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    Home » Paayasam/Kheer » Quinoa Kheer | Quinoa Pudding

    Quinoa Kheer | Quinoa Pudding

    Posted on September 20, 2020 · Last Updated on October 29, 2022 · By Srividhya G · 10 Comments

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    quinoa kheer served in glass jars placed on a red mat with text overlay for pinterest

    Simple kheer or payasam with quinoa! 

    Replace rice or vermicelli with quinoa and make this delicious South Asian dessert – gluten-free quinoa kheer or pudding.

    quinoa kheer in a glass bowl with spoonful of kheer

    When we think about quinoa recipes, we always think salads, soups, stews. Being a South Indian, I make rasam rice and sambar rice with quinoa as well. Mostly we think only savory recipes. 

    I know with quinoa flour, you can make baked goodies and sweets. I have quinoa flour puttu, quinoa flour cookies, and laddu as well. But I don’t have any sweet recipes with quinoa. 

    Instead of a savory recipe with quinoa, I decided to share a sweet recipe, and it’s the simple pudding. It’s like any other Indian kheer recipe like rice kheer or tapioca pearl kheer or the vermicelli kheer. I used quinoa instead of rice/tapioca/vermicelli, that’s about it. 

    The main ingredients required for this kheer are quinoa, milk, sugar, condensed milk, and flavoring agents. I used cardamom, cloves, and saffron. But you can use whatever you have in hand.

    Reduced-Fat Milk or Whole Milk-

    I used reduced-fat milk for this recipe and also cooked quinoa in water. But the sweetened condensed milk compensated and made the kheer rich and creamy. 

    You can use whole milk or reduced-fat milk. Also, instead of cooking quinoa with water, you can cook with milk. The cooking time might vary, though.  

    quinoa kheer in a small glass jar placed on a wooden coasters

    Vegan Version-

    I haven’t tested the vegan version of this recipe. But I am sure you can prepare the pudding with coconut milk and sweeten it with coconut sugar or maple syrup. 

    How to make quinoa kheer-

    soaking the quinoa
    • Rinse the quinoa thoroughly and soak it one cup of water for 30 to 45 minutes. It speeds up the cooking process. 
    quinoa kheer steps
    • In a saucepan, add the drained quinoa and one more cup of water and cook until the quinoa turns soft and tender. We don’t want it to be mushy. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes, depending upon the quality and variety. You can also cook quinoa in a pressure cooker or Instant Pot. If needed, add ½ more cup of water while cooking quinoa.
    • When quinoa is soft, add the sugar and allow it to dissolve. When the sugar is all dissolved, add the milk and condensed milk. Ensure the condensed milk is blended nicely. 
    • Let it cook over medium-low heat for 4 minutes.
    • Now add all the flavoring ingredients – cardamom, cloves, edible camphor, and saffron strands. Crush the cardamom and cloves before adding.
    • Now let this kheer simmer over medium-low heat for 5 to 7 minutes and then turn off the heat. Serve warm. 
    quinoa kheer in a small glass jar with a spoon full of kheerplaced on a wooden coasters

    Recipe Notes-

    • I did not include any nuts or dry fruits. You can roast 1 to 2 tbsps of cashews and raisins in 2 tsps of ghee and add it to the kheer. 
    • You can add more sugar, skip condensed milk, add more condensed milk, and reduce the sugar. Adjust the sugar as per your preference.
    • As the kheer cools, quinoa absorbs the milk and thickens slightly but not like the vermicelli kheer. 
    • If you want a thick pudding, reduce the milk to 1.5 or 2 cups.
    • Instead of reduced-fat milk, you can use whole milk and cook the quinoa with milk, as mentioned in the post. 
    • If you are not a big fan of quinoa, you can also check out how to make paal payasam which is with rice or other kheer recipes on my blog.

