5 Farro Breakfast Bowl Recipes With More Fiber Than Oatmeal | Livestrong.com (2024)

5 Farro Breakfast Bowl Recipes With More Fiber Than Oatmeal | Livestrong.com (1)

These farro breakfast recipes are full of fiber and other important nutrients.

Oatmeal is probably the most widely used and recognized breakfast grain. But while a 1-cup serving of oatmeal serves up 4 grams of fiber, the same amount of farro will give you 9 grams.

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This versatile ancient grain is the perfect addition to your favorite breakfast bowl, as it can be served sweet, savory, hot or cold. And it's even more filling than oatmeal, thanks to its texture and fiber content.

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"Farro is an ancient wheat with a nutty flavor and chewy consistency, which makes it very hearty," says Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, nutrition expert and author of ‌Smoothies & Juices: Prevention Healing Kitchen. "‌It's high in fiber, protein and the minerals zinc and magnesium."

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Farro is also quick to prepare and easy to store, making mealtime a whole lot simpler. Give this grain a fair try with these five farro breakfast bowl recipes.

How to Make a Farro Breakfast Bowl

Making a farro breakfast bowl is simple. You can meal-prep your farro ahead of time for easy breakfasts all week long.

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For one farro breakfast bowl, you'll need about 1/4 cup of dry farro, which makes about 1/2 cup of cooked farro, according to Bob's Red Mill.

Choose between sweet or savory breakfast ingredients below, and you'll have a nutritious breakfast in no time.

Savory Ingredients

  • Eggs (any style)
  • Turkey bacon or sausage
  • Chopped onions
  • Chopped leafy greens, such as spinach and baby kale
  • Diced tomatoes or pre-prepared salsa
  • Diced avocado
  • Chopped nuts and seeds
  • Lemon or lime juice
  • Greek yogurt
  • Nut milk
  • Whole berries
  • Pomegranate kernels
  • Chopped nuts and seeds
  • Sliced fruit, such as bananas, apples or peaches
  • Greek yogurt
  • Nut butter
  • Maple syrup or honey (for sweetening)
  • Spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom
  • Nut milk (for a creamier consistency)Whole berries

Sweet Ingredients

  • Nut milk (for a creamier consistency)
  • Pomegranate kernels
  • Chopped nuts and seeds
  • Sliced fruit, such as bananas, apples or peaches
  • Greek yogurt
  • Nut butter
  • Maple syrup or honey
  • Spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom

How to Cook Farro for Breakfast

To make your own farro breakfast bowl, follow these instructions:

  1. Always rinse your farro before cooking it. You can also toast your farro before cooking it in a skillet to add a nutty flavor.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water (enough to cover the farro) to a boil, then add in the farro. If you're making a sweeter recipe, you can also cook your farro in milk or a milk alternative like almond milk, which will give it a creamier texture.
  3. Wait until the liquid is boiling again, then lower the heat to a simmer.
  4. Simmer the farro uncovered, stirring until soft, about 20 to 40 minutes. The cooking time for farro will depend on whether you're using whole farro or pearled farro, and if you soaked the farro first.
  5. Once it's softened to your desired texture, strain the farro and serve immediately, or store in an air-tight container.

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Tip

Cooked farro can last in the fridge in an air-tight container for 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months, per Bob's Red Mill.

5 Farro Breakfast Recipes Full of Nutrients

1. Mediterranean-Inspired Farro Breakfast Bowl

You can swap the breakfast sausage in this recipe for shredded chicken to lower the calories.

  • Calories:‌ 644
  • Fiber:‌ 8 grams
  • Protein:‌ 41 grams

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Fiber is a satiating nutrient that helps keep blood sugar levels stable, Largeman-Roth says. Starting the morning with a savory, high-fiber recipe will help regulate your blood sugar, keeping mid-morning sugar cravings at bay.

Whereas the soft texture of oatmeal makes savory combinations a challenge, farro offers a tougher, chewy texture and nutty taste, making it a great morning grain, Largeman-Roth says.

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"Farro really holds its shape and while it does become tender it's always quite toothsome, so it doesn't become soft like oats," she says. "But that's why it's great for making a big batch and then using it throughout the week in various ways."

Get the Mediterranean Farro Breakfast Bowl recipe and nutrition info from Lemons for Lulu.

2. Savory Farro With Charred Vegetables

If you're looking to sneak some veggies into your morning meal, opt for this savory farro breakfast bowl.

Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com

  • Calories‌: 260
  • Fiber:‌ 6 grams
  • Protein:‌ 10 grams

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This farro breakfast recipe isn't exactly your typical breakfast, but it's a great way to get in a few servings of veggies and satiating fiber into your morning.

Farro does provide some protein, but you can incorporate a fried egg into this bowl for an extra kick, Largeman-Roth suggests. Paired with the 6 grams of fiber in this recipe, adding some extra protein will help you feel full well after breakfast.

Get the Savory Farro and Charred Vegetables recipe and nutrition info here.

3. Savory Harissa Farro Breakfast Bowl

Prepare farro with spicy, savory flavor with this dish drizzled in harissa yogurt sauce.

  • Calories:‌ 396
  • Fiber:‌ 8 grams
  • Protein:‌ 15 grams

This savory breakfast bowl featuring farro as the base includes a dose of veggies and protein to get your day started off right. This dish features slightly sweet butternut squash and the umami flavoring of mushrooms, all topped with a poached egg and drizzled in a delightful yet simple spicy harissa yogurt sauce.

Get the Savory Harissa Farro Breakfast Bowl recipe and nutrition info from Kara Lydon Nutrition.

