We all know that breakfast is a key component to a healthy lifestyle. Heck, if I had a dollar for every time I read about the importance of eating breakfast in my nutrition classes, I’d have about $12. But who really has time to compose a balanced meal when it’s 8:34 am and you’ve gotta be somewhere at 9:00 am? Not I. And if you do, please hit me up.

The best breakfast eating method I’ve come up with is to make a large batch of something on a Sunday afternoon that I can easily grab on hectic weekday mornings.

Another thing I’ve read twelve times as a nutrition major is that meals with protein, healthy fats, and fiber ward off that hangry feeling much better than, say, a Pop-Tart and cup of coffee. Que my quinoa breakfast cups. Quinoa and almond butter are great sources of protein, coconuts are full of unsaturated, “good” fats, and the fruit adds fiber, vitamins, and the perfect hint of sweetness. I would even go so far as to call these little superfoods, and I’m sure they’ll make you feel super too.

Quinoa Breakfast Cups

  • Prep Time:10 mins
  • Cook Time:20 mins
  • Total Time:30 mins
  • Servings:10
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1 very ripe banana
  • 1 single serve carton applesauce - about 1/2 cup from the jar
  • 2 tablespoons almond butter
  • 1/4 cup coconut milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 cups cooked quinoa
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped fruit - whatever you've got on hand
  • Cooking spray
beef, sausage
Raigon Wilson

  • Step 1

    In a medium sized mixing bowl, mash the banana and mix in the applesauce, almond butter, coconut milk, and spices.

    milk, cream, sweet
    Raigon Wilson

  • Step 2

    Stir in the quinoa.

    sweet, cereal
    Raigon Wilson

  • Step 3

    Fold in the fruit of your choice. I used the good half of a rotting pear and some frozen berries leftover from last semester...but you don't have to live my struggle.

    milk, cereal, sweet
    Raigon Wilson

  • Step 4

    Spoon the mixture into a greased muffin tin and bake for 20 minutes at 350°F.

    cake, pastry, pie, muffin, cheese
    Raigon Wilson

  • Step 5

    Let the breakfast cups cool completely before removing them from the muffin tins, or else you'll have breakfast mush instead of breakfast cups. Still tasty though.

    bacon, muffin
    Raigon Wilson

Keep these in your refrigerator for a week, and take them to class, work, or wherever you may go for a nutritious, morning snack. 

Make sure to check out these 11 healthy breakfast ideas that take less than 5 minutes.