This Bulgur Breakfast is a quick, easy, and healthy recipe. Cook bulgur in milk with cinnamon and sweetener, then top it with your favorite fruits or nuts. It's a tasty, nutritious way to start your day!
Bulgur wheat is a type of grain that's good for your body. It's full of vitamins, fiber, and minerals that can help keep you healthy.
Our Bulgur Breakfast is not only good for you but it also tastes great. It's a wonderful way to start your day!
And if you love bulgur as much as we do, you should see our best bulgur recipes too!
Bulgur is one of the ingredients we use very often but not in a breakfast dish. We are on the savory side when we think of bulgur and we mostly make a bulgur pilaf or bulgur salad called kisir with it. Also, you might have heard about one of the most popular street foods, Cigkofte too.
Is Bulgur Healthy?
Eating bulgur for breakfast has many health benefits. It's rich in fiber and vitamins that help you feel full and energized throughout the day. Bulgur also supports digestion and heart health, making it a fantastic addition to your morning meal.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
There are plenty of reasons to love this Bulgur Breakfast recipe. Here are a few that stand out:
- Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with fiber and essential vitamins, this recipe is a powerhouse of nutrition. Starting your day with this bulgur breakfast can keep you feeling full and energized throughout the day.
- Quick and Easy: Time is precious, especially in the mornings. This recipe can be ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for those busy mornings when you still want a homemade and hearty breakfast.
- Versatile: You can customize this recipe based on your tastes or dietary needs. Whether you prefer fruits or nuts, sweet or savory toppings, the choice is yours! This makes it a great base recipe that you can adapt and make your own.
- Unique Flavor: If you're looking to switch up your breakfast routine, this recipe is a great choice. The combination of bulgur, milk, and cinnamon offers a delightful texture and flavor that's comforting and satisfying.
More Bulgur Recipes
About The Ingredients
This Bulgur Breakfast recipe is made with simple, healthy ingredients. Here's what each one brings to the dish:
- Milk: Milk is used to cook the bulgur, giving it a creamy texture and rich flavor. It also adds a good amount of protein and calcium to your breakfast. If you're lactose intolerant or vegan, you can easily substitute this with a non-dairy milk like almond, soy, or oat milk.
- Bulgur: Bulgur is a whole grain that's packed with fiber, protein, and various nutrients. It has a slightly nutty flavor and a pleasant, chewy texture that works well in both sweet and savory dishes. In this recipe, it serves as the main ingredient, offering both substance and nutrition.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds a touch of warm, sweet spice to the dish. It's also known for its potential health benefits, such as blood sugar control and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Honey, Maple Syrup, or Agave Syrup: These sweeteners give the bulgur a lovely sweetness. They each have their own unique flavor, so you can choose the one you like the most. Plus, they're all natural sweeteners, which are a healthier choice than processed sugars.
- Fruit or Nuts for Topping: Fruits add a fresh, sweet, and tangy flavor that complements the creamy bulgur. Nuts, on the other hand, provide a delightful crunch and additional protein. You can choose your favorites to customize your breakfast.
How To Make It
Here's the simple process to create this nutritious and delicious bulgur breakfast dish:
- Heat the Milk: Start by heating the milk in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Make sure the milk gets warm, but be careful not to let it boil.
- Add the Bulgur and Cinnamon: Next, stir in the bulgur and the cinnamon into the warm milk. Allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the Bulgur: Lower the heat to medium-low, cover the saucepan, and let the mixture simmer. Do this for about 10-15 minutes, until the bulgur is tender and has soaked up most of the milk. Remember to stir every now and then to prevent the bulgur from sticking to the pan.
- Sweeten the Dish: Once the bulgur is cooked, stir in the honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup. Give it a taste and add more sweetener if you like.
- Let the Bulgur Rest: After sweetening, take the pan off the heat, cover it, and let it sit for about 5 minutes. This allows the bulgur to absorb any remaining milk and become more flavorful.
- Serve Your Bulgur Breakfast: Finally, pour the cooked bulgur into your breakfast bowls. Top it with your favorite fruits or nuts for added flavor and crunch. Enjoy this tasty and healthy breakfast while it's still warm!
Variations
Here are a few variations you can try to switch things up:
- Vegan Version: If you follow a vegan diet, substitute the milk with a plant-based alternative like almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk. For the sweetener, use maple syrup or agave syrup instead of honey.
- Protein Boost: For an extra protein boost, add a scoop of your favorite protein powder or stir in some Greek yogurt. You can also top it with a spoonful of nut butter.
- Savory Twist: For a savory take on this recipe, cook the bulgur in vegetable broth instead of milk. Then, top it with some sautéed veggies, a soft-boiled egg, and a sprinkle of your favorite cheese.
- Gluten-free: Though bulgur is not gluten-free, you can make a similar recipe with quinoa or buckwheat groats for a gluten-free alternative.
- Add Spices: Add a pinch of other spices to change the flavor profile. Nutmeg, cardamom, or even a little vanilla extract could add an interesting twist to your bulgur breakfast.
Serving Suggestions
Serving this Bulgur Breakfast is just as easy and customizable as making it. Here's how you can create a delightful breakfast experience:
- Dish it up: After cooking, spoon the warm bulgur into individual breakfast bowls. A shallow bowl is ideal as it helps distribute the heat evenly, ensuring that your breakfast stays warm longer.