4. Maple Cinnamon Breakfast Farro

You may want to add some extra protein to this breakfast.

  • Calories:‌ 241
  • Fiber:‌ 8 grams
  • Protein:‌ 6 grams

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Topped with berries, banana and maple syrup, this farro bowl will satisfy any morning sweet tooth. And although this hearty recipe will supply a good dose of fiber, it is a bit lower in protein than most breakfast dishes.

To up the protein, you can stir in your favorite protein powder or add some nut butter or Greek yogurt.

Get the Maple Cinnamon Breakfast Farro recipe and nutrition info from Kitchen Confidante.

5. Pumpkin Breakfast Farro Bowl

This farro bowl will take only about 5 minutes to prepare.

  • Calories:‌ 338
  • Fiber:‌ 11 grams
  • Protein:‌ 28 grams

Although it's best known as a fall flavor, you can enjoy some pumpkin year-round, thanks to this breakfast recipe. Combining farro, pumpkin puree and protein powder, this bowl offers an excellent balance of macronutrients (fat, carbohydrates and protein), guaranteeing you'll feel full all morning.

For some extra crunch, you can top this bowl with some low-sugar homemade granola or chopped apples.

Get the 5-Minute Pumpkin Breakfast Farro Bowl recipe and nutrition info from Running on Real Food.

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5 Farro Breakfast Bowl Recipes With More Fiber Than Oatmeal | Livestrong.com (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between pearled farro and whole farro? ›

Whole farro is the entire grain, completely encased in the bran. Semi-pearled farro is processed to remove some of the bran and pearled farro has all the bran removed. Bran is the tough coating of the grain, a good source of fiber, protein and fat.

How many calories are in a farro bowl? ›

NUTRITION PER SERVING (AS PREPARED)* Calories: 540, Total Carbohydrates: 58g, Dietary Fiber: 8g, Added Sugar: 0g, Total Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Protein: 23g, Sodium: 790mg.

What does farro taste like when cooked? ›

Farro offers a nutty flavor, somewhat similar to barley and light brown rice. Besides that, It also gives slightly sweet, cinnamony undernotes. Nicely cooked whole-grain farro pops in the mouth, giving a wholesome chew, just like whole wheat kernels and barley.

What is farro used for? ›

"You can use the cooked farro in an added recipe, whether it's risotto or cereal, hot cereal, in soups or in stews, or even on top of a salad." One serving provides about 200 calories, 7 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber.

What is the downside of farro? ›

Also, be advised that farro contains gluten. If you have celiac disease or are otherwise gluten intolerant, avoid the grain. As you may have guessed, you'll also want to sidestep farro if you have a wheat allergy.

Is farro better than oatmeal? ›

A serving of oats (100 grams) contains nearly 17 grams of protein and 10.6 grams of fiber. A serving of farro of the same size contains 15.4 grams of protein and 6.6 grams of fiber. For cooked quinoa, it's about 3 grams of fiber and 4.4 grams of protein.

Is farro high in fiber? ›

Farro is an excellent source of fiber. Fiber, in turn, helps regulate the digestive system. So it's no surprise that farro has been shown to improve digestion in humans. If you have constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, or other digestive disorders, you may especially benefit from adding farro to your diet.

How much fiber is in farro? ›

Nutrition Info

One quarter cup of uncooked emmer wheat or farro contains 150 calories, 1g fat, 32g carbohydrates, 6g protein, and 3g of fiber, or 11% of your daily requirements. It is high in the minerals iron and calcium, and is an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and the B vitamins.

Is farro good for fat loss? ›

It's a Weight Loss Friendly Food. Although no studies have looked specifically at the effects of farro on body weight, it has a number of properties that may help with weight loss. If you are trying to lose weight, farro is a much healthier substitute for other refined grains.

Does farro taste like oatmeal? ›

A grain of farro looks and tastes somewhat like a lighter brown rice. It has a complex, nutty taste with undertones of oats and barley. But lacking the heaviness of many whole-wheat grains, farro tastes more elegant than earnest.

How do you keep farro from getting mushy? ›

The farro will absorb a lot of the water, but the excess should be drained off. You can either use a colander or just carefully tilt the pot while using the lid to hold the grains in place. Drain off as much water as possible to prevent it from turning mushy.

What is the healthiest form of farro? ›

In addition to great taste, the large, whole-grain version of farro provides healthy fiber and protein. Its pleasantly chewy texture holds up well, even in soups and stews. The whole grain version of farro is more nutritious than the husked or “pearled” type.

Is farro an inflammatory food? ›

Luckily, incorporating anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains into your diet can help tame chronic inflammation. Our top whole-grain pick for inflammation is farro, since it's packed with fiber and antioxidants while also being a versatile pantry staple.

Does farro cause gas? ›

Whole grains like farro contain a good amount of fibre which might be difficult to digest for some people (common in older adults). When broken down by microorganisms in the large intestine, it can lead to gas.

Is pearled farro better? ›

The whole grain version of farro is more nutritious than the husked or “pearled” type.

Is Bob's Red Mill farro whole or pearled? ›

Because our dry farro is lightly scratched (also sometimes called "semi pearled farro" or "pearled farro") it's technically not considered a whole grain. A small percentage of the bran has been lost during this process but the benefit is the quicker cooking time.

Is pearled farro still a whole grain? ›

Pearled and semi-pearled farro are not considered to be whole grains because part or all of the bran is removed. You may also find emmer berries on some store shelves or online.

What is the best type of farro? ›

Semi-pearled farro: This version is the best of both worlds with half of the grain intact and a reduced cook time. Whole farro: Since the grain is still intact, this version has the most nutrients per serving and strongest flavor.

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