    PS: Follow me on Instagram or join my Facebook Group for more gardening and recipe updates. If you try this quinoa kheer recipe, please don’t forget to comment and rate this recipe. If you have any questions, please leave a comment, and I will get to it asap.  Make sure to follow me on my Pinterest for more healthy and delicious ideas!

    quinoa kheer in a small glass jar placed on a wooden coasters
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    5 from 5 votes

    Quinoa Kheer | Quinoa Pudding

    Simple kheer or payasam with quinoa! Replace rice or vermicelli with quinoa and make this delicious South Asian dessert – gluten-free quinoa kheer or pudding.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Soaking Time30 mins
    Total Time1 hr 5 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 234kcal
    Author: Srividhya G

    Equipment

    • saucepan

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup quinoa
    • 2 cups water divided, plus more if needed
    • ¾ cup sugar
    • ⅓ cup condensed milk
    • 2.5 cups milk I used 2% reduced-fat milk
    • 2 green cardamom
    • 4 cloves
    • a small piece of edible camphor optional
    • ½ tsp saffron

    Instructions

    • Rinse the quinoa thoroughly and soak it one cup of water for 30 to 45 minutes. It speeds up the cooking process.
    • In a saucepan, add the drained quinoa and one more cup of water and cook until the quinoa turns soft and tender. We don’t want it to be mushy. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes, depending upon the quality and variety. You can also cook quinoa in a pressure cooker or Instant Pot. If needed, add ½ more cup of water while cooking quinoa.
    • When quinoa is soft, add the sugar and allow it to dissolve. When the sugar is all dissolved, add the milk and condensed milk. Ensure the condensed milk is blended nicely.
    • Let it cook over medium-low heat for 4 minutes.
    • Now add all the flavoring ingredients – cardamom, cloves, edible camphor, and saffron strands. Crush the cardamom and cloves before adding.
    • Now let this kheer simmer over medium-low heat for 5 to 7 minutes and then turn off the heat. Serve warm.

    Notes

    • I did not include any nuts or dry fruits. You can roast 1 to 2 tbsps of cashews and raisins in 2 tsps of ghee and add it to the kheer.
    • You can add more sugar, skip condensed milk, add more condensed milk, and reduce the sugar. Adjust the sugar as per your preference.
    • As the kheer cools, quinoa absorbs the milk and thickens slightly but not like the vermicelli kheer. If you want a thick pudding, reduce the milk to 1.5 or 2 cups.
    • Instead of reduced-fat milk, you can use whole milk and cook the quinoa with milk, as mentioned in the post.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 71mg | Potassium: 231mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 210IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 171mg | Iron: 1mg

    I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @vidhyasvegetariankitchen or tag #vidhyasvegkitchen
    For Video RecipesCheck out My YouTube Channel

    Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM#116

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    Filed Under: Paayasam/Kheer Tagged With: Blogging Marathon

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. NARMADHA says

      November 24, 2020 at 9:48 am

      5 stars
      Quinoa kheer looks so creamy and inviting. If you pass the bowl to me I will enjoy it happily. Condensed milk makes it more exotic.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        November 24, 2020 at 11:59 am

        I wish I could send it.

        Reply
    2. Renu says

      October 16, 2020 at 12:37 pm

      5 stars
      You are so right Srividhya, when we think of quinoa we generally think of salads etc. I liked this kheer and the different quinoa recipes you have shared here.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        October 19, 2020 at 12:07 pm

        :-) Thank you

        Reply
    3. Sharmila Kingsly says

      September 24, 2020 at 3:33 am

      I don’t mind having Quinoa if I am treated like this.. This is one awesome Kheer!!

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        September 24, 2020 at 2:04 pm

        Thanks much. :-)

        Reply
    4. Srivalli Jetti says

      September 20, 2020 at 10:28 pm

      That glass looks stunning Srividhya, loved how well the kheer has turned out..

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        September 21, 2020 at 10:50 am

        Thanks a lot Valli

        Reply
    5. Harini Rupanagudi says

      September 20, 2020 at 5:11 pm

      Good one and sweet lovers like me can finish off the payasam in a jiffy :)

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        September 21, 2020 at 10:51 am

        ha ha thanks. :-)

        Reply

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