Superfood porridge (with quinoa, chia and flax)
I make porridge all the time, especially in the winter, but I’m not usually very adventurous with it. Oats, milk, water, and maybe a bit of honey or maple syrup drizzled over the top. This superfood porridge is much more exciting, and is absolutely full of goodness.
As well as the oats, I cooked some quinoa, flax seeds and chia seeds right into the porridge. They give the oatmeal a more interesting texture (slightly more gelatinous than normal porridge, though not in a bad way!), and also give a really lovely, nutty flavour – not to mention the extra magnesium, calcium, iron, and fibre.
To up the superfoods even more, I topped my porridge with pumpkin seeds, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. When you stir them through, the berries leave beautiful red and blue streaks across the porridge – it’s incredibly beautiful, super healthy, and unbelievably delicious all at once. Not a bad way to start the day.
Since quinoa takes a bit longer to cook than oats do (about 20 minutes), this superfood porridge isn’t quite as quick to make as normal porridge, so it’s the perfect thing to save for a weekend brunch – cook up a big panful and let everyone add their own toppings. I made a nice big batch in this gorgeous gold and silver saucepan from Marks and Spencer’s new Chef range. It’s super stylish and well-made, and the oven-proof lid and handle mean it’s really versatile too. I can’t wait to experiment with it more.
The lovely bowl you can see in the photos, in that gorgeous dusky blue-grey colour, is also from M&S. They have some really pretty stuff! Perfect for a winter breakfast.
You can check out the rest of the M&S Chef range on their ‘Super Brunch’ page, where you’ll also find some gorgeous recipes made using the products. I’m loving the look of the ‘bowl that’s big enough for a proper brunch’!
Superfood porridge with quinoa, chia and flax
Ingredients
- 70 g quinoa (~ 1/4 cup)
- 100 g oats (~ 1 cup)
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tbsp flax seeds
- 500 ml milk, any kind (~ 2 cups)
- 500 ml water (~ 2 cups)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
- Handful fresh berries, to serve
Instructions
- Add the quinoa, oats, chia seeds and flax seeds to a large saucepan, and add the milk, water, vanilla and maple syrup. Mix thoroughly, and place over a medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring regularly, for around 20 minutes, until the quinoa is very soft and the mixture has reached your desired consistency.
- Serve topped with pumpkin seeds and fresh berries.
Note: Nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on exactly what ingredients you choose.
If you’re not feeling quite so virtuous, my coconut oats with brown sugar bananas are pretty amazing too:
I’ve tried quinoa porridge before and loved it, so much more filling than regulare ats which don’t have the same ability to fill you up for longer. Your toppings are the perfect mix, so many lovely ideas here!
Thanks Laura! Yes, this superfood porridge is super filling. It’s better than normal porridge in so many ways :)
Loving the look of this M&S range, our current crockery is M&S and it’s been really good. Must check out those pans next time I’m in there! The porridge sounds like the perfect healthy start to the day!
Check out the crockery too, if you need any new stuff – the bowls are absolutely lovely :)
I need to do better at eating some of the healthier ingredients, oats of course but also chia and flax, especially as I take flax supplements for my eyes already.
I think they’re things that can do a lot of good if you (general you!) are able to work them into your diet regularly. I always add a spoonful of flax to my porridge and yogurt, as it’s so easy and I feel like I’m being virtuous haha.
I add all sorts of things to my porridge, but not yet quinoa! I’m in love with that saucepan and is that a gold spoon I spotted too – I really really want a gold spoon!
Yes it’s pretty snazzy! They have some really lovely stuff :)
Such a beautiful breakfast and the perfect way to start the weekend :)
Janie x
That sounds glorious! Porridge is one of my favorite things <3
I adore porridge but have never tried it with quinoa, the temperature has dropped again here this week so I’ll definitely be rolling this out for breakfast!
It’s well and truly porridge weather now isn’t it! Brrr!
What a perfect winter warmer to start the day – I bet it keeps you full for ages! It really does look super-yummy!
We make something very similar and it’s nice to start the day with so much goodness. Not to mention delicious too.
This sounds like such a healthy and filling breakfast, ideal to start of the day especially on cold winter days! Porridge can be so boring.
This is perfect dish for breakfast, love the berries and the flavor combination. Great dish to start the day.
I bet the quinoa, chia and flax add an awesome texture to this porridge! Sounds so delicious too!
I love packing as much nutrition as I possibly can into my morning oats! I always add chia seeds, but I’ve never tried mixing quinoa and flax seeds into the oats. Definitely going to give this a try.
Thanks Nicola, they make it really nice and filling and add a lovely nutty flavour too :)
This might be the most delicious porridge with quinoa I’ve ever tasted! Honestly, this is now my go to breakfast :) Thank you for sharing this recipe!
You’re welcome Hanna, really glad you enjoyed it!
This sounds delicious! I’ve never thought of putting quinoa in poridge before, what a great idea!
Katie xoxo
Thanks Katie! Always nice to mix things up a bit :)
I made quinoa porridge before but I used quinoa flakes – these are much quicker to cook and the taste is good too. I love adding flaxseeds to my porridge as they are really good for you.
Ooh good idea! I’ve never seen quinoa flakes in the supermarkets here, I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled for them. Flax seeds are a staple in my breakfasts, I love them sprinkled on yogurt too :)
I’ve never seen quinoa flakes in supermarkets either! You can buy them from Holland & Barrett and online of course.
Ah ok, I’ll have to pop into H&B next time I’m in town :)
This is definitely a great breakfast to start your day right. This porridge is not boring at all. Flavorful indeed. I love that you put mayan pumpkin seeds in it! Thanks for this wonderful breakfast!