Maple Cinnamon Breakfast Farro
Breakfast farro is a delicious alternative to oatmeal! The toothsome bite to the farro makes it a hearty and healthy way to start the day.
A farro breakfast porridge is a delicious alternative to oatmeal! The toothsome bite to the farro makes it a hearty and healthy way to start the day.
Note: This post first appeared on February 17, 2013. The recipe has been updated from the archives with updated content and photographs, as well as improved kitchen notes and recipe annotation. I hope you enjoy this favorite from my kitchen.
I used to dress by the heater in my bedroom. Those winter mornings, I would lay out my uniform near the grills, so as I pulled on the crisp shirt with the Peter Pan collar and the painstakingly ironed pleated plaid skirt, I wouldn’t be shocked by the cold. Cable knit stockings and a thick sweater, both navy, of course, would complete the uniform, and I would head into the kitchen for breakfast.
Some of my most vivid memories of winter mornings as a child were of those when my grandmother would be with us for a long visit. She would fly in from the Philippines, leaving the humidity of the tropics for the bleak tundra that New York would become in the winter months. It was her oatmeal that I remember, stirred lovingly over the stovetop, and as sweet as her soft hugs.
I called her Mama. Emphasis on the first syllable. My mother called her Mama, but with emphasis on the second. It made total sense. And Mama’s oatmeal was the only kind I liked. She made it just right.
Oatmeal is still a favorite breakfast, even in the not so frigid California winters. When we ski, that is what we eat, to nourish for a busy day ahead. My husband packs oatmeal for work. And I used to do the same, in my pre-children life.
Farro Breakfast Porridge
These days, I have been exploring making breakfast porridges with other grains, and I have found that I love farro. My Maple Cinnamon Breakfast Farro is hearty and with a nice chewiness that oatmeal can’t offer. I make it almost as sweet as Mama’s, and I think she would have absolutely approved.
What is farro? Farro is an ancient grain with Egyptian origins and popular in Italian cooking. It’s incredibly versatile, whether in soups or salads, or in this case, breakfast!
I usually buy the quicker cooking pearled (all bran is removed) or semipearled (part of the bran is removed) farro, as it is a time saver in the kitchen and cooks in about 10-20 minutes. Trader Joe’s has a 10 minute farro that is delicious. But whole grain farro is wonderful, too; just remember to cook it longer (30-40 minutes)!
More Healthy Breakfast Recipes
Overnight Refrigerator Oatmeal
Overnight Oats with Figs, Honey and Toasted Coconut
Mocha Oatmeal Bowls
More Farro Recipes
Roasted Butternut Squash Winter Salad with Kale, Farro and Cranberry Dressing
Stuffed Butternut Squash with Farro, Chickpeas and Kale
Farro Soup with Red Chard and Sausage
Maple Cinnamon Breakfast Farro
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup farro
- 1 3/4 cups water
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/4 cup skim milk
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- fresh fruit such as berries or sliced bananas
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, stir together farro and water and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Once it is bubbling, cover and lower heat, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the faro is fully cooked and the grains have puffed up, and most of the water has been absorbed.
- Stir in the maple syrup, skim milk, and cinnamon.
- Serve immediately, topped with fresh fruit.
Notes
Nutrition
Comments
COOKBOOK
This looks so good! What a great combination of flavors!
It was good, but essentially farro floating in milk. Not really a porridge. Is there a way to combine it all more?
Hi Gabrielle, if you find that the farro isn’t releasing its starches enough, you could give some of the farro a blitz in a blender before cooking — this will help to release the starches and make it more thick!
LOVE this healthy breakfast. Pinned!
This recipe is so delicious!
As a vegan, I substituted soy milk for cow’s milk.
Additionally, I threw in a handful of pepitas, golden raisins, dried cranberries, a few tablespoons of chia and flax seeds. This really upped the nutritional ante.
This is a keeper.
I’ve not thought to use farro as porridge before – what a great idea! Thank you!
I tried it and loved it! What I especially like about this lil dish is that it suits all seasons and all types of weather – warm and comforting on cold days but not too heavy. It’s also quite refreshing, especially topped with fresh berries, on hot mornings.
I just got a bag of farro and have been wondering what to do with them. I’ve been on a Paleo diet for 45 days now (no carbs at all), but I think I’m ready to slowly go back in with grains, preferably whole ones. I heard farro is really healthy but I have not cooked with it yet. I will try your breakfast recipe, for sure.
I really admire your willpower on the Paleo diet. Just thinking about it makes me weak! I can see how great it is for your body, though! I think farro would be a great grain to reintroduce to your diet!
I love the use of different grains in my hot breakfast porridge’s too! This looks so comforting, Liren :)
Liren, I loved this post. This is such a delicious dish….I am going to print this recipe and make this very soon! Lovely picture!!
http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.com
I’m so glad, Purabi. Thank you :)
I don’t eat it as often anymore, but oatmeal was always a breakfast fave of mine. I agree farro has that lovely toothy texture. I’m sure your grandmother loved the visits as much as you did. Hope you are having a great weekend my dear. I’ve been out getting as much sunshine as I can.
-Gina-
I hope you’re having a great weekend, too, Gina! Yesterday was gorgeous, but now that bite is back in the air, brr! Time for more warm breakfasts :)
Oh how I love bowls of warm oatmeal! Sometimes it’s just what we need on these winter mornings. I can’t wait to give your farro recipe a try!
There’s nothing better on winter mornings, I do believe! Hope you’re staying cozy, Brian!
I love a warming breakfast, though I’ve never tried farro. Great idea! You can never go wrong with maple and cinnamon :).
So true, maple and cinnamon are good friends for sure!
This is so timely. I have farro but no oatmeal and sick with the flu, I’m not going shopping and have been wanting oatmeal all morning. That vision of the school uniform reminds me of my own. My grandmother would make us oatmeal and ovaltine before school. Great memories.
Ovaltine!! How could I forget!? I drank that every morning, too! Oh, Angela, I hope you feel better! A steaming bowl of farro would definitely do nicely. If only there was some Ovaltine, too!