awesome and I’m all about the tartness of the cranberries!! I will definitely try this out!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        February 19, 2016 at 5:44 pm

        I’m a big fan of tart cranberries too. When I used to teach in the elementary school, it was always fun to bring in fresh vs dried cranberries and let the kids taste them to see the difference.

        Reply
    13. Marcia

      February 17, 2016 at 9:51 pm

      This looks amazing! I’ve been wanting to try a quinoa breakfast bowl. This is a great reason to do so.

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        February 19, 2016 at 5:44 pm

        Awesome – I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply

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