This little-known seed has begun trending for a reason, it’s amazing! High in fiber, full of protein, and rich in minerals, amaranth is very nutritious. But what is amaranth? I’m so happy you asked! It’s an ancient pseudo-cereal gifted to us by the Aztecs. It’s a stellar substitute for quinoa, rice, and flour, making it highly versatile. Use it to make all your favorite sweets to make them gluten-free. It’s also excellent in pancakes, buddha bowls, and even tabbouleh. No matter what you prefer, there’s an amaranth recipe here for every meal of the day.
1. Creamy Amaranth Porridge
If you’re looking for a protein-rich porridge recipe to start your day, try amaranth porridge. A hearty bowl is a great way to power up for a busy day while also fighting off the morning chill. The amaranth is nutty, a little chewy, and full of plant-based protein. Cook it with your milk of choice to make it creamier and pile on the toppings. Nuts, fresh fruit, and chia seeds are my top recommendations.
2. Millet Amaranth Buddha Bowls
What I love about buddha bowls is they’re super healthy and you can customize them to suit your cravings. When you get a craving for Asian food, make yourself a bowl of this. You’ll swap out rice for a blend of curry spiced millet and amaranth. For the fillings, add tofu, broccoli, kale, avocado, and pine nuts. Now comes the best part, the miso tahini sauce!
3. Gluten-Free Savory Amaranth Waffles
Savory waffles lovers will want to get a bite of this! Crispy, nutty, and wholesome amaranth waffles are just waiting for savory toppings. Doctor them up with a fried egg or make it a poached one so the runny yolk oozes all over. For a fresh touch, finish it off with a light pear fennel arugula salad. I think brunch is now in order, don’t you?
4. Easy Amaranth Pancakes
Tired of that guilty weighted-down feeling you get after a high stack of flapjacks? Make them gluten-free instead. Amaranth is a fantastic alternative to all-purpose flour. It’s also full of protein and has a nice earthy flavor. Like all pancakes, a little bit of baking soda helps to make them super fluffy.
5. Gluten-Free Amaranth Tortillas
These tortillas are reason alone to whip up tacos today! They’re gluten-free, nutritious, and surprisingly easy to make. You need four types of flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and a glug of olive oil. Working in batches, you toss them on a hot griddle until they start to brown. Now, it’s taco time! You can fill them with your favorite fixings or try this breakfast taco recipe. Between the black beans, poached eggs, and fresh veggies, all the flavors are on point!
6. Amaranth Granola
Store-bought granola tends to have a ton of sugar. That’s why I prefer homemade amaranth granola. It’s naturally sweetened with maple syrup and seasoned with a hint of cinnamon. It’s also super rich in protein and antioxidants thanks to all the nuts and seeds. Add it to some Greek yogurt or pour in nut milk. The granola itself only takes about 20 minutes so breakfast isn’t far away.
7. Amaranth Tikki
These savory Indian patties are part potato cake and part amaranth. They have a wonderful texture and the process is very straightforward. All you do is combine grated potatoes with amaranth, yogurt, and green chili paste. Then, pan-fry them until they’re golden brown.
8. Chocolate Puffed Amaranth Bars
You can also use amaranth to make high-protein desserts like these chocolate bars. Each bar features an array of wholesome ingredients. This includes pumpkin seeds, dates, dried cranberries, and puffed amaranth. Oh, and they’re coated with melted chocolate, too. They’re naturally sweetened, gluten-free, vegan, and best of all, no-bake!
9. Vegan Amaranth Protein Muffins
Gluten-free, oil-free, and vegan, these guilt-free muffins are the baked goods you can finally feel good eating. They’re packing a powerhouse of plant-based protein, including amaranth, chia seeds, and protein powder. They also have sweet little bites of dried fruit.
10. Protein Power Lentils and Amaranth Patties
These plant-based patties are excellent for healthy weeknight dinners. Between the red lentils and the amaranth, they are jam-packed with protein. You can turn them into a burger piled high with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. I also like to pair them with a side salad and roasted potatoes for a well-rounded meal.
11. Amaranth Spice Cookies
These spiced cookies are perfect for the holidays. The warming spice blend tastes just like Christmas. Since they’re made with amaranth flour, you won’t have to feel too guilty when you gorge yourself on these sweets. Speaking of sweets, you can adjust the quantity of sugar to make them even more healthy.
12. Tabouli with Amaranth Grain
I never would have thought to make tabouli out of amaranth until I came across this recipe. Now, I do it all the time! Nutty and chewy amaranth is a great replacement for bulgur. It adds more substance to this dish without making it too heavy. Light, fresh, and zesty, amaranth tabouli is the make-ahead side dish you’ll want to pair with all your grilled proteins.
13. Multigrain Porridge
Another hearty way to do porridge is to add numerous grains. Oats, amaranth, and farro make it very filling. Cinnamon and maple syrup are all you need to flavor it up. Of course, you can add a handful of toppings like blueberries and nuts. A dollop of almond butter also tastes great.
14. Dark Chocolate Amaranth Bars (6 Ingredients!)
Finally, there’s a tasty bar out there to ditch store-bought protein bars once and for all. These six-ingredient bars satisfy your sweet tooth while giving you a boost of energy. Pop the amaranth first to make those little seeds airy. Then, meld it with melted dark chocolate, almond butter, and vanilla. They keep well in the fridge for a couple of weeks. But I doubt they’ll last that long!
15. Peanut Butter Parfait with Amaranth
I’m a sucker for creamy parfaits recipes that taste like dessert but are super healthy. So you can imagine my delight when I stumbled upon this recipe. This parfait calls for four ingredients for an immaculate bite. You mix puffed amaranth with peanut butter, then layer it in a jar with Greek yogurt and fruit. It takes no time at all, making it an easy dessert and quick breakfast alike.
16. Amaranth Flour Tortillas with Avocados
Give your flour tortillas a healthy spin with amaranth and avocados. The list of ingredients is very simple and you can have a batch ready in under 30 minutes. These flour tortillas are so good, you won’t even need the fillings. Although, I wouldn’t mind turning them into a gooey quesadilla with a side of salsa and guacamole.
17. Baked Amaranth Pudding
This is not your run-of-the-mill instant pudding. Oh no my friends, it’s far better than that! It’s a rustic dessert that’s decadent and wholesome at the same time. In every bite, you get nutty amaranth, dried fruit, coconut flakes, and a hint of maple syrup. I like to top mine with coconut whipped cream. But it’s still incredible without it! Click on a star to rate it!
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