Food
Fact-checked

At DelightedCooking, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What are Quinoa Flakes?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Quinoa flakes are similar to oatmeal and are often used a breakfast and baking substitute; people looking for a gluten-free alternative to wheat often incorporate the flakes into their diet as well. It is generally recommended for the flakes are fully cooked before they are eaten. The word quinoa refers to an ancient grain native to South America that is highly nutritious and also easily digestible by most people; even though quinoa is an ancient grain, its use in North American cooking is fairly recent. The flake form of the grain is made in processing plants by squeezing the grains into flakes, which can then be purchased from most natural foods and specialty foods stores.

Appearance and Taste

Quinoa flakes are a healthy alternative to other flours and grains.
Quinoa flakes are a healthy alternative to other flours and grains.

Resembling rolled oats when uncooked, cooked quinoa flakes tend to look like wheat cereal or grits. The taste is described by many as “neutral” or not that flavorful, but others are quick to point out that this doesn't exactly mean the flakes or grain are bland — they just tend not to interfere with other flavors, much like oatmeal or wheat flour. A hot bowl of quinoa flakes can add nutritional value to a person's diet, as it does not contain any cholesterol, sodium, or gluten, but adds about 10% of the daily requirement for dietary fiber.

Recipes

Quinoa can be added to many recipes, such as salads.
Quinoa can be added to many recipes, such as salads.

Recipes for quinoa flakes aren’t typically common, but often the flake packaging will include a list of recommended uses in baked goods. In particular, muffins, breads, pancakes, and waffles can all be made healthier when the flakes are used as a substitute for white or wheat flour; many users of the flakes say the baked results are delicious and hearty. Quinoa flakes do require cooking; using the flakes as a breakfast cereal typically requires one to add the flakes to boiling water and cook them for about 90 seconds, after which the flakes should be allowed to stand for several minutes until they reach the desired thickness and consistency. When the flakes are used in recipes, however, the instructions should indicate how to properly cook them.

Quinoa flakes can be added to granola.
Quinoa flakes can be added to granola.

Many people have found quinoa flakes to be a healthy alternative to dried oats, and use them in place of oatmeal in baking recipes. Oatmeal cookies can easily become quinoa cookies, and some people testify to the more filling nature of this South American grain. The flakes can also be used in place of oatmeal when called for in fruit crisp recipes, or added to granola for additional nutrition. For more ideas with quinoa, look for recipes in cookbooks designed for people with gluten-free needs, in vegetarian and vegan cookbooks, or on the Internet.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent DelightedCooking contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent DelightedCooking contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

bluegums3

Why do you have to cook quinoa flakes? Why can't you just sprinkle them over your food?

anon307836

Any idea about storage end date? If organic, and in dry and dark storage can the nutritional value be kept a year or two years past the end date?

anon285297

Why do you say they need to be cooked? I simply add milk and eat them for breakfast with fruit, similar to how one adds milk to oats to eat Muesli.

Is there any nutritional reason why it is better to cook them? Are they similar to oats in that one should let them soak a little in milk/water if uncooked so your system can digest the nutrients better?

anon241120

I eat quinoa flakes like museli, with yogurt fruit and nuts mixed together and eat it.

anon113814

can I safely eat Quinoa if I have a mild case of diverticulosis?

anon110524

The seed is ground and flattened down into a flake. As far as I know, it keeps its original nutritional value throughout the process, as nothing is added or taken away.

anon107460

Quinoa is a tasty and wholesome whole grain. How is it turned into a flake? Is it "refined", losing some of its nutrition value?

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Quinoa flakes are a healthy alternative to other flours and grains.
      By: kjekol
      Quinoa flakes are a healthy alternative to other flours and grains.
    • Quinoa can be added to many recipes, such as salads.
      By: Stephen VanHorn
      Quinoa can be added to many recipes, such as salads.
    • Quinoa flakes can be added to granola.
      By: nito
      Quinoa flakes can be added to granola.
    • People who are looking for a gluten-free alternative to wheat may incorporate quinoa flakes into their diet.
      By: mybaitshop
      People who are looking for a gluten-free alternative to wheat may incorporate quinoa flakes into their diet.