WARNING: The following post contains images and instances of flagrant streuseling.
If you have an aversion or allergy to streusel, if you are on a streusel-restricted diet, or if your doctor has prescribed a streusel-free regime due to any type of condition such as streuselitis or a recent streuselectomy, please click away now.
Your health matters most.
For those of you who choose to continue reading, I urge you to practice safe streuseling.
Imagine it: you’re just home from school.
You’re hungry.
You’re tired.
You’re hot.
You’re in no mood for discussions of homework.
You need a snack that’s going to give you the energy to get the job done.
You’re going to ford that creek in the backyard.
You’re going to ride your bike to the nearby playground.
You’re going to catch fireflies in a jar.
Or maybe you’ll just log in to Facebook and play Xbox until your fingers fall off. Whatever.
And maybe I feel as old as dirt right now. Whatever x 2.
In any case, you need a snack that will keep you going through the hijinks.
Enter the Quinoa Streusel Muffin.
Did you know that the Incas, who first cultivated quinoa, believed it to be sacred?
I get this, because quinoa is pretty cool. But I often find that plain quinoa needs a little jazzing.
Like maybe some spice, some seasoning, or perhaps just a little -wait for it- streusel.
I cooked my quinoa up to plump, nutty perfection. No biggie. It’s simple as pie to prepare.
I whipped up a sweet batter and folded in my little Incan gems.
Things were looking good.
Streusel time.
Streuselicious.
Streuselpalooza.
Streuseltown. Population: 24 muffins and my mouth.
It’s time to get your streusel on.
Quinoa Streusel Muffins
For the quinoa:
3 c. water
1 1/2 c. quinoa
For the muffins:
2 c. dark brown sugar, tightly packed
1 c. grapeseed oil (You may substitute canola oil, vegetable oil, or any other light, flavorless oil.)
2 large eggs
3 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. milk, whole
1/2 tsp. cinnamon, ground
1/4 tsp. nutmeg, ground
For the streusel topping:
2 c. dark brown sugar, tightly packed
1 c. unsalted butter, softened
2 c. all-purpose flour
To prepare the quinoa, bring the water and quinoa to a boil in a medium saucepan. Once at a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook until tender and translucent, approximately 10-15 minutes. Once cooked, remove from heat and allow to cool.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350° and prepare the muffin batter by sifting the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
Cream the oil and sugar in a large bowl. Add the eggs, beating until just incorporated. Add the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk and beating just until a smooth, uniform batter forms. Fold in the cooled quinoa. (Please note: the instructions listed above will yield approximately 5 cups of cooked quinoa – you only need 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa for these muffins. You can store the remaining 3 1/2 cups cooked quinoa in an airtight container for future use.)
Line 24 standard-sized muffin cavities with paper liners and fill each lined cavity approximately 3/4 full with the prepared batter. Drop the filled muffin tins firmly onto a hard surface to release any air bubbles in the batter. Set the batter-filled tins aside.
Prepare the streusel topping by combining the sugar, flour and softened butter in a large bowl. Using your fingers, mash and mix the ingredients into a rough crumble. Generously top the muffin batter in each cavity with several tablespoons of streusel. Bake the muffins for 23-26 minutes or until the streusel topping is slightly crisp and golden.
YIELD: 24 muffins
Streusel Mania 2012! Woo hoo! I love this recipe! I am new to the quinoa world and have fallen madly and utterly in love with it. To put it in muffins so my daughter will eat it? PURE GENIUS!
MEAGAN these are amazing, amazing muffins. Who would put quinoa in a muffin? I added a cup of cranberries I had lying around to add some tart pizazz to them…everyone at work loved them!
Kelsey, I’m SO glad that you liked them – the cranberries were a stroke of genius! I loved seeing your pic. Thanks for reading!! Hugs, Meagan
My wife and I are big fans of quinoa and I think what you have done with it in this recipe is wonderful.
You take something as decadent as a streusel muffin and add some real nutritional value you to it by adding quinoa.
I love this!
“Streuseltown. Population: 24 muffins and my mouth.”
Hahahahahahahahaha!
Great idea as I love a good streusel muffin, must try this.
These were delicious!! I halved the streusel topping (I cannot use two sticks of butter just in a topping – I get nauseous when I watch Paula Deen) and they were still streuselly good!!
Now that is a brilliant idea!!
Okay, that does it! You just became my new BFF! Those look awesome!
I shop at Costco. I just bought quinoa there. You know what that means, right? I need a LOT of quinoa recipes and this is so unique and different. I am grateful.
