Quinoa Pancakes Recipe

Hi guys! How’s your day going so far? It’s been a great one over here. Not only do I have this great recipe for nutrient-dense quinoa pancakes to share, I’ve taught one Zumba class so far (one to go!) and I was offered a job teaching barre classes. Exciting to see some things in motion. 🙂

Also fun: this hibiscus plant. It made the trek out here to Tucson, even though I was convinced it died two years ago. My nana had been telling me this entire time it was still alive and to keep watering it, and whaddaya know. She was right, as usual. 😉

pink hibiscus

Now let’s talk about some breakfast.

quinoa pancakes

I’ve been rocking and rolling on the meal prep lately, and it has helped a LOT. We’ve done a pretty good job minimizing restaurant adventures (as tempting as they may be) and eating most meals here at home. This week, the Pilot grilled an extra batch of chicken for salads, I chopped fresh veggies and made granola, and Livi and I have been enjoying the glorious farmers’ market produce. I realized that there’s something I haven’t prepped in quite a while: quinoa.

There are a couple of reasons for this: 1) the Pilot kinda hates it (and kept it a secret from me for years haha) and 2) I never ended up using all of it. At the end of the week, there was still a bit of quinoa still lingering untouched in the fridge. 

No longer.

Quinoa Pancakes

gluten-free high protein quinoa pancakes

I decided to see how it would work in some pancakes, and I may have created a new breakfast monster. These quinoa pancakes are high in nutrition, perfect with some preserves or maple syrup, and have a light, fluffy texture.

quinoa pancakes

quinoa pancakes bite

Let me know if you give them a try!

stack of quinoa pancakes

Print

Quinoa Pancakes

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.2 from 5 reviews

A delicious and nutrient-dense breakfast option.

  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 5
  • Total Time: 10
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients until well-mixed.
  2. Heat a large skillet on medium-low heat and add some butter or coconut oil to the pan.
  3. Using a measuring cup, scoop the batter into 4 pancake shapes in the pan.
  4. Cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side, until set and golden, before flipping to cook 1-2 minutes on the other side.
  5. Serve with fresh berries, preserves and/or pure maple syrup.

Notes

  • This is a great option to use leftover prepare quinoa!
  • Make a large batch and freeze to quickly reheat for breakfast during the week.

Some of my favorite uses for quinoa are here + these quinoa trail mix muffins. 🙂

Have a wonderful afternoon <3

xoxo

Gina

What’s your staple breakfast? The egg burrito will always have my heart.

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87 Comments

  1. janae@hungryrunnergirl on May 13, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    Come make me breakfast:) YAY for the barre class! I will be down in Southern California soon so I will have to come take your class!

    • Fitnessista on May 13, 2014 at 6:03 pm

      please do! if you come to SD, i will def make you breakfast 🙂 (and we’ll have to get acai bowls and take the kiddos to the beach) xoxo

      • janae@hungryrunnergirl on May 13, 2014 at 6:04 pm

        That sounds like heaven!

    • Mel on March 11, 2019 at 1:06 pm

      First time making these. Came out great. I love quinoa. Just started a candida diet to heal my tummy. Husband likes the different options as well. I’ll try savory too.






  2. JG on May 13, 2014 at 6:23 pm

    Oooh I am going to try these tomorrow– how did you know I have a bunch of unused quinoa in my fridge? 😉

  3. Shaina Anderson on May 13, 2014 at 6:28 pm

    Yum! Happening tomorrow (now that my kitchen is unpacked!!)

  4. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West on May 13, 2014 at 6:31 pm

    My husband won’t eat quinoa. I need to incorporate it into more recipes, in which he doesn’t know it’s in there, just like this. 🙂

  5. Chicago Jogger on May 13, 2014 at 6:31 pm

    This is so smart! I LOVE quinoa. My husband also isn’t so sure about it; I think this is the perfect breakfast for one 🙂

  6. Meagan on May 13, 2014 at 6:56 pm

    WOW! That easy! I will definitely have to try this if I ever have leftover quinoa (which I normally don’t eat but it always looks yummy). CONGRATS on the Barre job! That’s such a blessing to get going right away!

