This breakfast quinoa recipe is quick, easy and healthy! It’s mixed with pumpkin and maple whipped ricotta…you’ll never eat oatmeal again!

Do you ever have moments in life where you have no idea who you are?
Okay. Let me explain. Because now you’re all concerned that I am having some sort of identity-early-life-crisis dealio.
I mean, when you do something and you have NO IDEA WHY YOU DID THAT?
I can’t confirm or deny that this happens on a daily basis. Like this morning for example.
I was driving to the grocery store, half asleep at 7 am. I had no radio on because music before 10am? Too much.

SUDDENLY, I stared singing “everybody’s doin’ a brand new dance NOWWWWW, Come on baby do the LOCOMOTIONNNNNN” and flailing my arms around (which I don’t recommend whilst driving. Ever.)
And then the desire to sing just went away.
And now you’re even more concerned about me aren’t you? I get it.
YOU KNOW WHAT. It gets weirder.
I went home and figured I should probably put some food in my facial hole…but…I didn’t feel like eating my go to oatmeal recipe with blueberry cheesecake swirl. I didn’t even want my cookie dough overnight oats. WHAT THE WHAT?

If you’ve been around here any length of time, you would know that I am obsessed with oatmeal, and generally eat it 2-4 times PER DAY. I have a problem.
But, my taste buds just said “Girlfriend. NU UH. None of that today.”
They are gangstas in their spare time you see.
SO. I did something even WEIRDER….and ate breakfast quinoa. Like, QUINOA. FOR BREAKFAST. In all the 23.9 (it’s almost my birthday!) years of my life, I would have never thought that quinoa was a good way to start the day.
Maybe end it. You know, with a Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Quinoa Recipe for dinner, BUT NEVER EVER start it.
And now I kind of wonder who I WAS for the past 23.9 years of my life ‘cause I want to start AND end EVERY DAY FOREVER (caps for MAJOR emphasis) with creamy-breakfasty-quinoa yums.

Not only is it a bowl of cozy goodness (think a taste-bud-ular hug fest) it’s also EASY and HEAL to the THY.
Did I mention the maple whipped ricotta topping? DO NOT OMIT. Remember the whole wheat pancakes with ricotta and blueberries? It’s AMAZING stuff and omitting it would be depriving your mouth of all things good in the world. And then I would be forced to report you.
I don’t know who deals reports of the taste-bud-u-lar variety, but that is neither here nor there.
Here’s your spoon.
Let’s do the locomotion….

Ba dum CHA.
Send help.

Ingredients
For the whipped ricotta:
- 1/4 Cup Reduced-fat Ricotta cheese
- 1 Tbsp Reduced-fat Cream cheese
- 1/8 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 tsp Maple Syrup
- 1 Tbsp Truvia or granulated sweetener of choice
For the quinoa:
- 2 Cups Unsweetened Vanilla almond milk
- 2 Cinnamon Sticks
- 8 Whole Cloves
- Pinch of salt
- 1 Cup Uncooked quinoa
- 2 tsp Pumpkin Pie spice
- 3/4 Cup Canned pure pumpkin not pie filling!
- 2 Tbsp Maple syrup
- 1 Cup Unsweetened almond milk sweetened to taste with Truvia
- Pecans for garnish *
Instructions
To make the whipped ricotta:
- In a small food processor, combine all ricotta ingredients and blend until smooth and well combined. Transfer to a small bowl and place in the refrigerator to set for at least to hours.
For the quinoa:
- Soak the quinoa in a large pot of water, rubbing the grains together with your fingers until the water appears cloudy. Strain the quinoa and set aside.
- Combine the 2 cups unsweetened almond milk, cinnamon sticks, cloves and a pinch of salt in a large pot and bring to a boil.
- Stir in the quinoa, cover and turn the heat to low. Boil until most of the milk is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
- Once cooked, stir in the pumpkin pie spice, canned pumpkin and maple syrup.
- Divide the mixture between bowls and pour the Truvia-sweetened almond milk over top. Then, dollop on the whipped ricotta.
- Sprinkle with fresh cinnamon and garnish with pecans,
- DEVOUR
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
Want more quinoa?

Mexican Quinoa and Sweet Potato Kale Wraps


Layla @ Brunch Time Baker says
Yum! What a great way to start off the day!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks so much Layla!
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
I’ve never eaten quinoa for breakfast. Umm….that needs to change. Looks tasty!
Have a fab weekend Taylor! xo
Taylor Kiser says
Yes! It’s so yummy! Thanks Melanie, and you too!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan(dot)com says
Haha – now I have an image of you flailing around behind your wheel to the locomotion, that I cannot blink out! You crack me up lady!
And wonderful recipe – I love quinoa for breakfast (have you had quinoa pancakes? I made some once – no flour, just quinoa and chocolate of course). Your combination of it with maple syrup, pumpkin and pecans is plain BRILLIANT!!!
Taylor Kiser says
Oh gosh. I am sorry that you have to see that! Haha!
I remember seeing that recipe but have not tried it. You know I adore pancakes so I NEED it!
Thanks friend, happy weekend!
Catalina @ Shades of Pink says
pumpkin & whipped ricotta? this is smth I want to eat thru the rest of the fall!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks so much Catalina!
taylor @ greens & chocolate says
This is EXACTLY what I need to get me out of my breakfast rut! I’m usually an oatmeal girl too but lately it just hasn’t sounded good. The ricotta in here is genius!
Taylor Kiser says
RIGHT? I haven’t been digging it lately either. Thanks girl!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Ha ha you crack me up, Taylor! I’m sure the locomotion song got your blood flowing this morning! And I’ve always wanted to try quinoa for breakfast, but just haven’t gotten around to it! This dish looks absolutely amazing! Clicking over for the recipe!
Taylor Kiser says
It totally did! It definitely woke me up that’s for sure! 😉
Thanks Gayle – I hope you love it and that you have a great weekend!
[email protected]+Her+Heartland+Soul says
Umm this sounds delicious!! Happy Friday!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you so much Erin!
Julie @ Tastes of Lizzy T says
I could definitely start my day with a bowl of this. Looks delicous!!!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you so much Julie!
[email protected]+press says
um…YES please – whipped ricotta…Oh baby
Taylor Kiser says
Right? I could live off whipped ricotta! Thanks Heather!
Christine says
This looks so delicious!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks Christine!