How convenient!!! I just happen to have approximately 2 cups of cooked quinoa in the refrigerator, leftover from BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad from dinner last night. My hubby has been obsessed with this grain ever since we got back from a vacation in Peru this spring. Haven’t tried quinoa in something sweet yet, but I can tell this will be great!
Ohh! Look at those close up muffin! very tempting!!
send me one scarlet! Haha ha!
I never do something with quinoa before, I think it’s time for me to try the adventure since ur photos is tempting me
Tq for the recipe scarlet!
I could have sworn I already commented on how great these are, but I guess my comment didn’t go through. I picked up a bag of quinoa the last time I was at the market after I saw these. They look so great!
I stopped by again to tell you that I gave you a blog award! Check it out!
http://momdecuisine.wordpress.com/2011/09/12/mexi-monday-spicy-orange-churros/
Thank you so much, Alyssa!!
I agree. Plain quinoa leaves something to be desired. Like streusel. What a great idea!
I guess you intend for bloggers to use the recipes, since you make the effort to include them in your blog. Is there some way to print them without printing all the pages that include the comments? Thank you, Laura
Hi Laura! If you click on the ‘Print Friendly’ icon just below the post that you wish to print on the index/home page of my blog, you can customize your print job to make it less lengthy. For example, you can omit the images and any portion of the blog post that you would like (the comments are automatically excluded). I hope this helps!
Hahaha, you’re freaking hilarious! I love quinoa! I love this post! I love these muffins! I’m subscribing!!
Love this idea of quinoa in muffins! Any way to make me feel like my baked treats are healthier is great for me! Thanks for the idea!
I’ve never put quinoa in muffins before. Will def have to try!
Adorable- very cute and charming post. congrats on top 9 too!
What a great idea to use quinoa! I can’t wait to try.
As soon as I saw the photo, I knew it was from Scarlette Bakes! Congrats on yet another Top 9 (actually, Top 1). Great idea to use quinoa in muffins.
I haven’t seen anything so perfect..looks fantastic and so tasty! Great recipe and of course mouthwatering pictures!
MMM mmm mmm! Never baked with quinoa! Sounds divine.
xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.com/
I never would’ve thought to put quinoa on streusel muffins. This is such a wonderful recipe. As always your photos are stunning. Thanks so much for sharing, congrats on making top 9 today! =]
I’m prepared to streusel … dammit, I fully intend to….love love quinoa (even plain). These are fabulous!! Buzzed you. Congrats on Top 9…totally deserved!!
Intent to streusel…guilty. Delicious? Guilty as charged. Fantastic! I love this idea and the recipe looks perfect!
I have leftover quinoa.. and this looks PERFECT.
Thank you for this beautiful recipe!
Streuselicious.
Streuselpalooza.
best words of the day! I’ll have a bit of both
these look amazing. Inca would be proud. mmmm quinoa
lovely shots
What a great idea! I have tons of quinoa in my pantry right now begging for a re-make. Bookmarked!
I love everything streusel. The quinoa addition is so creative.
Wow – I’m so grateful I’m not on a streusel-free diet! These are fabulous!
Such a beautiful, crumbly texture. The ups and downs, nooks and crannys just call out to be eaten! This is a culinary achievement.
Love the idea of adding quinoa to muffins, brilliant! I need to find time to make these soon.
These rock! That streusel on top totally has me drooling!
LOOOVEE streusel!! These muffins look amazing and what a great idea adding quinoa!
Two things. 1 – It may have lots of streusel, but it has quinoa, so doesn’t that make it all better? 2 – you used Quinoa in a muffin – so cool!
Exactly – the streusel balances out the quinoa. You feel me!
Brilliant idea! Quinoa’s loaded with protein. And I loooove streusel!
Those look terrific. With only a few changes, you could make them Gluten Free!
I love the use of quinoa. A great boost in protein.
I love the idea of making these muffins gluten free!
Oh I love this. Thank you for thinking of this! I think I am making this on Sunday!!
Ok #1 – you are hilarious! #2 I just found you via Twitter and am your new biggest fan and #3 these muffins look OUTSTREUSALAGEOUS! And yes, I’ll be making them today. Just awesome!
Heather
Quinoa has always scared me a little bit…there are a lot of recipes that seem bland and yicky that have it in there…but THESE. THESE look fantastic. How can you go wrong when streusel is involved? This just might take me from bring a quinoa virgin to…not being a quinoa virgin.
You are too much, Meagan! What a fantastic post and amazing photos. You are A-1! And I’ve got to try these muffins!