A smart breakfast will keep you satisfied for hours- it will stave off mid-morning cravings and fuel you until lunch. No more foggy brain or second cup of joe to help you ‘push through’- breakfast can do that. This High-Protein Chocolate Banana Breakfast Quinoa will do the trick and tastes delish!
Lately I have been looking for lost time- those minutes you give away to time-consuming or meaningless tasks that could be invested elsewhere. Morning breakfast has to happen each day, but I feel that it could be a bit more efficient. I strategized 2 ways to address this:
- Make 1 big pot of hot breakfast cereal or a breakfast casserole each weekend to eat on during the week.
- Keep breakfast each week to 2 options: A & B. That’s it!
While we aren’t perfect at this plan, it is helping us out by eliminating the question, “What do you want for breakfast?” It is simplifying my approach and it is so nice to have an option ready to reheat and then eat!
Each week, I am choosing 2 different breakfast options so that no one gets bored. Some of these include overnight oatmeal, slow cooker steel cut oats, our favorite breakfast casserole, etc. One of the things that is important is that it is a complete meal all in 1, like my newest recipe High-Protein Chocolate Banana Breakfast Quinoa.
Perfectly balanced with fiber, quality protein and healthy fat, this chocolatey breakfast bowl is an ideal combination of nutrition that tastes amazing! It is yummy and creamy hot or cold- choose your mood.
The secret ingredient that boosts the protein is egg whites! You can’t tell they are in there but they help give each serving almost 20 grams of protein! As I discussed in this article, research suggests that 20-30 grams of protein at each meal appears to be ideal target to maintain and potentially build muscle.
This High Protein Chocolate Banana Breakfast Quinoa recipe can be doubled and even tripled (which is what we often do) and then stored in the fridge. Simply reheat in the microwave for 30-60 seconds and it’s ready for topping.
To be real, my 2 year old has an egg allergy and cannot eat this recipe exactly as written. I simply cook per recipe and then remove a few servings before adding the egg whites so that she can eat as is or with a spoonful of yogurt or almond butter stirred in.
If you want to simplify your mornings, having an option ready-to-eat is quite liberating! Notice my TIPS section so that you can make this recipe entirely sugar free or for adjustments for plant-based milks like almond or coconut. You can also change the type of nuts you add based on your family’s preferences or what you have in your pantry.
Chocolate, banana and nuts- a match made in heaven- and a breakfast bowl you and your family are sure to love!
High Protein Chocolate Banana Breakfast Quinoa
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup quinoa
- 1 ½ cups low-fat milk or plant-based milk
- 1 cup water
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup egg whites
- 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tsp chia seeds
- ½ medium banana chopped
- 1 oz almonds chopped or slivered
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa, milk, water, and vanilla. Bring to a boil and then turn down to medium low to simmer and allow the quinoa to absorb all of the liquid, about 25 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Once quinoa is creamy and has absorbed the liquid, turn off the burner and stir in the egg whites, maple syrup/honey, cocoa powder and chia seeds. Allow to sit on the warm stovetop for a few minutes to thicken.
- Top with chopped or slivered almonds and banana. Serve warm or cold.
Notes
- Make sure to always rinse your quinoa first to remove a bitter residue!
- Using plant-based milk will reduce protein per serving, but works just fine.
- Double or triple the recipe to make enough for the entire family or for leftovers during the week!
- Use coconut milk in place of dairy milk and top with a tablespoon of unsweetened coconut.
- Eliminate all added sugar (maple syrup) and instead add ½ mashed banana to the quinoa while cooking; top cooked quinoa with remaining ½ of banana.
Enjoy a nourishing and filling breakfast by having this High Protein Chocolate Banana Breakfast Quinoa ready-to-go so that you can gather a few lost minutes each morning!
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