Quinoa flakes. Do you use them? Do they scare you? Are you unsure what they even are? Let's chat.

These little flakes are definitely one of my favorite ingredients on earth. I use them all the time and even take me with them when I travel. But quinoa flakes can also be tricky to find. And once you do end up finding a box, there's a good chance you might be at a loss at what to do with them.

If you've been following here for a while then I'm sure you know how much I adore quinoa flakes. I sprinkle them into my recipes pretty much whenever I can, but it happens to be one of the ingredients I get the most questions about. So today, we're talking all things quinoa flakes.

What are quinoa flakes?

I like to describe quinoa flakes as the rolled oats version quinoa. Essentially they're just the whole quinoa seed that has been flattened into flakes using a grain flaker.

Where can I find quinoa flakes?

1. At the supermarket. This is the question I get most often. Quinoa flakes can be hard to find, especially if you live in a place that doesn't have a lot of grocery stores or natural health markets. When you're looking for quinoa flakes in the supermarket (FYI this is for people in the US), head to either the cereal aisle, the gluten-free aisle or the baking aisle. If you have a Whole Foods near you, they'll be in the cereal aisle.

The box is pretty unmistakable, but the name might throw you off. I almost always see Ancient Harvest in stores (they're actually the only brand I've ever seen) so keep your eyes peeled for a box that looks like this – turquoise, medium sized and says, “hot cereal flakes” on the front. (pic below)

2. Online. If you can't find quinoa flakes at your local grocery or health food store, you can always find them online. Depending on where you live, I recommend Amazon.com. They always have them in stock, they sell Ancient Harvest (which is a brand I know and trust) and if you're signed up for prime, they'll be shipped to your door in two days. I also think buying them in bulk, like with this 3-pack is the way to go – it will end up saving you a few dollars per box!

What can I substitute for quinoa flakes?

This is a tricky one because it really depends on what recipe you're making. If you're going with something basic – like hot cereal – you can use quick oats to replace the quinoa flakes. If the quinoa flakes are being used for structure or texture, you're going to have to play around a little bit. I know that might not sound like the best suggestion, but there isn't anything else that behaves exactly like quinoa flakes, so just like anything else it can be a trial and error period 🙂 I'll make some suggestions with the recipes that I share below.

What can I make with quinoa flakes?

And now to the fun part: RECIPES! Just to show you how versatile quinoa flakes can be, I've pulled together a bunch of my favorite ways to use them.

Instant Hot Cereal

Why it works: quinoa flakes cook in under 90 seconds and make the most amazing, creamy hot cereals. They have a smoother texture than oats – almost like a cross between cream of wheat and oatmeal, but have a mild flavor so you can really jazz them up how ever you please.

Recipes: Blueberry Quinoa Flakes (pictured), Pumpkin Pie Quinoa Flakes

Breakfast Cookies

Why it works: quinoa flakes give breakfast cookies a nice kick of protein without compromising the flavor or texture. I love adding them to my cookies because they make them light and fluffy, while locking in all the amazing nutrients that quinoa has.

Recipes: Carrot Cake Quinoa Breakfast Cookies, Zucchini Bread Quinoa Breakfast Cookies (pictured), Pumpkin Pie Quinoa Breakfast Cookies

Granola

Why it works: this is one of my favorite way to use quinoa flakes because of how crunchy and clustery it makes the granola. Because quinoa flakes are softer and more delicate than oats, they help to bring together ingredients and create gorgeous granola clusters.

Recipes: Oatmeal Cookie Quinoa Granola (pictured), Coconut Oil Quinoa Granola

Overnight Cereal

Why it works: unlike oats, quinoa flakes are much softer and end up getting even more tender when they sit overnight. They can be a little bitter though, so I like to combine them with oats and some sweeteners or fruit. They also add extra protein to your morning meal which is always a plus!

Recipes: Mango Overnight Quinoa Parfait, Strawberry + Coconut Overnight Oats (pictured), High Protein Chia Pudding

No Bake Treats

Why it works: quinoa flakes act not only as a binder, but they also lighten up no-bake treats. I sometimes feel like no-bake treats can be very nut-heavy and too much for me, that's why I love adding in quinoa flakes. They add texture without compromising taste or flavor!

Recipes: No-Bake Chocolate Quinoa Cookies (pictured), Muesli + Quinoa Energy Bites

Granola Bars

Why it works: just like with granola, I love swapping out some of the oats in granola bars which makes them a little softer, but also adds lots more nutrients. You can do this with both no-bake granola bars and also the baked variety!

Recipes: 5-ingredient Quinoa Granola Bars (pictured), Almond + Coconut Quinoa Granola Bars

Crisps + Crumbles

Why it works: another recipe where we tend to use oats, quinoa flakes are a great substitution (or addition) to a crisp/crumble topping. It helps create lovely little clusters of crunchy goodness on top of bubbly fruit or berries.

Recipes: Gluten-Free Apple Crisp (from Gluten-Free Goddess)

Pancakes

Why it works: because quinoa flakes are so light and fluffy, they're a great ingredient to add to your morning pancakes to make them extra healthy and delicious. I almost always add some, even if just a sprinkle, since I notice my pancakes get much more moist and fluffy.

Recipes: Vegan Cinnamon Oatmeal Quinoa Pancakes (pictured), Simple Banana Pancakes

Muffins + Scones

Why it works: you might be noticing a theme here – quinoa flakes go well in most baked goods. Muffins and scones happen to be one of my favorites though. I really love hearty muffins, but adding rolled oats can sometimes weigh them down. That's where quinoa flakes come in. They add just a hint of texture, while not making the muffins (or scones) heavy or gummy.

Recipes: Skinny Pumpkin Muffins, Butternut Squash + Sage Scones (pictured from my cookbook)

Crackers

Why it works: this isn't something I have done frequently, but my recipes for peanut butter quinoa crackers is amazing. They're super easy to make, the quinoa flakes make them a hearty and more protein-rich snack and it doesn't feel like you're biting into something with actual flakes (like oatmeal).

Recipes: Peanut Butter Quinoa Crackers with Homemade Nutella

This post was sponsored by Ancient Harvest, but all opinions are my own. I only share brands that I am passionate about, so thank you so much for supporting them! Learn more about Ancient Harvest on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.