- Add your toppings: This is where you can get creative! Top your bulgur with your favorite fresh fruits like bananas, berries, or peaches for a sweet and tangy flavor. For a crunchy contrast, sprinkle some nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans. You can also add a bit of extra sweetness with a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or a dusting of cinnamon.
- Serve right away: This Bulgur Breakfast is best enjoyed warm. The warmth not only enhances the flavors but also provides a comforting start to your day.
- Pair with a beverage: Pair your Bulgur Breakfast with a beverage of your choice. A cup of hot tea, coffee, or a glass of fresh juice complements this breakfast beautifully.
Make It Ahead of Time
You can prepare the bulgur for breakfast ahead of time, which is a great option for those with busy morning schedules.
Here's how to do it:
- Cook the Bulgur: Follow the recipe steps to cook the bulgur in milk with cinnamon and sweetener. Once cooked, allow it to cool completely.
- Store: Transfer the cooled bulgur to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat: When you're ready to enjoy your Bulgur Breakfast, simply reheat the bulgur in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of milk if needed to loosen it up. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes.
- Add Toppings: After reheating, add your chosen fruits or nuts, and enjoy!
Our Tips
Here are some useful tips to ensure your Bulgur Breakfast turns out perfect every time:
- Stir Frequently: When cooking the bulgur, make sure to stir the mixture regularly to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.
- Watch the Heat: Cooking the bulgur over medium-low heat allows it to absorb the milk gradually and cook evenly. High heat can cause the milk to boil too rapidly and possibly burn.
- Adjust Sweetness to Taste: Start with a small amount of sweetener, then taste the bulgur once it's cooked. You can always add more sweetener if needed, but you can't take it away.
- Use Fresh Toppings: Fresh fruit will add a brighter flavor and a variety of textures to your breakfast. If you're using nuts, consider toasting them lightly first to bring out their flavor.
- Plan for Leftovers: If you're cooking for one, halve the recipe, or embrace the leftovers. The cooked bulgur stores well and can easily be reheated for a quick, ready-to-go breakfast.
Storage & Reheating
Storing and reheating this Bulgur Breakfast is simple and convenient. Here's what you need to do:
Storing:
- Cool Down: Allow the cooked bulgur to cool completely before storing to prevent excess moisture buildup which can affect the texture and flavor.
- Transfer: Transfer the cooled bulgur to an airtight container or divide into individual serving-sized containers for easier reheating.
- Refrigerate: Store the bulgur in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating:
- Saucepan Reheating: If you're reheating the bulgur on the stove, transfer the desired amount to a saucepan. Warm it over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You may want to add a splash of milk to help loosen it up and restore its creamy texture.
- Microwave Reheating: If you prefer to use the microwave, transfer the bulgur to a microwave-safe dish. Heat it for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even reheating.
FAQs
You can replace milk with any non-dairy milk, such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk, for a vegan-friendly version. For a savory twist, you can even cook the bulgur in vegetable broth.
Increase the protein content, consider adding a scoop of your favorite protein powder to the bulgur as it cooks, or stir in Greek yogurt at the end. You could also top the cooked bulgur with nuts or seeds, which are good sources of plant-based protein.
Yes, you can substitute bulgur with other grains like quinoa, oatmeal, or farro. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time and liquid amounts as needed based on the grain you are using.
As always: If you make this recipe, let us know what you think by rating it and leaving a comment below. And post a pic on Instagram too—tag @give_recipe so we can see!
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📖 Recipe
Bulgur Breakfast
Warm bulgur breakfast with cinnamon, honey and fruit is super tasty, healthy and filling.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 and ¾ cups milk
- ½ cup bulgur, fine or medium
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon honey, maple syrup or agave syrup
- Fruit or nuts for topping
Instructions
- Heat the milk: In a medium-sized saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it's warm but not boiling.
- Add the bulgur and cinnamon: Stir in the bulgur and cinnamon. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the bulgur: Lower the heat to medium-low, cover the saucepan, and let the bulgur simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the bulgur is tender and has absorbed most of the milk. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent the bulgur from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Add the sweetener: Stir in the honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup. Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed.
- Let it sit: Remove the pan from the heat, cover it, and let it sit for about 5 minutes so that the bulgur can absorb any remaining liquid and become more flavorful.
- Serve: Pour the bulgur into breakfast bowls. Top with your favorite fruits or nuts. Enjoy while it's warm.
Notes
You can have the leftovers next morning. Just heat it a bit and top with your favorite fruit.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 357
- Sugar: 25.5 g
- Sodium: 99.7 mg
- Fat: 10.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 57.3 g
- Protein: 13.2 g
- Cholesterol: 21.4 mg
Lulu Taylor says
This looks really good Zerrin. We will give it a go and we agree with you, we like ours creamy too. What size bulgur do you advise? And another bulgur question for you. Have you ever made a substitute couscous recipe using the smaller type of bulgur? Do you think it would work the same? I love the Moroccan couscous dishes with lots of vegetables. Do you think bulgur would work?
Zerrin says
Hi Lulu!
I use fine-ground bulgur for this recipe. Thank you for reminding, I'll add it to the recipe.
As for your second question, believe or not I have never made something with couscous. I really don't know why. I think bulgur can be a good substitute though for any couscous recipe. Need to try this myself too.