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


Becca says
Hi Taylor! Sweet blog. Loved getting to “know” you as I read through your “about” section.
This recipe sounds AMAZING! 2 weeks ago I made quinoa for breakfast for the first time ever. I, too, was shocked at how I had LIVED without it for the almost-22 years I’d walked this green earth!
This will be my next creation 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
RIGHT? I totally thought breakfast quinoa was NOT going to be my jam at all. I was sure wrong!
Thank you so much for the sweet words Becca, and I hope that you love the quinoa – so happy to have you here! 😀
athletic+avocado says
wow this is incredible! Maple whipped ricotta? Genius! 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
It is SO good! Thank you!
[email protected]+Life's+Ambrosia says
Girl….you crack me up 🙂 And I am still trying to get over the fact that you eat oat meal 2 – 3 times per day. That’s a whole lotta oats! Quinoa on the other hand, I could eat that 2 – 3 times per day and now I have a way to incorporate it into breakfast. yay!
Taylor Kiser says
I have to buy it in bulk to keep my grocery bills from being taken over by oats. I have a serious oat addiction!
Thanks Des, hope you lurve it!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
This sounds absolutely amazing!!! I’m super duper into this, and love the though of quinoa for breakfast. Pinned!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks lovely lady! Happy weekend!
[email protected]+thebigmansworld says
I’m testing the waters with Quinoa again and this looks absolutely insane! YUM!
Taylor Kiser says
Did you have a bad childhood experience? 😉 Thanks Arman!
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says
I’ve NEVER thought to eat quinoa for breakfast, but it’s such a great idea! How funny that one day you crave oatmeal and the next – NOPE!
Also, Taylor, these photos are so so so beautiful. I love the way the light catches the top of the quinoa.
Taylor Kiser says
So weird right?
Thanks Sarah, because I actually HATE the photos haha! 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Nicole+~+Cooking+for+Keeps says
This makes me want to go in to work late, just so I can curl up in a ball, drink my coffee and take my sweet time to devour this!
Taylor Kiser says
I think that is a good idea. Your boss will TOTALLY understand 😉 Thanks girlfriend!
Michelle @ Green Earth Bazaar says
I love quinoa for breakfast. Sometimes oatmeal just gets BORING. Your recipe sounds great!
Found your blog #SITSBlogging today, glad that I did. Have a wonderful rest of the week. 😉
Taylor Kiser says
Right?! I love oatmeal, but need a change!
Thank you so much Michelle, it’s great to have you! I hope you have a great week too! 🙂
Susan @ 2 cats & chloe says
This looks SO GREAT! I love that it’s GF and delicious!! I’m pinning this one right now! I’m so happy I found your blog… love your style! You should join me on Tuesdays for the Celebrate Southern link up I host over at http://www.2catsandchloe.com for some southern-inspired posts. It’s still live today! You don’t have to be a southern blogger to join, this post would be a perfect fit! 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you so much Susan!! I will check it out! 😀
Christine | No Gojis No Glory says
I need some of this in my life Right. Now. This looks absolutely delicious! I came across your blog on The Sits Girls, and I’m so glad I did. Pinning and plan to try this this weekend 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
Yay, so happy to have you here Christine! Thank you so much, please let me know if you try it! 😀