Chunky Monkey Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

Name: Chunky Monkey Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 cup quinoa ((uncooked), rinsed and drained well ); 2 cups water; 1/4 teaspoon sea salt; 3/4 cup non-dairy milk; 1 large ripe banana (, mashed); 3-4 tablespoons peanut butter; 3 tablespoons cocoa powder; 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup

This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Jump to Recipe

Liven up your morning with this Chunky Monkey Quinoa Breakfast Bowl. The combination of creamy peanut butter, sweet bananas, and rich dark chocolate will send your taste buds into overdrive. It's super nutritious, too!

A quinoa breakfast bowl on a linen napkin with a spoon on the side.

Say goodbye to your sad morning oats because quinoa is the new grain in town! (pssst...it's actually a seed) This Quinoa Breakfast Bowl is protein and nutrient-rich to keep you going all day long.

This may seem like a stereotypical vegan hippie recipe, but I promise, it's so much more. Yeah, sure, it's quinoa, but it's made with chocolate, peanut butter, non-dairy milk, and bananas. It's scrumptious!

Now, if you totally hate quinoa, you may want to skip this one and make my Vegan Breakfast Quesadillas instead. They are just as hearty and nutritious.

If you need more breakfast inspiration, you can check out my all-time favorite list of 30 Vegan Breakfast Recipes. You'll be sure to find something there. Eating vegan food doesn't have to be boring.

Ingredients for breakfast bowl on a wood table.

Quinoa Breakfast Bowl Ingredients

The ingredient list is short and simple. Here's what you'll need:

Quinoa - This is the star of the show so you'll need this for sure, but any variety will work. You can also buy a pre-rinsed version to make things even easier.
Non-Dairy Milk - Any unsweetened or sweetened variety will work such as coconut, rice, soy, oat, or almond.
Banana - Choose a well-ripened one for great banana flavor and perfect sweetness.
Peanut Butter - Salted or unsalted will work here and creamy or crunchy.
Cocoa Powder - You can also use cacao powder.
Maple Syrup - You can also use agave or any type of sweetener that you like.
Water -
Sea Salt - This brings all the flavors together beautifully!

Topping Ideas

For toppings, you can go simple or get crazy. You can add a peanut butter swirl, banana coins, chunks of dark chocolate, coconut flakes, cacao nibs, berries, nuts, seeds, granola, non-dairy milk, vegan butter, or jam. Have fun with it!

How to Make a Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

It's so easy to make and it'll be on your table fast! Just add quinoa and a pinch of salt to a medium pot. Cover and bring to a low boil for 15-20 minutes. You want to cook the quinoa until it's fluffy and the liquid is absorbed.

Now, uncover and turn the heat to low and stir in the non-dairy milk, mashed banana, cocoa powder, and maple syrup. Warm for 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust flavor if needed.

Add your favorite toppings and additional milk if desired. Serve immediately.

FAQs

Do I need to rinse the quinoa before cooking?

Rinsing quinoa thoroughly before cooking is an important step. This will remove most of its natural coating, called saponin. This coating is naturally designed by the plant to ward off insects and other predators. It's not toxic to humans, but some studies claim that it can cause digestive issues. Also, the saponin coating gives the quinoa a bitter taste, so you'll be removing that issue as well.

How do I rinse quinoa?

Thoroughly rinse the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer for a good 2 minutes, until the water runs clear then let it drain well.

Is quinoa good for you?

It's a whole grain that is naturally gluten-free, high in fiber, protein-rich, low glycemic, mineral-rich, and full of antioxidant power. So, it's good for your brain, blood, muscles, skin, and overall well-being. Yay for quinoa!

Overhead view of a quinoa breakfast bowl with a spoon inside.

More breakfast recipes to enjoy

Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think by leaving a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and sharing your feedback in the comment section below. It would make my day!

⭐️ Subscribe to the Vegan Huggs Newsletter and receive weekly recipes straight to your inbox! You'll also receive my FREE eCookbook featuring my top 10 recipes.

Recipe

bowl of chocolate breakfast quinoa on a linen napkin.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe

5 from 8 votes

Chunky Monkey Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

Liven up your morning with this Chunky Monkey Quinoa Breakfast Bowl. The combination of creamy peanut butter, sweet bananas, & rich dark chocolate will send your taste buds into overdrive. Oh, yeah, it's super nutritious, too!

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American, Gluten-Free, Vegan

Servings: people

Calories: 292kcal

Author: Melissa Huggins

Ingredients

▢ 1 cup quinoa (uncooked), rinsed and drained well
▢ 2 cups water
▢ ¼ teaspoon sea salt
▢ ¾ cup non-dairy milk
▢ 1 large ripe banana , mashed
▢ 3-4 tablespoons peanut butter
▢ 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
▢ 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup

Recommended Equipment

1 Medium Pot
1 Mesh Strainer (for rinsing quinoa)

Instructions

In a medium pot, add the quinoa and salt to 2 cups of low-boiling water. Put lid on top. Cook until liquid is gone and quinoa is fluffy. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes to cook.
Uncover and turn heat to low. Stir in non-dairy milk, peanut butter, mashed banana, cocoa powder, and maple syrup. Warm for 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust flavor if needed.
Add favorite toppings and additional milk if desired. Serve immediately. Enjoy!