Stack of healthy quinoa breakfast cookies with seeds and oats

When mornings are too rushed to make a wholesome breakfast (we get it!), enter seedy quinoa breakfast cookies! These chewy, satisfying, lightly sweetened cookies feature whole grains and nutrient-packed seeds to keep you nourished on the go. 

Nut-free and meal prep-friendly, these tasty cookies are perfect for school lunches, snacks, or any time you’re too rushed to make breakfast! Just 1 bowl and 25 minutes required. Let us show you how!

Chocolate chips, hemp seeds, rolled oats, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, tahini, salt, chia seeds, and baking soda

These breakfast cookies are seriously breakfast-worthy! Why? Because they’re packed with 5 grams of protein per cookie, rich in minerals (hello, magnesium!), and sweetened with just a touch of maple syrup.

Plus, there’s no flour in sight, just a base of whole grains + seeds: QUINOA, oats, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, and chia seeds! And instead of butter, they rely on tahini (sesame seed paste) for total seedy perfection.

Pouring maple syrup into a bowl with quinoa, nuts, seeds, tahini, and chocolate chips

Making these cookies is also seriously simple, especially when you’ve got leftover quinoa around that needs to be used up right away! Simply stir everything together, shape the dough into balls, flatten slightly, and bake.

Breakfast cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet

After baking, your cookies will be golden brown on the outside and tender and chewy on the inside.

Overhead shot of freshly baked quinoa breakfast cookies

We think you’ll LOVE these quinoa breakfast cookies! They’re:

Satisfying
Wholesome
Lightly sweetened
Easy to make
Vegan + gluten-free
& SO delicious!

Enjoy them any time you need a quick grab-and-go breakfast or snack or are craving a more wholesome cookie. And because they’re nut-free, they’re the perfect treat to pack in lunch boxes!

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!

Close-up shot of seeds around quinoa breakfast cookies

Note: recipe updated 9/15/23 to address reader issues. Cooking time was increased from 13-15 minutes to 14-18 minutes.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 12 (Cookies)

Course Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine Gluten-Free, Vegan

Freezer Friendly 1 month

Does it keep? 2-3 Days

Prevent your screen from going dark

  • 2/3 cup cooked quinoa (measured after cooking)
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats (ensure gluten-free as needed)
  • 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds (unsalted)
  • 2 Tbsp hemp seeds (hulled)
  • 2 Tbsp chia seeds
  • 1/2 cup tahini (creamy, drippy // find our tahini review here)
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup*
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips (optional // ensure dairy-free as needed)
  • If you do not already have cooked quinoa, prepare it at this time in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop — scant 1/4 cup uncooked quinoa will yield ~2/3 cup (124 g) cooked.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

  • To a medium mixing bowl, add 2/3 cup (124 g) cooked quinoa (adjust amount if altering default number of servings). Then add the rolled oats, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, and chia seeds and stir well to combine. Next, add tahini, maple syrup, baking soda, sea salt, and optional chocolate chips. Stir well to fully incorporate.

  • Scoop out dough in 1 ½ Tbsp amounts (we like using this scoop) and place on the prepared baking sheet — recipe as written should make 12 cookies. You can place them close together as they don’t expand. Gently press them with the palm of your hand then bake for 14-18 minutes until the edges are golden brown. Let cookies cool for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely – they’ll firm up as they cool.
  • Leftover cookies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days or freezer for 1 month or longer.

Serving: 1 cookie Calories: 157 Carbohydrates: 11.5 g Protein: 5 g Fat: 11.2 g Saturated Fat: 1.6 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 5 g Monounsaturated Fat: 4.1 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 83 mg Potassium: 137 mg Fiber: 2.9 g Sugar: 4.3 g Vitamin A: 2 IU Vitamin C: 0 mg Calcium: 30 mg Iron: 1.7 mg