This vibrant quinoa salad is a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors. The tender quinoa, crisp apples, and crunchy nuts are perfectly complemented by the warm spices and subtly sweet cinnamon-honey dressing. It's a healthy and refreshing dish that's ideal for a light lunch, a side dish at a dinner party, or a satisfying snack any time of day. I love making this when I have friends over—it's a total crowd-pleaser!
The recipe is incredibly easy to follow, even for beginner cooks. It requires minimal ingredients and equipment, making it a perfect option for busy weeknights. I've even tweaked this a few times; once, my friend suggested adding some feta cheese, and the result was heavenly! You can totally experiment and make it your own!
Required Equipments
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Serving bowl
Quinoa-Salad-with-Apples-and-a-Cinnamon-Honey-Dressing
A delicious and healthy quinoa salad with apples, nuts, and a warm cinnamon-honey dressing. Easy to make and perfect for any occasion!
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield: 2 servings
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
- First, cook the quinoa: Bring 1 ½ cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add 1 cup of quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool completely. Don't rush this; properly cooked quinoa is key!
- Next, prepare the apples: Wash and chop 2 medium apples (I prefer Gala, but it's your choice!) into bite-sized pieces. Immediately toss them with the juice of ½ a lemon to prevent browning. This is a simple but crucial step!
- Now, make the magic dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Adjust to your taste, maybe add a little more cinnamon if you're feeling spicy!
- Time to assemble: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, chopped apples, and your choice of nuts and seeds (I used about ½ cup of chopped walnuts and pepitas; yum!). Gently fold in the cinnamon-honey dressing, making sure everything is well coated. Try not to overmix—a little bit of texture is always nice!
- Finally, chill and serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This step really makes a difference; trust me! Serve chilled and enjoy! Maybe add a sprinkle of extra cinnamon on top before serving—it looks pretty!
📝 Notes
- Make sure to rinse the quinoa before cooking. This helps to remove any saponins, which can cause bitterness.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of honey and cinnamon to your liking. If you prefer a sweeter dressing, add more honey. If you want a stronger cinnamon flavor, add more cinnamon. Experiment and find your perfect blend!
🍎 Nutrition
Calories: 350 kcal
Protein: 8 g
Fat: 15 g
Carbohydrates: 60 g
Fiber: 8 g
Calcium: 20 mg
