Looking for a high protein breakfast to start your day off right but can't (or don't) eat eggs, dairy or gluten? Here's the recipe you've been waiting for! This Killer Grain & Seed Cereal is super simple and high in protein and nutrients. Make a big batch to store in the cupboard for several months. Just add boiling water, top with some delicious tid-bits, and breakfast is served! It's chalk-full of protein by way of hemp hearts, chia seeds, buckwheat and toasted quinoa.
This cereal is so easy to make and you can make enough to last you several months. The "secret" ingredient is toasted quinoa! I'm seriously in love. I put it on everything!
How to make crispy quinoa
First thing's first...you have to rinse your quinoa. Really well. Don't ignore this step or you could have bitter, soapy tasting quinoa. The grains have a natural coating called Saponin that gives the unpleasant taste so this needs to go! If you find pre-rinsed quinoa great! But I would still give it at least a quick rinse just to be sure. Put the quinoa into a fine sieve over a larger bowl. Let cold water run over it for at least 2 minutes, agitating with your hand every so often.
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil and add rinsed quinoa. Turn heat down to a simmer and let cook for 10 minutes. Drain and put back in the pot. Stir in the oil and salt and spread evenly on a baking sheet.
Broil on high, in the top third of oven, for 8-10 minutes, stirring half way through, or until it's popping and getting tanned and crispy. This could take less or more time depending on the strength of your broiler. Keep a very close eye on it as you broil, especially the second half. It can start to burn quickly once it starts browning. Quinoa should be dried out completely and crispy. Turn the broiler down to low to finish it off if necessary and just to be sure, you can turn off your oven when it's done and let the quinoa cool in the oven.
Make some extra to toss on salads or roasted vegetables, in soups etc. It adds an amazing crunch to anything and everything...even popcorn or ice cream!
Fun facts about quinoa
- Quinoa is a complete protein which means it contains all 9 essential amino acids which is hard to come by in one single plant food. Quinoa is also high in fiber, B vitamins, iron, magnesium and many other vitamins and minerals.
- Did you know that quinoa isn't actually a grain? It's the seed of a plant that is related to the spinach, beet and chard family.
- Since at least 3000 BC quinoa has been a staple in the diet of the Andean people of South America. The Incas called quinoa "the mother grain" and considered it a sacred food. For them it was as valuable as gold.
- There are over 100 varieties. The most common being white, red and black. The red and black hold their shape a bit better and the black tends to have a sweeter, nuttier taste. The nutritional value is the same for all types.
How to make killer grain & seed cereal
The rest is simple. Take equal parts toasted quinoa, chia seeds, hemp hearts/seeds, mix them together and store in a jar or container and store it in the fridge. Boom!
Let's make a breakfast bowl with this killer cereal!
2 tbsp will keep you satisfied for hours. Especially with other toppings added. This doesn't seem like a lot but it is very filling. Of course you can have as much or as little as you like. Play around with it. Add boiling water to the mix, about 1/4 cup for 2 tbsp. Add more or less depending on how thick or thin you like it. Give it a little stir and let stand for 3-5 mins. I put a plate on top of the bowl to keep it warm but it's delicious at room temperature as well.
I topped this bowl with mango, blueberries, coconut milk (full fat from a can), toasted, sliced almonds, and extra toasted quinoa.
Toppings for your killer grain & seed cereal
- any kind of fruit
- toasted nuts
- pumpkin or sunflower seeds
- extra toasted quinoa
- extra hemp hearts
- coconut, almond, soy milk...or any milk or cream you like
- toasted coconut
- maple syrup or honey
- yogurt
- nut butter
Be sure to let me know in the comments what combinations of toppings you try!
Other recipes you might like to try
Killer Grain & Seed Cereal
Ingredients
Toasted Quinoa
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed well and drained
- 4 cups water
- 1 tbsp olive, avocado, coconut or grapeseed oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
Killer Grain & Seed Cereal
- 1 cup toasted quinoa
- 1 cup chia seeds
- 1 cup buckwheat, whole kernels or groats
- 1 cup hemp hearts/seeds
Instructions
For the toasted quinoa
- Rinse quinoa in a mesh sieve over cold running water for about 2 minutes. Let drain.
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil and add quinoa. Turn down to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Drain.
- Turn the oven broiler to high and position a rack in top third of oven.
- Put quinoa back in the pot and mix in olive oil and salt. Spread evenly on a baking sheet.
- Broil for 8-10 minutes (times may vary depending on your oven). Watch it carefully and stir half way through. You will hear it start to pop and it will start to toast. Keep a very close eye in the last half of broiling. There should be no moisture left so if necessary lower the oven rack and toast a little longer until it is dry and crispy. For extra insurance, turn off the oven and let the quinoa cool down in the oven.
- When done let cool completely on the tray. It must be cooled completely before mixing with the other ingredients.