  7. Jackie on May 13, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    Crap I just tossed my unused quinoa today!

    • Fitnessista on May 13, 2014 at 7:51 pm

      ahhh! sad trombone

  8. Sara @ LovingOnTheRun on May 13, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    These look delicious! I am going to have to try it out very soon!

  9. Louise on May 13, 2014 at 7:23 pm

    Congrats on the barre class job! How long do you find the grilled chicken for salads lasts in the fridge? I always get a bit nervous with chicken but having it prepared makes a big difference to how I eat during the week.

    • Fitnessista on May 13, 2014 at 7:47 pm

      i think its max is around 5 days. usually 3 large chicken breasts is the perfect amount.

      • Louise on May 13, 2014 at 7:52 pm

        Thanks! No more excuse for me now 🙂

        • Fitnessista on May 13, 2014 at 8:00 pm

          🙂 i notice i eat better too when i have some good protein prepped and ready

    • jen on May 14, 2014 at 1:17 am

      you can also freeze the cooked chicken and take out the night before or microwave it. this works great when its on sale and if your grilling you can just grill a bunch with your dinner. cut into strips when cooled and freeze.

      • Fitnessista on May 14, 2014 at 1:49 am

        brilliant!

  10. Yaara Leve on May 13, 2014 at 7:31 pm

    Congrats on the barre class!! Where are you going to be teaching? I’ve actually been dappling around with yoga certifications myself. I’ve always wanted to do it.

    • Fitnessista on May 13, 2014 at 7:51 pm

      i’ll post the info after i finish training and am on the floor 🙂

  11. Livi on May 13, 2014 at 7:39 pm

    Yum!!! Maybe now I can convince my boyfriend to eat some quinoa!!

  12. Leah on May 13, 2014 at 7:40 pm

    Looks delish! My husband isn’t a huge quinoa fan so we have lots of leftovers too. Great idea!

  13. Jess on May 13, 2014 at 9:15 pm

    Love this idea! Thanks for sharing : )

  14. Julia on May 13, 2014 at 9:15 pm

    What does it taste like? I don’t love the taste of quinoa but I feel like maybe the cinnamon and some maple syrup might hide the quiona taste?

    • Fitnessista on May 14, 2014 at 1:49 am

      the honey helps take some of that quinoa-y taste away too

  15. Gianna @ Run, Lift, Repeat on May 13, 2014 at 9:15 pm

    This comes along as I have a massive tupperwear of quinoa in the fridge and was just thinking how I thought I was going to eat all that! Cannot wait to try this.

  16. Mary Ann on May 13, 2014 at 10:10 pm

    Ooh I will have to try this. I had an unfortunate incident with quinoa a few years ago (it was part of the last meal I ate before a bout of stomach flu) but might be ready to try it again.

  17. Megan @ The Skinny-Life on May 13, 2014 at 11:01 pm

    Yum! I adore quinoa. I need to try these for sure!

  18. Polly @ Tasty Food Project on May 14, 2014 at 1:20 am

    I cook quinoa all the time but tried using them to make pancakes! Great idea!

    I usually have a green smoothie for breakfast but lately I’ve been trying to branch out and try different things. I like anything that includes eggs!

  19. Mila on May 14, 2014 at 3:36 am

    Gina, I can’t wait to try these out! Probably this weekend and I’ll be sure to post back how they turned out.

    Congrats on the job offer 🙂

  20. Lucie@FitSwissChick on May 14, 2014 at 3:40 am

    These look so good!! I love Quinoa – especially sweet!

  21. Runner Girl Eats on May 14, 2014 at 6:16 am

    I’ve been sneakign quinoa into more meals and this seems like a great idea. Congrats on the barre class!

