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    MJ & Hungryman ยป Baby/Kid-Friendly Recipes ยป Easy Quinoa Baby Cereal (4 Ways)

    Easy Quinoa Baby Cereal (4 Ways)

    By Min On February 21, 2022

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

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    four variations to the basic quinoa cereal served on separate four pink bowls.

    Making homemade baby cereal or porridge is SO easy and inexpensive! If you've only been serving rice or oat-based cereals, give this iron-rich quinoa version a try!

    plain quinoa baby cereal in a small bowl with baby spoon.
    Table of Contents
    • What is the best best cereal to start with?
    • Enter Quinoa Baby Cereal/Porridge
    • Basic Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Add those toppings!!
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Flavor Combination Inspirations
    • Easy Quinoa Baby Cereal (4 Ways)

    What is the best best cereal to start with?

    While the popular recommendation is to start with iron-fortified rice cereal, you DO NOT have to as this is outdated advice. There are plenty of flavorful, iron-rich foods to choose from.

    You also donโ€™t have to start with baby cereal or other smooth purees, unless itโ€™s what you feel most comfortable doing.

    You can introduce soft finger foods from the beginning, if your baby is showing ALL the signs of readiness for solids. If you are unsure whether your baby is developmentally ready, grab this FREE handout.

    Having said all this, I want to answer this question by reframing it - The best first cereal foods are those that are iron-rich and allow for your baby to experience a variety of colors, flavors, and textures.

    By doing so, not only will your baby get all the nutrients necessary to grow and thrive, it will help minimize picky eating down the road.

    Related: Best Iron-Rich Foods for Babies

    Enter Quinoa Baby Cereal/Porridge

    Quinoa is such an amazing grain and iron-rich food to introduce your baby to! So much so that I've written a whole post about it!

    Not only is it a nutritional powerhouse, but this simple recipe will serve as a great vehicle for incorporating VARIETY to your baby's diet.

    Variety is the name of the game when it comes to feeding your baby! It's important for nutrition, acceptance of new foods, and development of skills necessary to chew and swallow effectively.

    It will also make family mealtimes that much more enjoyable because nobody, not even your baby, wants to eat the same foods and texture day in and out.

    Whether you are doing purees or baby led weaning, this porridge will be a wonderful experience for your baby. Even my toddler enjoys it as his breakfast with all the toppings.

    On top of that, this will be the least messy way to serve this tiny grain to your baby! You're welcome ;).

    Related: Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Babies

    Basic Ingredients

    cooked quinoa and breastmilk placed on a wooden board.

    Instructions

    Add cooked quinoa and liquid to a blender and process until smooth.

    You can control the consistency by adjusting the amount of liquid. If you feel like youโ€™re stuck on smooth purees, try adding less and less liquid each time so you can gently challenge your baby to get accustomed to texture.

    Need more guidance in moving forward with texture? Click here!

    Add those toppings!!

    Sure, you can just serve the porridge plain. It will have a slightly nutty and earthy flavor. BUT please don't stop there!

    • Have leftover cooked vegetables? Ripe fruit? Finely chop (or mash) and add them in!
    • Mix in some nut butter or ground nuts/seeds for a boost of healthy fats.
    • Stir in some yogurt or low-sodium cheese like ricotta or mascarpone.
    • So good with dips/sauces!
    • Spice it up!

    There's no need to measure any of these. Eyeballing works just fine. I always suggest starting with less and then mix in more to taste.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is rice cereal bad?

    I donโ€™t like to call any food โ€œbad.โ€ They all have a place and purpose. If you are struggling to get more iron into your babyโ€™s diet and in need of convenience items, then I say go for it!

    What I do encourage, however, is to not serve it every single day. Thatโ€™s because rice contains arsenic, which you want to be mindful of.ย You donโ€™t have to completely eliminate, but itโ€™s a good idea to invite other grains into the rotation, like quinoa, oats, farina, etc.

    And here's how to reduce arsenic in rice considerably.

    Can babies digest grains?

    There seems to be a lot of misinformation out there surrounding this topic. Babies CAN digest grains, and they should be introduced to these nutritious foods!

    Can I make this quinoa porridge ahead of time?

    Absolutely! Refrigerate and keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. I suggest holding off on adding the toppings until right before serving. It will make for a better textural experience for your child.ย 

    What is the best way to freeze quinoa cereal?

    I suggest making a big batch and freezing in individual portions. I like to use my freezer tray for this. Once frozen, pop out of the tray and transfer to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Will keep for up to 3 months.

    When ready to enjoy, simply thaw in the fridge overnight and combine with whatever topping(s) you fancy!

    Flavor Combination Inspirations

    four variations to the basic quinoa cereal served on separate four pink bowls.

    I say add whatever you have on hand, but if you're in need of more specific ideas and guidance, you will find lots of fun and delicious food combinations to try! 

    • Overnight oats/quinoa
    • 2 Minute oatmeal
    • Vegetable baby oatmeal
    • Chia puddings

    Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!

    four variations to the basic quinoa cereal served on separate four pink bowls.

    Easy Quinoa Baby Cereal (4 Ways)

    Making homemade baby cereal or porridge is SO easy and inexpensive! If you've only been serving rice or oat-based cereals, give this iron-rich quinoa version a try!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Min | MJ and Hungryman

    Equipment

    • Freezer Tray

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup cooked yellow quinoa (160g)
    • โ…“ cup water, broth, breastmilk/formula

    Instructions

    • Add quinoa and liquid of choice to a blender and blend until smooth. Feel free to add more liquid depending on your desired consistency.
    • Divide into ยผ cup servings and add desired toppings of choice. It's such an easy and delicious way to incorporate variety throughout the week!

    Notes

    Here are some EASY ideas for adding more variety. There's no need to measure, but here's a starting point if you need it.
    • 1 teaspoon smooth peanut butter + 1 tablespoon mashed banana + a pinch of cinnamon
    • 2 teaspoons finely chopped cooked broccoli + 1 tablespoon hummus
    • 2 teaspoons finely chopped cooked carrot and spinach +ย  a pinch of curry powder (a splash of coconut milk is delish!)
    • 1 tablespoon full-fat Greek yogurt/ricotta + 1 teaspoon finely ground nuts/seeds

    Nutrition

    Calories: 56kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine baby food
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag me @KidFriendly.Meals today!
    « Mango for Babies and Kids
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    About Min

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, Iโ€™m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

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    HI!

    I am MJ, a registered dietitian and a mom of 2. I truly hope youโ€™ll enjoy all the recipes and tips that I share on what and how to feed your child!

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