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.
Alternative Baking Method
If you have more time or find broiling too tricky, you can bake the quinoa at 350F for approximately one hour, stirring every 15 minutes until dry and crispy.
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 tablespoon 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 ¼ 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
📖 Recipe
Killer Grain & Seed Cereal
Ingredients
Toasted Quinoa
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed well and drained
- 4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon olive, avocado, coconut or grapeseed oil
- ½ teaspoon 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 really well.
- Turn the oven broiler to high and position a rack in top third of oven.
- Put well drained quinoa back in the pot and mix in olive oil and salt. Spread thinly and 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. Alternative method: If you have more time or find broiling too tricky, you can bake the quinoa at 350F for approximately one hour, stirring every 15 minutes until dry and crispy. 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 ¼ cup of boiling water to 2 tablespoon 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
- Storage - 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!
- Nutritional facts are based on one serving of cereal only. They are an estimate only and have not been approved by a Registered Dietitian.
Heather says
Love it! So good. I cut 1/2 an apple and sprinkle some cinnamon on with a couple of dates and some Greek yogurt. Hardly think about food at lunchtime it’s so filling.
Diana says
This is a killer recipe! It’s simple to make and keeps me going! I’ve made it several times - I’ve toasted the quinoa with the broiler, in a pan on top of the stove, and today I did it at 350 in the oven for an hour. For me, if I’m going to be in the kitchen anyway, I prefer the 350 oven method - it’s easier to keep it from burning when I get distracted! Thanks for such a great recipe!
Valerie Smith says
I love this. Have been making it for six months. I also add toasted brown lentils. I put it as is, dry, on granola. I also sprinkle on salads. I find toasting on bake works better for me.
Andrea says
Great addition of the toasted lentils. Extra protein and fibre! So happy you are enjoying it!
S says
This is a staple breakfast for me! I love it.
Can this be made similar to ‘overnight oats’?
For example - can I add almond milk to the cereal the night before and eat without adding boiled water the following day?
Andrea says
Hi there!
Yes you absolutely can do that! So happy you are enjoying the cereal!
Marla says
Hi Andrea, making your killer cereal and I just noticed on the bag of “organic raw white buckwheat groats” that the directions say to simmer the groats in a cup of water for 10 minutes. Do the groats need to be precooked before addding into the quinoa mix?
Thanks, Marla
Andrea says
Hi Marla!
You can use them raw and then soak the cereal as per the instructions. But you can also use the cereal raw sprinkled as a topper on things like salad, yogurt or oatmeal...or anything really! Hope you enjoy it!
Judy says
Making it right now and watching the oven like a hawk. Just curious why it needs to be stored in the fridge? Are the ingredients not all shelf stable…perhaps I am storing them all incorrectly? Or is it because the quinoa has been cooked.
Thanks!
Andrea says
Hi Judy!
If you don't end up getting all the moisture out of the quinoa it can start to mould if left at room temperature. If you are certain it is completely dried out you can store it in the cupboard without issues. Hope you enjoy the cereal!
Judy says
Got it-makes sense. It looks great, I am excited to try it tomorrow morning!
Fran says
Yummy delish. Love the crunch.