  22. Rhiannon @ Bound to be a Buckeye on May 14, 2014 at 7:10 am

    Congratulations on the job offer! How exciting 🙂

  23. Caroline on May 14, 2014 at 7:33 am

    Hey Gina 🙂 I’d love to try this recipe! How much dry quinoa yields about 1.5 cups? I have lots of dry quinoa on hand, but none prepped. I promise to report back with how the recipe goes!

  24. Teri {a foodie stays fit} on May 14, 2014 at 8:07 am

    I just made these for breakfast. OMG SO GOOD!! And so simple! Thanks for the recipe! Xo

  25. Cassie Vaughn on May 14, 2014 at 8:19 am

    My husband also hates quinoa. And chick peas. Who hates chick peas?

  26. Michelle on May 14, 2014 at 9:47 am

    Thank you for a great recipe–tried it this morning!! I think leftover mashed sweet potatoes would also make a good addition (another healthy food I eat all the time that my husband won’t touch!)

  27. Jessie on May 14, 2014 at 10:39 am

    Congrats on the job offer! That is awesome! Sounds like your family is settling in so well!

  28. Marjorie on May 14, 2014 at 10:51 am

    I’ve never been a huge fan of Quinoa (it’s a texture thing), but I feel like maybe if I blend the ingredients in my Vitamix that should hopefully help breakdown the Quinoa more. Thoughts?

    • masala girl on May 14, 2014 at 6:36 pm

      i’m not sure if you could do that, but there is quinoa flour & quinoa flakes!

  29. Jennifer on May 14, 2014 at 11:29 am

    Great idea! Happening tomorrow for sure, leftover quinoa in the fridge from the quinoa meatballs made over the weekend. I secretly hate quinoa, too, and can’t bring myself to eat it, topped with veggies or sauce. Congrats on your new Barre teaching job and Zumba! xoxo

  30. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment on May 14, 2014 at 1:11 pm

    I have to try these pancakes soon! Congrats on the Barre class!

  31. Tracy on May 14, 2014 at 2:13 pm

    Yum what a brilliant use for leftover quinoa…or any grain really! I’m on a huge smoothie kick like I always am this time of year. I mix in some of your perfect protein pancakes here and there. I can’t wait to try these out, too!

    Congrats on the barre class, too!

  32. Tia @ Tina and Tia on May 14, 2014 at 4:32 pm

    I recently found out that my bf doesn’t like scallops or eggplant (two of my faves). Poor thing just dutifully eats whatever I make…should have spoken up! More for me!

  33. Crystal on May 15, 2014 at 9:35 am

    Made these for breakfast this morning. My 19 month old is gobbling them up. Great source of protein for him! Thank you!

    • Fitnessista on May 15, 2014 at 11:28 am

      yay! so glad the little guy is a fan 🙂

  34. Krista on May 15, 2014 at 2:06 pm

    Tried these pancakes this morning. LOVED them! 🙂

    • Fitnessista on May 15, 2014 at 2:52 pm

      yayyyyy 🙂 awesome!

  35. joelle @ on a pink typewriter on May 15, 2014 at 5:53 pm

    Awesome about barre! What studio will you be at down here?

    • Fitnessista on May 15, 2014 at 5:57 pm

      barre body in pb 🙂 i’ll let you know when i start teaching!

  36. Jasmyne Teoma @ SpiceItUpFitness on May 17, 2014 at 2:44 pm

    Nana’s are always right 🙂 lol! And oh my goodness I love the pancake recipe and can’t wait to try it tomorrow! I made a chocolate cake with quinoa and it was so rich + moist, I cant wait to try out these pancakes! 😀

  37. Stephanie @ Whole Health Dork on May 19, 2014 at 2:04 pm

    I will definitely give this a try! Try to mix up my breakfasts lately. Also, my husband does not like quinoa. He’s given it a fair shot, but he hates when he gets a random piece of sand (guess I can’t blame him).

