This naturally gluten free chocolate quinoa porridge is a delicious alternative to traditional oatmeal. It is satisfying yet light, full of goodness and low in sugar.
Quinoa porridge with cocoa and banana is very simple and quick to make. It can be sweetened naturally with just the banana and can be enjoyed either vegetarian or vegan. High in protein and fibre it makes a delicious breakfast idea.
How to make chocolate quinoa porridge: step-by-step
1.In a saucepan combine the quinoa with the milk, add a pinch of salt, cover and bring to the boil (take care not to let the milk spill out of the pot). Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 12 minutes.
2. Add the cocoa and maple syrup (if using) and stir thoroughly. Cover and simmer for about 3 more minutes stirring once or twice.
3. Remove from the heat, stir in the mashed banana, add a splash of milk if needed and serve.
If you like this recipe you might also like chai porridge with passion fruit.
How to prepare the banana for quinoa breakfast porridge
You can use different ways of preparing the banana. The quickest is to mash it, as I have done in this recipe. But you can also bake it, which will release more sweetness and flavour from the banana. See my whole wheat banana bread recipe for instructions on how to bake bananas.
You could also chop the banana and fry in a little butter until golden and then add into the porridge (without mashing it).
However you choose to prepare it add the banana into the quinoa porridge after you’ve cooked it (so the mixture doesn’t stick to the pot too much).
Top tips for making chocolate quinoa porridge
- Cooking the quinoa: When cooking the quinoa with milk try not to let it boil too rapidly as the milk will rise to the top and might spill out of the pot. As soon as it starts bubbling up and rising turn the heat right down to a simmer.
- Make it vegan: Use a non-dairy milk alternative such as almond or hazelnut milk.
- How much sugar: If you prefer not to use any maple syrup add a little more mashed banana (the more ripe the banana the sweeter it is).
- Storing and reheating: Refrigerate, covered, for up to 3 days. The porridge will thicken as it stands so add a splash of milk before reheating it, whether in the microwave or on top of the stove.
- Serving suggestions: Add fruit, such as berries, cherries or slices of banana (in addition to the mashed banana inside the porridge). You could also scatter toasted seeds and/or nuts over the top. Drizzle with more maple syrup if you like. A dollop of yogurt or Skyr will add a bit of tangy flavour and create a creamier consistency.
- Not suitable for freezing.
More quinoa breakfast recipes
- Overnight Quinoa with Banana
- Breakfast Yogurt Parfait (Quinoa, Mango & Ginger)
- Spinach and Eggs Quinoa Breakfast Casserole and more…
Check out also this collection of 27 everyday healthy cacao recipes!
You may also like these 18 healthy, easy vegetable breakfast recipes.
Keep in touch
If you make this chocolate quinoa porridge recipe I'd love to know how it turned out for you. Let me know in the comments below, thanks:)
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Quinoa Chocolate Porridge with Banana
Ingredients
- 80 g quinoa raw, rinsed
- 240 ml milk, any adjust the amount to suit your preference
- 1 tbsp cocoa/cacao powder
- 1 tbsp maple syrup optional, see Notes below
- 1 large or 2 small bananas mashed
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a saucepan combine the quinoa with the milk and a pinch of salt, cover and bring to the boil. Milk rises as it heats up so make sure it doesn’t spill out of the pot. Lower the heat and simmer gently, covered for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the cocoa and maple syrup (if using), stir thoroughly, cover and continue cooking gently for 3 more minutes stirring occasionally.
- Remove from the heat, stir in the mashed banana and serve. Add a splash of milk if the porridge is too thick.
Notes
- Cooking the quinoa: When cooking the quinoa with milk try not to let it boil too rapidly as the milk will rise to the top and might spill out of the pot. As soon as it starts bubbling up and rising turn the heat right down to a simmer.
- Make it vegan: Use a non-dairy milk alternative such as almond or hazelnut milk.
- How much sugar: If you prefer not to use any maple syrup add a little more mashed banana (the more ripe the banana the sweeter it is).
- Storing and reheating: Refrigerate, covered, for up to 3 days. The porridge will thicken as it stands so add a splash of milk before reheating it, whether in the microwave or on top of the stove.
- Serving suggestions: Add fruit, such as berries, cherries or slices of banana (in addition to the mashed banana inside the porridge). You could also scatter toasted seeds and/or nuts over the top. Drizzle with more maple syrup if you like. A dollop of yogurt or Skyr will add a bit of tangy flavour and create a creamier consistency.
- Not suitable for freezing.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.
Hi, I am Monika, welcome to Everyday Healthy Recipes! This blog is all about creatively simple recipes with a healthy twist, old classics with a modern take, and an occasional Polish dish thrown into the mix - all easy to make, healthy and delicious, perfect for everyday cooking. 
Looks great monika!!
Thanks DeeDee, turned out much better than I expected!
Looks like the perfect breakfast! Yum!
It was pretty delicious, thanks!
Wow - this looks AMAZING! And I am pretty sure my kids would love this too 😀 Thanks for linking up to #CookBlogShare. Eb x
Thank you Eb, my own kids really liked it too (a bit surprised by that to be honest, after all it's 'healthy' food:)
thank you for accepting my request, im trying to learn how to eat more healthier foods so im searching out new and healthy recipes.