Chewy, nutty barley breakfast bowls are topped with fruit, nuts, and a hint of cinnamon to create a hearty and satisfying breakfast – perfect for cold mornings.

Oatmeal is usually my go-to breakfast grain, but after making a big batch of barley recently I figured it was time to try something different. If you’ve never cooked barley before, I urge you to try it in curries, salads, or a risotto. And when you do, make an extra batch to use for this super easy Barley Breakfast Bowl with Fruit and Nuts. A great vegetarian and vegan breakfast option, we love using whole hull-less barley but any barley will work. And to save time, try making it in your rice cooker!
Ingredients
- Barley: A whole-grain that is high in fiber and calcium, it’s already a popular cereal grain, so you might as well just make your own!
- Cinnamon: An aromatic, sweet and spicy, warm flavor that pairs well with fruits and nuts.
- Cloves: Another aromatic spice that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, ground cloves pairs well with the cinnamon and other ingredients.
- Salt: You need a bit of salt to bring balance to the final dish.
- Fruit: I love to use apples and dried cherries, but it would taste great with bananas, raisins, or other dried and fresh fruit.
- Nuts: I typically use walnuts, but you can use pecans or almonds as well.
- Maple syrup: A great natural sweetener that goes great with the warm spices of cinnamon and cloves. You could also use honey or agave nectar!
How to Make a Barley Breakfast Bowl

Start your barley breakfast bowls by cooking your barley according to package instructions, by either bringing a pot of water to boil, or use your rice cooker! While your barley cooks, prepare your fruit and nuts.

Once your barley is cooked, add the fruit and nuts and stir until evenly mixed and warmed through.

Serve with your choice of milk if desired, and enjoy your Barley Breakfast Bowl!
Shake Things Up
- Add more flavors. Mix up the flavors by adding peanut butter or another nut butter to the bowl.
- Make it savory. Instead of maple syrup and fruit, add bacon bits and avocado.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of barley is healthiest?
Which grain is healthiest?
How do you store cooked barley?

More Easy Breakfasts
- Apple Cinnamon Protein Pancakes
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
- Avocado Egg Sandwich
- Peaches and Cream Overnight Oats
- Blueberry Greek Yogurt Waffles
Eat It, Like It, Share It!
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No matter how you top your barley breakfast bowl, a warm, cozy, and healthy breakfast will keep you and your family energized for hours.
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Barley Breakfast Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked barley (I used Bob’s Red Mill whole hull-less barley)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- 1 pinch salt (if you didn’ salt barley during cooking process)
- 2 medium apples (diced)
- ¼ cup walnuts (chopped)
- ¼ cup dried cherries
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- milk to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium sauce pot heated over medium heat.
- Stir frequently until warmed through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Pour into four bowls and serve with milk if desired.
Last Step:
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