- Store any extra toasted quinoa in an airtight container in the fridge and use to top breakfast cereals, yogurt, salads, grilled vegetables etc.
Killer Grain & Seed Cereal
- Mix together all 4 ingredients and keep in an airtight container in the fridge.
- To make cereal, add 1/4 cup of boiling water to 2 tbsp cereal mix (more or less for thinner or thicker texture). Let stand, covered with a plate, for 3-5 mins or until desired softness is reached. Serve topped with any combination of the suggested toppings above or create your own!
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month.
Notes
- Cereal can be stored in the fridge for 1 month.
- Extra toasted quinoa is delicious on top of yogurt, other cereals, salads, grilled vegetables, popcorn etc. You will soon be addicted!
I love the toasted quinoa on my salads and to bump up the protein in just about anything I can think of. Personally, I’m not a fan of the chia seeds in the cereal. No harm done, I will just leave the slimy chia seeds out next time I make the cereal. 😂 UNLESS, you have a trick for less slimy chia seeds!😂🥰
You can definitely leave them out if you don't care for them. 👌😃
Love this cereal. I used instant steel cut oats instead of buckwheat. I love adding maple syrup a little sea salt and walnuts. Very filling.
Great idea!!
I love this cereal. I add water frim the tap and microwave for 3 minutes. After that I add shredded unsweetend coconut, maple syrup, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds and strawberry flavored kefir. This is my favorite meal of the day.
Hi Andrea,
I'd like to make this. Does the buckwheat have to be roasted or boiled before going into the mix?
Hi Lucy!
No it doesn't. When preparing the cereal to eat the whole mix soaks in boiling water for a few minutes. 👌
Andrea, I must admit I was skeptical... I am not a huge oatmeal or cereal lover, I made this for breakfast today and mixed in some almond/hazelnut butter and maple syrup. It was DELICIOUS! I can't wait to have this again tomorrow! Thanks for the recipe.
I'm so happy you enjoyed it! Nice combo with it as well! 👌
Hi Andrea...would like to try making this...where do you buy groats or buckwheat?
You can find them in the health food section of the grocery store, health food stores and bulk stores. You can also order online if you can't find in the stores. Hope that helps! 😀
Sur Not sure where you live. If you can find Bob’s Red Mill products, they make it.
If I could give this 10 stars I would.
I absolutely love having this on my morning yogurt; my favourite meal of the day now. I also put it on my salads, adds such a great crunch.
Thank you for such a delicious and healthy recipe. 💕
I'm so happy you are enjoying it! It does make a great topping for many things! 😀
Sounds delicious! Didn’t think we were to have fruit with breakfast, just protein so was surprised to learn you could add fruit to the cereal.
Yes a small amount of fruit is fine 👍
Can I mix it with a cup of yogurt instead of milk, use it like a granola 🤔
Yes absolutely! 😀
Hey Andrea 👋. Finally tried your killer grains recipe. Very Yummy!! I think I need to toast the quinoa a little bit more next time, I feel like the browner stuff that was around the edges was they way it should be. I topped it with 1/2 a sliced banana, a dollop of coconut yogurt, some unsweetened coconut, a wee drizzle of honey, and a splash of coconut rum (shhhh). I also put a little squirt of whipped cream to make it look pretty. Absolutely delicious! Thanks for this (and all) of your recipes!!
When I cooked the quinoa according to your directions (1 cup of uncooked quinoa to 4 cups of water) it was very soggy and wet. I had to drain it using the strainer. The pkg instructions said only 2 cups of water to 1.25 cups of quinoa. Is the quinoa suppose to be so soggy prior to putting under the broiler?
Hi Rebecca!
My method of cooking quinoa is different from the package directions. In this recipe it's cooked like pasta by boiling it for about 10 minutes then draining it before putting it back in the pot and continuing with the recipe. Hope that helps! 😀
Hi! Love this recipe! Do you know the nutrient facts on 2tbsp of this?
Sorry but I don't have that information. You can google "nutrition facts calculator" to find some great resources.
I love this. It makes the perfect overnight oats. Thank you
Happy you are enjoying it! 😃
Thank you for coming up with such a nutritious protein option.
It's my pleasure!😀
It's my pleasure! 😊
The killer seed recipe is awesome! I cook 2 big tbsp in just 2 oz boiling
water. I sprinkle it with cinnamon and add a small amount of fresh blueberries, and eat it with plain Greek yogurt. Very delicious and filling.
I'm excited to try more of your recipes. I'm new to the group!
Mary
So happy you are enjoying the cereal!! 😀
Hi Andrea,
I am wondering if I could cook the quinoa in an InstantPot after rinsing and then dry it in the oven?
You can, it just might require longer time to dry out depending how dry it is already from cooking in the Instapot. My method of cooking the quinoa leaves the grains nice and fluffy. Let me know how it turns out if you give it a try!
