Amaranth Porridge is hearty, comforting, and perfect for breakfast. Make this gluten-free porridge in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop. This recipe is made dairy-free, and vegan-friendly, and ready in 30 minutes.

two bowls of amaranth porridge topped with sliced bananas.

Amaranth has some great nutritional properties. It is high in plant-based protein and plant-based iron. While it is actually a seed and not a grain, it cooks up like a grain and tastes like a grain.

I would describe its cooked texture most like cream of wheat (see my related article about the benefits of cream of rice).

Amaranth is naturally gluten-free, so it is a great addition to gluten-free diets. Read about the health reasons to consider going gluten-free. You might also like my article with tips for starting a gluten-free and dairy-free diet.

You can cook amaranth either in a pressure cooker or on the stovetop, I’ve included instructions for either method. If you want to prepare it in a traditional manner, you can soak the uncooked grain in filtered water for 8-24 hours before rinsing and cooking it.

Why You Need This Recipe

  • Amaranth only takes 5 minutes cook time in a pressure cooker. It’s an ideal way to cook this amaranth porridge because it’s very hands-off.
  • Customize this recipe as you like! I usually add some protein powder to up the protein content (see my list of the best clean protein powders). But, you can leave it out if you wish.
  • Don’t like bananas? Use frozen mango chunks instead. Pear would also be great.

Key Ingredients

ingredients for making amaranth porridge.
  • You’ll need uncooked amaranth for this recipe.
  • I also recommend using ripe bananas to add natural sweetness.
  • Finally, you’ll need plant milk or water in which to cook the amaranth.

Please see the full recipe card at the end of this post for the exact measurements.

Recipe Steps

This porridge recipe is so easy to make, and it is done in 30 minutes in either a pressure cooker or on the stovetop. See the recipe card at the end of this post for both the Instant Pot and stovetop instructions.

Step One

Combine 1 cup of uncooked amaranth with 2 1/2 cups of unsweetened almond milk or water in your Instant Pot. Lock on the lid and set to high pressure for 5 minutes.

amaranth and sliced banana inside pressure cooker.

Step Two

Once the cooking time is complete, let the pressure come down naturally for about 10 minutes.

Step Three

Release any extra pressure and remove the lid. Stir in the ground cinnamon, your protein powder (optional), and serve with fruit or your favorite toppings.

bowl of creamy amaranth porridge with sliced banana and cinnamon.

Recipe Tips

  • You can use your favorite plant-based milk in this recipe. Don’t use dairy milk in the pressure cooker as it will curdle.
  • This recipe can be adapted to your liking. Want more sweetness? Add more maple syrup. Don’t like bananas? Use chopped mango or a chopped ripe pear instead.
  • Store any leftover cooked porridge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.
  • The total cooking time for this recipe is 30 minutes for Instant Pot as it includes the time to come up to pressure and the natural release time. The total time for on the stovetop is about 35 minutes including prep time.

Recipe FAQs

How do you cook amaranth on the stovetop?

To prepare amaranth on the stovetop, combine 1 cup of the uncooked grain with 3 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover the pot, and cook for about 25 minutes on low heat.

What does amaranth taste like?

It has a flavor and texture very similar to that of Cream of Wheat.

What are the nutritional benefits of amaranth?

It is naturally gluten-free so it can replace wheat or oats. It is also high in plant-based iron, protein, and antioxidants.

More Healthy & Gluten-Free Breakfast Recipes You Might Like

Or, see my entire index of clean eating breakfast recipes.

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

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amaranth porridge in a bowl with sliced bananas.

Amaranth Porridge (Instant Pot or Stovetop)

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4.9 from 7 reviews

Print Recipe

Amaranth Porridge is hearty, comforting, and perfect for breakfast. Make this gluten-free porridge in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop. This recipe is made dairy-free, and vegan-friendly, and ready in 30 minutes.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup uncooked amaranth
  • 2 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 ripe bananas, sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup (optional, for added sweetness)
  • 2 scoops of your favorite protein powder (optional, for extra protein)

Instructions

  1. For pressure cooker: Combine amaranth, almond milk, and bananas into a 3-quart pressure cooker. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes and let the pressure come down naturally for at least 10 minutes. Serve hot with cinnamon sprinkled on top and collagen peptides stirred in.
  2. For stove-top cooking: Bring almond milk to a gentle boil in a lidded pot. Stir in the amaranth and sliced bananas, lower the heat, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the grain has absorbed most of the liquid. Serve hot with cinnamon sprinkled on top (porridge will thicken as it sits).

Notes

  1. You can use your favorite plant-based milk in this recipe. Don’t use dairy milk in the pressure cooker as it will curdle.
  2. This recipe can be adapted to your liking. Want more sweetness? Add more maple syrup. Don’t like bananas? Use chopped mango or a chopped ripe pear instead.
  3. Store any leftover cooked porridge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.
  • Author: Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Pressure cooker or stovetop
  • Cuisine: Gluten-free
  • Diet: Vegan

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/5 of recipe
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 6.4 g
  • Sodium: 117.1 mg
  • Fat: 4.3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36.9 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 10.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and is studying to be a holistic nutritionist. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send her a message through her contact form.