20 Easy Amaranth Recipes to Make at Home (2024)

food

Quinoa is so yesterday

By Stephanie Cain

•

Published Nov 28, 2023

Additional reporting by

Lizzy Rosenberg

Snixy Kitchen

Meet amaranth, an ancient grain originally eaten by the Aztecs in what's now central Mexico. Today, it's making its way into all sorts of modern dishes. We love to substitute it for rice or quinoa or add it to baked goods, like muffins and waffles. Try these 20 easy amaranth recipes, like soft and chewy ginger cookies, lively lemon pop p y seed muffins and amaranth chicken burgers, and you're bound to be converted. (Oh, did we mention amaranth is gluten-free and packed with protein?)

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What Is Amaranth?

Amaranth is widely mistaken for a grain—it's actually a seed, says Real Simple. It's a mild, slightly nutty-tasting pseudocereal that can be boiled to be used in lieu of rice or quinoa, or ground up into flour for baking. It's gluten-free and rich in both iron and protein, making it a healthy addition to any diet. According to Healthline, it could potentially help you lower your cholesterol or lose weight.

Snixy Kitchen

1. Gluten-Free Sweet Amaranth Waffles with Spiced Chai Poached Pears

Time Commitment: 2 hours
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, high protein

Amaranth flour and whole-grain amaranth are used in these hearty, gluten-free waffles. The amaranth flour is combined with sweet rice flour (which is different from brown or white rice flour.) Candied popped amaranth adds a sweet finishing touch, making it the ultimate weekend brunch dish.

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The Bojon Gourmet

2. Gluten-Free Amaranth Tortillas and Vegetarian Breakfast Tacos

Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, high protein

Mix amaranth with other ancient grains for a stellar gluten-free tortilla. Try them with these vegetarian-friendly breakfast tacos. The filling is made up of black beans, eggs, veggies, spices and herbs—but feel free to get creative with what you put in there.

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Strength and Sunshine

3. Lively Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, high protein

Combine amaranth, oat and cornmeal with Meyer lemon and puréed carrots for the most delicious gluten-free, vegan muffins of all time. The carrot adds bright color, as well as healthy carotenes and other good vitamins, to every bite.

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Strength and Sunshine

4. Peanut Butter Espresso Banana Bread

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Lizzy Rosenberg

Freelance PureWow Editor

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20 Easy Amaranth Recipes to Make at Home (2024)

FAQs

What dishes is amaranth used in? ›

Cooked amaranth can be used in soups, stews, chili or in place of rice in most recipes. Amaranth seeds can be stored in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 6 months. Amaranth flour can be used to make muffins, breads, and pancakes.

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How to cook and eat amaranth? ›

Toast a tablespoon of amaranth seeds a time in a hot, dry skillet. Continually shake or stir until the seeds pop. Eat them as a snack or use them to top soups, salads, and vegetable dishes. We've also heard that popped amaranth can be used to bread tofu or meat but haven't given it a try yet.

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How to use amaranth in baking? ›

Use amaranth flour as a 25% replacement for wheat flour in recipes and combine it with other gluten free flours to achieve the best texture for your baked goods. Try popping amaranth grains over dry heat to add a nutty flavor and unique texture to your baked goods – it works particularly well in granola.

Can you overcook amaranth? ›

Amaranth cannot be overcooked and the seeds will always retain a slight crunch. Serve with honey, maple syrup or brown rice syrup.

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How was amaranth traditionally prepared? ›

Amaranth leaves are usually picked fresh for use as greens in salads or blanched, steamed, boiled, fried in oil, and mixed with meat, fish, cucurbit seeds, groundnut or palm oil.

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How do you prepare amaranth plant? ›

Add amaranth, reduce heat and simmer, cover until liquid is absorbed, which will be about 20 minutes. For cereal, simply bring 2 ½ cups water and ½ teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium pot. Add your amaranth, reduce heat and simmer, cover for 25 minutes. You can also cook your amaranth in a multi-cooker!

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What is amaranth common use? ›

In many countries, Amaranthus species are cultivated for use as cereals, vegetables, or ornamentals, a few species are considered weeds. A review of the current literature suggests that mainly Amaranthus cruentus, Amaranthus hypochondriacus, and Amaranthus caudatus are grown for food purposes [4,9,10].

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How do you process amaranth? ›

Harvesting amaranth grain

Harvest amaranth seed heads once they begin to turn brown. Cut the spikes and place them in a paper bag to dry completely. Once they are dry, shake the bag to separate the grain. You can blow off the chaff before eating the seeds.