  38. Tara on May 20, 2014 at 8:38 pm

    I have followed your blog for a while but this is my first time commenting. I absolutely had to comment on the deliciousness of these pancakes. I just made them (breakfast for dinner) and I could eat 12 more of them right now! So, so good and an easy, healthy recipe. Anyone who is thinking of trying this, should!

    • Fitnessista on May 21, 2014 at 11:31 am

      yay first comment 🙂 i’m so glad to hear you liked them!!

  39. Lauren on August 21, 2014 at 5:10 am

    Been wanting to take the plunge and try quinoa for a while. Found this recipe and thought id give it a go – so pleased with the results (and so were the rest of my family)!! Thank you so much for the recipe. Will definitely be making them again 😀

  40. Lettsi on October 10, 2014 at 10:46 am

    Hello, I love quinoa and so does my mommy, my brother and I went on vacation and surprised her for her birthday (which is today) I made her breakfast this morning and glad I came up with your recipe before I decided to make her pancakes, she LOVED them, thank you very much for sharing.

  41. Mary on October 16, 2014 at 4:49 pm

    Oh have to get psyched up to try quinoa again. I’ve tried several recipes that I have not liked.

  42. Lizzie @ The Magic Tree on November 11, 2014 at 11:01 am

    Would love these for B for D (Breakfast for Dinn!) The problem is I am so in ept at making pancakes. I can never get the flip right – they either turn out burnt or too doughy. I would love a post or video on pancake flipping haha

    • Fitnessista on November 11, 2014 at 4:11 pm

      haha my video would consist of me drinking tea, feeding liv fruit and yogurt, forgetting about the pancakes, running into the kitchen to flip at the very last second haha

  43. Whitney on November 11, 2014 at 11:13 am

    First of all, I love that you are linking to older content on the Facebook machine. Secondly, Wyn LOVES quinoa and I am making these stat. #babycakes. Also, I really miss you.

  44. Naomi Campbell on April 16, 2015 at 10:04 am

    I tried to look through these to see if anyone else had asked, but I didn’t see it, so sorry if I just missed it. I confess I didn’t read EVERYTHING. Can you freeze these pancakes nicely and maybe pop them back on the griddle (I made mine in the griddle. I’ve tried oatmeal cottage cheese pancakes too and like them…have you?) and warm them up…or toast them to rewarm? So…yeah, does freezing work well on these? Thanks!

    • Fitnessista on April 16, 2015 at 3:29 pm

      yep! you can totally freeze these 🙂

  45. Becca on April 28, 2015 at 10:01 am

    Do you add this to regular pancake mix? Mine aren’t flipping like a pancake, crumbling with laughter as I try to flip it lol.

  46. Danielle on May 8, 2015 at 4:44 am

    This was delicious! Next time, think I’ll add chia seeds so they aren’t as delicate .

  47. Erin on August 13, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    I did not like these.

  48. Emma on September 18, 2015 at 8:12 am

    You’re quinoa pancakes (“keen-cakes”, as we call them) are incredible! They are so easy, so nutritious and great hot or room temp. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!!!!

    • Fitnessista on September 19, 2015 at 10:34 pm

      i’m so happy you love them!! 🙂

  49. Julianna on September 21, 2015 at 8:12 am

    I had some quinoa pancakes somewhere recently that were wonderful. I definitely want to try these.

    So am I reading the recipe correctly that is just makes 4 pancakes? So would one pancake be a serving? I’m trying to get my parents to eat healthier (Mom is type 2 diabetic and needs to lose lots of weight). Just want to make sure I keep portion size in check. Thanks.

    • Fitnessista on September 21, 2015 at 9:53 am

      i would have two as breakfast 🙂 hope she likes them!!

  50. Jennifer on September 28, 2015 at 10:11 pm

    Hi, loving this idea – I’m a latecomer to your website. Mine were very sloppy. Was it that I should have not used quinoa I just cooked? Perhaps it’s better the day after? not sure what happened but they were still lovely

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