Banana Quinoa Porridge: Tiny Tummies' Delight!
A creamy and nutritious porridge made with quinoa and sweet banana, perfect for introducing new flavors and textures to your little one.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup quinoa, rinsed well
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup milk (breast milk, formula, or whole milk) or additional water
- 1 small ripe banana, mashed
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon unsalted butter or coconut oil
Instructions
Thoroughly rinse the quinoa under cold water in a fine-mesh sieve. This removes any bitter coating.
In a small saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and 1 cup of water.
Add the butter (or coconut oil) to the saucepan.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for 12-15 minutes.
Check the quinoa periodically. It's ready when the grains are soft and the little 'tails' have unfurled. If the pan gets dry before the quinoa is cooked, add a little more water.
Once the quinoa is tender, stir in the milk (or additional water), mashed banana, and cinnamon.
Continue to cook on low heat for 2-3 more minutes, stirring frequently.
Stir until the mixture reaches a creamy, porridge-like consistency. Mash any remaining small banana pieces to incorporate them fully.
Turn off the heat.
Stir in the remaining teaspoon of butter (or coconut oil) to add richness and healthy fats.
Let the porridge cool to a safe temperature before serving to your little one.
The texture will be slightly more textured than oatmeal. If your toddler is new to quinoa, you can pulse the cooked porridge with an immersion blender to make it smoother.
Serve warm. You can also mix in a spoonful of yogurt on top for extra creaminess (optional).
Safety Notes
- Adult supervision required for all cooking steps.
- Ensure porridge is cooled to a safe temperature before serving to prevent burns.
- Check for any allergic reactions when introducing new foods.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 120 kcal per serving
Protein: 4g
Carbs: 20g
Fat: 3g