The radio suddenly started playing softly. It was totally weird because it was our clock radio. Neither one of us had set the alarm. If we had, it would have blared music like loud concert. For some unknown reason and right at 6:08am we were awakened by the faint sound of Eric Clapton singing Pretending. Then a minute later it stopped. I got out of bed, brewed coffee, and sat down to write this post about Maple Walnut Quinoa Quick Bread.
Things must happen for a reason. I was having writers block for days. Nothing came to mind as I stared at the screen. Then a crazy radio gave the spark to write. The same goes for this bread. Had it not been for Bread Bakers and our monthly theme, I would have never baked with quinoa flour. The theme is simply quinoa and at first I thought throwing in some toasted quinoa to a yeast wheat bread might be the way to go. I also had amaranth in the pantry and my thoughts went toward a multigrain.
Cookbooks were scoured for a good base recipe. I did not find what I was looking for in any of my bread books. Then I glanced over and saw the 500 Best Quinoa Recipes book. What does that book have in it? A whole chapter of bread. Awesome. This loaf is the result of a slight adaption to one of the recipes. (The link to the book is an Amazon affiliate link).
How is the maple walnut quinoa quick bread? It is very quinoa-y. This is the bread for you if you love quinoa. There is no mistake whatsoever in the flavor. There is a slight sweetness from maple syrup and a double crunch of toasted quinoa and walnuts. The top sparkles with turbinado sugar. I suggest slicing it thin, lightly toasting it, and serving it with maple butter or plain butter and jam.
Music and bread started my day. I’m wondering what is in store for the rest of the week. What I do know is there are links to a bunch of quinoa bread below. It’s interesting to see all the varieties. The Bread Bakers always have such wonderful recipes to share. Oh, and for something related to the theme check out Peanut Butter and Quinoa Granola for tasty homemade snack.

Maple Walnut Quinoa Quick Bread
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
- 2 cups quinoa flour
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt low-fat recommended, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8- X 4-inch loaf pan (heavy aluminum loaf pan recommended).
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Toast the quinoa in a dry skillet over medium-high heat until it is lightly golden in color and just begins to pop. Transfer to a plate and cool to room temperature.
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Whisk together toasted quinoa, quinoa flour, walnuts, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
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Whisk together eggs, yogurt, oil, and syrup in a medium bowl until combined.
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Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Spread batter evenly in prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle sugar on top.
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Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until top is lightly browned and a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
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Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove bread from pan and cool completely on a wire rack. You may need to use a knife to loosen the edges of the bread from the pan due to the sugar causing it to stick.
Recipe Notes
Maple Walnut Quinoa Quick Bread is made with both toasted quinoa and quinoa flour. It is lightly sweetened with maple syrup and loaded with walnuts.
It’s another fun theme for Bread Bakers! Be sure to check out these quinoa bread recipes and get ready to do some baking:
- Eggnog Cranberry & White Chocolate Quickbread by Laura at Baking in Pyjamas
- Garlic Multigrain Bread by Kelly at Passion Kneaded
- Maple Walnut Quinoa Quick Bread by Renee at Magnolia Days
- Mocha Porter Quinoa Loaf by Stacy at Food Lust People Love
- No Knead Quinoa Bread by Karen at Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Pan de Quinoa y Miel by Camilla at Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Quinoa and Millet Bread by Anshie at Spiceroots
- Quinoa Apple Muffins by Robin at A Shaggy Dough Story
- Quinoa Poolish Baguettes by Adam at Bakers and Best
- Quinoa Oatmeal Bread by Cindy at Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Quinoa Pumpkin Muffins by Kathya at Basic N Delicious
- Red Quinoa Sourdough Bread by Sophie at Sweet Cinnamon & Honey
What is Bread Bakers? It’s a group of bread loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bread with a common ingredient or theme. You can see all our of lovely bread by following our Bread Bakers Pinterest Board. Links are also updated after each event on the Bread Bakers home page.
How is the monthly theme determined? We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient.
Would you like to join in the fun? If you are a food blogger, send an email with your blog name and url to Stacy at [email protected].
Kelster says
Very quinoa-y. Hmm. I need to get a bag of quinoa flour and test it in a few recipes. Lovely loaf!
Stacy says
That crunchy sugar topping is absolutely wonderful, Renee! I don’t know why I don’t think to sprinkle on sugar more often. I love the way it sparkles.
Ansh says
I love all things Quinoa and this is a bread I would love to wake up to!! Beautiful and so flavorful!
Adam says
I like the idea of adding other flavors to complement the quinoa. I think one of the things that caught me offguard about using quinoa flour was how strong a taste it gave even using such a small percentage. I still have some left over so I think I’ll try another type of loaf with more add ins like yours.
Mireille says
wow – with both toasted quinoa and quinoa flour you really embraced the theme wholeheartedly. I hope you liked the theme
and so sorry for the mixup about the html code – thx for taking over as host though unplanned
Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories says
There’s a ghost in your house! Your bread is beautiful, and you certainly went all in with the quinoa. Maple butter sounds perfect to go with this!
[email protected] in Pyjamas says
I’d of never baked with quinoa if it wasn’t for this theme too. I could eat a slice or two of this loaf right now, it sounds wonderful!
Linda | Brunch with joy says
Aww this quinoa bread looks stunning! I’ve only tried once and fell in love with it. Maple walnut quinoa bread sounds so toasty for breakfast.
Sophie says
Beautiful loaf! 🙂 Looks delicious! I do looove quinoa, so I think I’d have to love your bread.
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
Maple butter sounds wonderful with this bread!
Robin @ A Shaggy Dough Story says
Quinoa flour AND quinoa? Wow, you dove right into the deep end of the pool. Gutsy! Looks like a beautiful loaf, especially with the addition of the turbinado sugar (I’d add it to everything if I could–LOVE!) And I’ll definitely be checking out that book, thanks for the recommendation.
Anita at Hungry Couple says
I do like quinoa and this looks very interesting. Putting this in the save pile!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
wow this bread is so creative and unique! It looks delicious
Lee R says
Can i use cooked quinoa to make this?
Katie Moseman says
The uncooked whole quinoa is meant to be toasted until crunchy, so if you use cooked quinoa, you would probably get a squishier result. I’m not saying it wouldn’t work at all, but it would definitely yield a different result.