This deliciously creamy quinoa pudding is a healthier alternative to traditional rice pudding. It's high in protein, low in sugar and ready in as little as 20 minutes. Perfect as a healthier dessert or snack any time.
Making quinoa pudding is an easy and delicious way of including quinoa in your diet. It's creamy and rich though made with hardly any fat and a very moderate amount of sugar. It's also very quick and easy to make and uses a handful of pantry ingredients.
Quinoa has long been known as a nutritional powerhouse high in protein, fibre and minerals. It's also very easy to prepare and has endless culinary uses. In this recipe it takes the place of traditional rice and creates a delicious, satisfying, healthier dessert or snack you can enjoy with lots of different toppings.
Quinoa pudding ingredients
This quinoa pudding is made using white quinoa and semi-skimmed (light) milk. I also used vanilla extract and cinnamon for added flavour and sweetened this dessert with maple syrup.
Once cooked stir in a spoonful of mascarpone cheese for a luxuriously creamy finish.
Do I have to presoak the quinoa
No, you don't although you can if you normally do and prefer to. While it's true that quinoa can sometimes taste a little bitter and soaking it for 2 hours can prevent that it is not necessary to soak it for this recipe. All the other ingredients in the recipe contain some amount of sweetness and your quinoa pudding will definitely not taste bitter.
Step-by-step recipe instructions
1.Rinse and drain the quinoa and place in a small pot. Add most of the milk and bring to the boil stirring often.
2. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes stirring frequently.
3. Add the vanilla, maple syrup, cinnamon, pinch of salt and the rest of the milk and continue simmering for 5-6 minutes until the pudding has thickened and the quinoa is fully cooked. If you need to cook it a little longer add a splash of milk or water as the mixture will thicken further.
4. Remove from the heat, stir through the mascarpone and serve hot. Alternatively chill before serving.
Substitutions
- Milk: I used regular milk but oat, almond or hazelnut milk would work well too.
- Mascarpone: If you want to enjoy this dessert vegan use coconut cream or vegan mascarpone.
- Maple syrup: This can be replaced by honey, agave syrup, coconut sugar or any other sweetener. You could also sweeten this pudding with mashed ripe banana (stir it in once the pudding has been cooked).
- Cinnamon: You can omit it or use another spice such as a little ground ginger or nutmeg (just a sprinkle). You could also use a bit of each. Pumpkin spice is also a good alternative.
Top tips and FAQs
- It is important to stir this pudding frequently as it's cooking to prevent it sticking to the pot.
- You can serve this easy quinoa dessert with toasted nuts or seeds, fresh fruit, fruit compote (as I have done) or simply enjoy it on its own. Serve warm or chilled.
- If you want to sweeten this pudding with mashed banana do so after the pudding has been cooked.
- The pudding will thicken as it cools so you may want to add a splash of water or milk to loosen the consistency.
- Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Not suitable for freezing.
You might also like
- Quinoa Raspberry Smoothie Bowl with Prunes
- Overnight Quinoa with Banana (Low Carb)
- Quinoa Chocolate Porridge with Banana
Check out also this collection of 27 everyday healthy cacao recipes.
Keep in touch!
If you make this quinoa pudding recipe I'd love to know how it turned out for you. Did you make any swaps? Let me know in the comments below, thanks!
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Quinoa Pudding Recipe (Low Sugar)
Ingredients
- 110 g quinoa raw, approx. â…” cup
- 260 ml milk regular, almond or oat
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ tbsp maple syrup or to taste
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp mascarpone cheese
- Pinch of fine sea salt
Instructions
- Rinse and drain the quinoa and place in a small pot. Add most of the milk and bring to the boil stirring often. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes stirring frequently.
- Add the vanilla, maple syrup, cinnamon, pinch of salt and the rest of the milk and continue simmering for 5-6 minutes until the pudding has thickened and the quinoa is fully cooked. If you need to cook it a little longer add a splash of milk or water as the mixture will thicken further.
- Remove from the heat, stir through the mascarpone and serve hot. Alternatively chill before serving.
Notes
- It is important to stir this pudding frequently as it's cooking to prevent it sticking to the pot.
- You can serve this easy quinoa dessert with toasted nuts or seeds, fresh fruit, fruit compote (as I have done) or simply enjoy it on its own. Serve warm or chilled.Â
- If you want to sweeten this pudding with mashed banana do so after the pudding has been cooked.
- The pudding will thicken as it cools so you may want to add a splash of water or milk to loosen the consistency.
- Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Not suitable for freezing.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.
**A note about baking: If using a fan-assisted oven refer to your appliance's instructions and adjust the temperature accordingly.
Looks amazing, healthy and delicious. You made it look so simple 🙂
Thank you! It really is very simple:)
This sounds so tasty! It's a lovely inventive way of using quinoa too and definitely something I'd like to try!
Thank you Corina! I hope you like it if you do try it:)
The colour of this pudding is so attractive! Lovely combination of flavours, it looks worth a try!
Thank you! Glad you like the recipe:)
This looks heavenly Monika - I just love that colour! #CookBlogShare
Thank you Mandy! Cherries are great for making food look good, aren't they?
What a delicious and pretty quinoa pudding!
Thank you! It was quite tasty.
I love a traditional rice pudding but wow this looks really interesting. I haven't cooked with Quinoa much (shamed to say) I shall have to change that.
Thank you! I am a huge fan of quinoa and the more I cook with it the more I like it, much to my children's despair:) They'd eat pizza instead anytime!
What a lovely dessert idea! I've often thought about using quinoa in a pudding but never quite got round to it! And I love how you've used frozen cherries - making this easy and economical too!! Eb x
Thank you! I experiment with quinoa all the time, not all my experiments are successful but this one was:)
I love cherries and cant wait til they get back in season (wont be long) Yummy
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Thanks! Feel the same way about cherries:)
I never thought about using quinoa for a dessert, great idea.
Thank you! Glad you like it:)
Love quinoa and cherries! This looks delicious, quinoa is such a versatile ingredient isn't it. Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
Thank you! Yes, I agree about quinoa being so versatile, it's great in so many dishes.