About the Recipe
A warm, creamy, nourishing bowl of goodness that feels like a hug from the inside! This protein-packed quinoa porridge is the perfect way to start your day - it's filling, flavourful, and loaded with nutrients to keep you energised and satisfied all morning long. The gentle warmth of cinnamon, the creaminess of coconut or almond milk, and the sweetness of fresh berries make this feel like a real treat, while your body quietly thanks you for every single bite.
Quinoa is one of the very few plant foods that contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein — pretty impressive for a grain! The berries bring a beautiful hit of antioxidants, the cinnamon has been shown to support healthy blood sugar levels (which is a lovely bonus for sustained energy through the morning), and the healthy fats from the coconut or almond milk help keep hunger at bay. With the protein powder added in, this is a really well-rounded, balanced breakfast that ticks the boxes for both nutrition and satisfaction. Exactly the kind of habit-building meal we love at Habits for Health!
Ingredients
100g quinoa, rinsed well
150ml coconut milk or almond milk
150ml water
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Vanilla protein powder (approx. 2–3 scoops total, enough to give approximately 40g protein - check your brand's scoop/portion size, I used the Nothing Naughty brand)
2 tbsp extra milk or water (to loosen after adding protein powder)
80g fresh raspberries or blueberries (or a mix of both!)
3 tbsp desiccated coconut, toasted
Preparation
1. Toast the coconut: Pop your 3 tablespoons desiccated coconut, toasted into a small dry frying pan over medium heat. Stir it constantly for about 2 to 3 minutes until it turns a lovely golden colour and smells amazing. Keep a close eye on it - coconut goes from golden to burnt very quickly! Set aside once done.
2. Rinse the quinoa: Give your 100 grams quinoa a really good rinse under cold running water using a fine mesh sieve. This step is important - it removes the natural bitter coating (called saponin) and makes your porridge taste so much better. Don't skip this one!
3. Cook the quinoa: Add the rinsed 100 grams quinoa, 150 milliliters coconut milk or almond milk, and 150 milliliters water to a medium saucepan. Stir in the 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Bring everything to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low. Pop a lid on and let it simmer away gently.
4. Simmer until creamy: Continue simmering on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the quinoa has absorbed most of the liquid and the mixture looks thick and creamy - a bit like oatmeal porridge. The little white tails on the quinoa grains will have unfurled, which is how you know it's cooked through. This should take around 12 to 15 minutes total.
5. Add the protein powder: Remove the pan from the heat - this bit is important! You don't want to cook your protein powder as it can make it clumpy and affect the texture. Mix your vanilla protein powder with enough water so that it is thick but not clumpy, then add this a little at a time, mixing well between each addition. If the porridge thickens up too much (which it likely will!), just stir in a splash of 2 tablespoons extra milk or water (to loosen after adding protein powder) until you reach your perfect creamy consistency.
6. Serve and enjoy: Spoon the warm porridge into two bowls. Top with your 80 grams fresh raspberries or blueberries (or a mix of both!) and a generous sprinkle of your 3 tablespoons desiccated coconut, toasted. Serve straight away while it's warm and cosy. If you like a little extra sweetness, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup is lovely too!
TIPS
A few handy tips from me to you!
Protein powder: Every brand is different, so check the label of yours to work out how many scoops will give you around 40g of protein across both servings. Vanilla works beautifully here but feel free to experiment!
Make it ahead: This porridge keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 days. It will thicken up quite a bit when cold, so just add a splash of milk when reheating and stir well.
Berry options: Frozen berries work perfectly here too, just let them thaw slightly before serving or warm them gently in a small saucepan.
Nut-free option: If you are avoiding nuts, coconut milk is your best friend in this recipe. It makes the porridge extra creamy and delicious.