If you follow me on Snapchat, you probably know about my love for oatmeal. I eat it almost every single day, especially during the winter months. Today, however, I wanted to do something different and that's why I'm sharing with you this delicious Gingerbread Quinoa Porridge. It's so good, you guys! And it's such a nice change from the oats. With the coconut milk, toasted coconut, juicy figs, and chewy dates, this porridge is perfect for a crisp winter morning.
If you're not feeling this quinoa porridge, I have eleven regular oatmeal recipes on the blog (one of which is savory) as well as three blended buckwheat porridge recipes which if you haven't tried out, you're seriously missing out (one, two, three)!
Christmas is such a magical time and I've always loved everything about it. The snow, the festive songs, all the decorations, the baking, the movies, getting together with the family, the presents, and as a kid, I was happy I had a couple weeks off. When I was little I always loved making gingerbread cookies of all shapes and sized and decorating them however I wanted. Time has passed and my diet changed so this year, I'm hoping to make some gluten-free, vegan, healthy Christmas cookies (either gingerbread or anything else we used to make when I was a kid). If they're good, I might just post the recipe on here! ;) Meanwhile, you can enjoy this amazing gingerbread quinoa porridge that literally tastes like Christmas in a bowl. It's the perfect Christmas Day breakfast if you ask me.
Fun fact: here in the Czech Republic, gingerbread cookies don't actually have any ginger in them. Crazy, right? I did add ginger to this porridge, though, because most of you aren't from the Czech Rep. and if I didn't, it'd be misleading. There are lots of variation of the "gingerbread" spice but in this recipe, I used cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, anise, coriander seeds, ginger, and vanilla powder. It's so good!!
Can we take a moment to appreciate the cute little sleigh in these pictures??! I don't even remember where I got it. It's actually a Christmas tree ornament but it's so cute, I just have to have it in the background of my Christmas recipes.
Anyway, I hope you love this recipe, it really is one of my faves<3 If you end up making it, don't forget to let me know how it was, I'd love to know! :)
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📖 Recipe
Gingerbread Quinoa Porridge with Toasted Coconut
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Total Time: 22 mins
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: cooking
- Cuisine: american
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Delicious gingerbread porridge. Perfect for a cold winter morning.
Ingredients
- ½ cup raw coconut flakes
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 ½ cup almond or coconut milk (if you're doing canned coconut milk, do 1 cup milk, 1 ½ cup water)*
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp ground cardamom
- ½ tsp ground coriander seeds
- ¼-½ teaspoon ground anise
- ⅛ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp vanilla powder (or sub extract, optional)
- 2 tbsp raw cacao powder (optional)
- 1-2 tablespoon maple syrup (or honey if not vegan)
- a small handful dates, pitted and chopped (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180C (356F).
- Spread the coconut flakes on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for a few minutes (5-12) until they start to brown. Be sure not to burn them.
- Wash and drain the quinoa and cook it in the milk for about 10-15 until almost all the liquid is absorbed. Near the end of cooking add the lemon juice and lemon zest.
- Take off heat and add all the spices, cacao, and maple syrup. Add more of anything if you wish.
- Enjoy immediately with the toasted coconut, chopped dates, fresh or dried figs, and a drizzle of coconut milk.
Notes
You can even use leftover quinoa for this and just heat it up, add coconut milk to make it creamy and serve!
The nutritional information is just an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information is not guaranteed.
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Harmony, Momma To Go says
I NEeed to check out the other oatmeal posts- not sure this one is my thing. But I love your photos I can't believe there is a place where gingerbread doesn't haven have ginger that is too funny! Happy holidays!
thehealthfulideas says
I know, right?! I guess it's just because the cookies don't have a translation and gingerbread is similar so someone was like hey, let's call these gingerbread cookies too! lol
And thank you, you too!<3
candy says
Great for breakfast. We are one of those families who like breakfast for dinner. This would go over big and be warming and filling.
thehealthfulideas says
we're totally the same! it's so delicious :)
Amanda @ Anchored to Sunshine says
This looks delicious! Almost too good to eat :) You take amazing photos
thehealthfulideas says
Thank you so much Amanda! <3
Mamaguru says
What a lovely recipe! I love gingerbread, and it's so nice that this is healthy!
thehealthfulideas says
Thank you! Right? Me too! :)
Katherine says
This looks delicious! I've been stuck in a little breakfast rut this winter (oats are just sooo good) but this is the perfect way to change it up
thehealthfulideas says
I'm guilty of exactly the same thing but oatmeal is just too good to give up during the winter months, right? This quinoa is so tasty, you have to try it! :)
Kathryn says
Love the idea of using quinoa instead of oats, perfect winter breakfast, thanks for sharing : )
Kathryn | nimblenote.blogspot.com
thehealthfulideas says
Thanks, Kathryn! I've been loving having this for breakfast lately<3
Molly says
I may be a little late on the festive wagon but I've been stuck in a total porridge rut this winter and this looks like the perfect recipe to switch things up. PS. Glad I discovered your blog (thanks foodgawker)- your recipes and photography are gorgeous! :)
thehealthfulideas says
To be honest, I usually make festive meals in January too because why not! ;) And thank you so much!<3
Alyssa says
Would you have a recommendation for a grain other than quinoa (I've never gotten used to it) and oatmeal (the old standby)? Thanks for the recipe! It looks great, and yes, the sleigh is adorable!
thehealthfulideas says
I'd recommend amaranth! :) It takes longer to cook than rolled oats but it's a great grain when you want to switch things up. You can cook it the day before and just heat it up with milk and spices in the morning. Another great alternative would be farro. They don't sell it where I live so I haven't been able to try it but I'm sure it'd also be great.
Or if you normally use rolled oats, try steel cut oats, I find that they have a different texture than regular oats, they're more hearty and chewy, which I like. Soak them overnight to reduce the cooking time :)
Emily says
What is the nutrition information for this?
Veronika | thehealthfulideas says
I've updated the recipe to include the nutiriton information. :) Please keep in mind it is only an estimate.