A few weeks back, I came up with an idea for a recipe. I decided that today was the perfect day to try it out, since we’ll need lots of fuel for this week’s 14+ hour drive from Wisconsin to Ithaca, NY, and these little beauties are nice and portable.
I present to you: Breakfast Quinoa Balls.
You read that right: Breakfast. Quinoa. In Ball Form. AKA, can easily be eaten on the road.
Not to mention the fact that it combines two of my favorite foods: Quinoa and Almond Butter. And these are vegan and gluten-free!
These are crispy and toasty on the outside, but soft on the inside. They’ve got a bit of sweetness to them, but they aren’t too sweet. Breakfast quinoa balls are perfect for breakfast or snacking!
I’m extra-excited about this recipe because it is the first one I’ve made up completely from scratch. Usually when I bake, I am either following a recipe, or using one as inspiration. I did a little research, and couldn’t find anything quite like these (which also made me feel extra creative, by the way 
), so I made them up all by myself!
As a present to congratulate me for making up my first recipe, Dan has decided to start pronouncing ‘quinoa’ correctly. He has jokingly been referring to it as ‘Q-Noah’ ever since I started eating it, and offered tonight to actually start saying the correct ‘keen-wa.’
Breakfast Quinoa Balls
Ingredients
2/3 c. quinoa
1 1/3 c. water
1 1/2 c. whole almonds
1 1/2 T. agave nectar
1/2 tsp. table salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 T. brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combine the quinoa and water in a small pot. Heat, covered, over medium heat until it starts to boil. Remove the cover and lower to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the quinoa has absorbed all the water. Spread quinoa out on a mat or pan to cool.
I am in love with the flavor of these, and both Dan and my dad gave these a ‘thumbs-up’ as well. Considering Dan doesn’t really eat breakfast quinoa, but he likes these, I’d say it was a success! My dad described them as ‘homemade energy bars!’
The nutritional stats for one quinoa ball are:
Not too shabby! Eat 3 or 4 of these with some fruit for breakfast, and you’ll be getting 9-12 grams of protein and 6-8 grams of fiber, plus all the nutrients from the fruit. Not a bad way to start the day, right? I could also see eating these as an afternoon snack, especially on days when I have a lot of back-to-back classes and need something I can eat quickly.
I am going to keep tweaking the recipe a bit, because a few of the balls were a little more crumbly than I liked, but they still tasted amazing and most of them came out with a perfect texture!
I also plan to try playing around with other flavors… chocolate? coconut? fruity? The possibilities are endless!
What do you think? Would you eat breakfast quinoa balls? I highly recommend that you try them!
Though I’ll have limited internet access for a few days, I have pre-written some more Savvy Eats for you. This week, watch for:
- Coconut Cherry Granola recipe
- Scones recipes: both the ones I made for Ashley’s bake sale and an exciting new flavor!
- ‘An Ode to Quinoa’
- The Little Things #8
Have a lovely Monday!
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow! those look really good! i will be trying them! I really wish I was talented enough to make up recipes from scratch! How do you come up with things like this? Great job! Have a wonderful week!
Let me know how you like them when you try it!
Those look awesome! I have a HUGE bag of quinoa from Costco so I am always looking for new ways to use it…
Such a good idea! Those look delicious and perfect for on-the-go eating.
Okay, so Dan’s decision to change how he pronounces quinoa is a clear marker of your success (our husbands must be related in intentionally mispronouncing words). Congrats on coming up with a new recipe – it takes lots of understanding of how everything works together to do that – ie basically you rock!!
Thank you! What does your husband intentionally mispronounce?
Yum! Love that idea!
ooh, looks amazing. it’s like a way, way better donut hole.
those sound so good!!
YUMMMMMMMM-O.
once i locate Quinoa.
and purchase a food processor.
i will be making these from SCRATCH.
until then, i will be dreaming of them.
and if i locate the Quinoa, i may as well just use the jar of almond butter i have at the house because i CAN NOT WAIT to taste these little guys!
oh! those sound good. i have been curious about quinoa as a breakfast product for awhile. i shall have to give your recipe a whirl.
I know you are busy packing – Internet on PC is being lame- text or email me (it will go to my blackberry) so I can send you the gift card code
These look fabulous! I can’t wait to try them!
wow what a great recipe idea! I see so many vegan and healthy balls over the blogosphere btunever quinoa ones!!
I made these today and they were delicious! My husband even liked them! For those interested, the almonds made about 6 oz of almond butter.
I’m so glad you (and your husband) liked them!
Julie, these look awesome!! Totally stumbling
Oh, wow! I LOVE quinoa! And these could be dehydrated, too! Cool!
*smiles*
Michele
They totally could be dehydrated! If I had a dehydrator, I would try it.
LOVE this idea!!! I’ve been branching out a lot lately in the breakfast department and I’m definitely going to add these to my list of things to make next week. You’re so creative!!
Thank you! I hope you like them!!
Quinoa is the best! Its a great natural protein too, super duper food. Thanks for shaing this, were going to try and make this tomorrow with the kids.
I made these with peanut butter and honey and sprinkled a little sea salt on top of the formed balls prior to cooking. Very very yummy. I also added about half an egg yolk and that seemed to keep the balls together very nicely. Thanks for introducing me to quiona! I’m a vegetarian so I’m always looking for ways to get protein.
Thanks for the tip on the egg yolk! I’m glad you liked the quinoa balls…PB + honey + sea salt sounds delicious!
Omgosh…how have a never seen this recipe?! Must. Make. STAT!
Let me know how you like them! Another reader suggested using half an egg yolk to help them hold together better, fyi.
Omygosh!!! I just made these with some of the leftovers of quinoa from dinner tonight- I adapted by using sunflower butter instead and honey instead of agave nectar AND added 1 TB cocoa powder- oh my I had to stop myself from eating the batter -yum-O!!!!!
Thanks sooo much for this recipe
Many blessings
Ooooh, cocoa powder would be a REALLY good addition! Glad you liked them.