Hi Andrea,
Well,
I used the Instant Pot to cook the Quinoa and then place it on a cookie sheet to toast it in the oven. It turned out great! I just used 1/4 cup less water to cook the Quinoa in the Instant Pot.
As for buckwheat - that did not turn out great so I will try changing the water amounts and get back with you 🙂
I really love the Killer Grain Cereal in the mornings with yogurt and a few blueberries!
Glad to hear the quinoa turned out in your instapot. The buckwheat isn't cooked in this recipe. It can be eaten raw and has a nice crunch. 👌
The toasted quinoa alone is OUTSTANDING and feeds my need for that crunchy carb desire, just because of the texture. Making my third big batch, as the whole family puts it on literally everything. Ie, mix with half romano or parm instead of full on cheese, so much more nutritious and gets an amazing crunch to (their) pasta. Added it to a bit of almond flour and dredged my chicken breast in it DAMN GIRL...so good.
Oh I love that ideal to use it in breading! I'll have to try that!
So glad you are enjoying it! 😀
Hi Andrea,
Thx for your inspirations! I’ve done several of your recipes and luv luv luv them! I need some help, though with toasting my quinoa. I’m on attempt # 4 and still can’t seem to get it dried out. I am rinsing and draining like a fiend, (first attempt mistake), measuring my EVOO (2nd attempt mistake) and moving the rack down for a few minutes’ extra drying time (and forgot them...3rd attempt mistake). I assume that if it’s properly dried it will be crispy and easily separate into individual grains, not clumpy and chewy. Is that right? Any suggestions?
Thank you!
Sue
Sorry to hear you are having trouble with the quinoa! The timing will vary depending on each individual oven, how hot your broiler is and how your racks sit inside (how close or far from the broiler). Yes it should be crispy and easily separate so just continue to toast until that is reached. It may be longer then the times given in the recipe. Also, if you are unsure, take it out, let it cool to check for crispiness. If it needs more you can just pop it back in. Hope that helps!!
Success! I had to dry several extra minutes on a lower rack, and then when cooled...bam! Perfect! Thank you Andrea 💖
I am so happy to hear that!!
Do you soak/sprout/toast/otherwise cook the buckwheat groats?
No need but you can do any of those things if you want to. They get soaked in the hot water which is enough for my taste. They have a bit of a crunch which I like 🙂
The buckwheat I have looks very raw like it needs to be cooked. I'm wondering if I got the right one.
I have Buckwheat/Sarrasin. On the back it has cooking instructions. Don't we need to cook it for this recipe?
Hi Rebecca!
You don't need to cook the buckwheat for this recipe. When you prepare the cereal to eat you soak the grains & seeds in boiling water to soften a bit. Hope you enjoy it!
Thank you Andrea
I made this recipe a month or so ago and I love it! So nice having a quick and easy, high protein breakfast ready within minutes. I brought the jar to a cottage weekend and felt great knowing I'd be set for breakfast. I love mixing some yogur, cinnamon, almond slivers and PB. 2 tbsp is truly all you need. Next time I would add more of the toasted quinoa to the jar as I had quite a bit leftover and am missing it as it gets to the bottom. Thanks for your amazing recipes as always!
Thanks for your comment! So happy you enjoyed the cereal! ...and yes you can absolutely add as much of the quinoa as you like. I like the leftovers to sprinkle on top of salads 🙂
Can I use coconut oil?? Can't wait to try this!
Yes absolutely!
I am going to order buckwheat on-line, is buckwheat groats the same ? Do you recommend a brand ?
Yes the groats are the same. I use Bob's Red Mill but I'm not loyal to that brand
Have u ever tried toasting hemp hearts?? Will it work the same way
Yes you can toast the hemp hearts if you like, no problem with that!
Omg Andrea I could kiss you lol
I am plant base Vegan this is perfect and ohhhh so good! I have all kinds of combos thought of for this but today this is what I did... I didn't have buckwheat so for now had to Omit it but
2 tbsp Toasted quinoa,Chia seeds hemp hearts
1 tbsp salad topper (pumpkin,sunflower seeds and cranberries)
1/2 tbsp ground flax seeds
Added 1/2 cup boiling water to all that and let it sit 5 min
1/4 cup each frozen peaches and frozen blueberries chopped small
1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
Didn't add sugar the few cranberries I have in there are enough for me!
Can't thank you enough...keep em coming lol xo
Thanks so much! So happy you loved it. I had it myself for breakfast this morning! 🙂
Andrea....I made this cereal yesterday and tried it this morning. It is so delicious with a wonderful nutty flavour and lots of crunch! Topped it with sliced strawberries, some toasted almonds and walnuts, a little almond milk and a drizzle of honey. Excellent!?
So happy you liked it! It's so wonderful and versatile...not to mention nutritious!
Since I can’t have gluten, eggs or dairy I just didn’t eat breakfast. This recipe is so easy and delicious, I now look forward to breakfast everyday. Great recipe!
So thrilled you like it so much!