Belonging to the pseudocereal family (along with quinoa and amaranth), buckwheat is actually a seed, making its name cheekily deceptive.
This grain-imposter is a nutrition powerhouse high in minerals and antioxidants, with the likes of rutin, quercetic, D-chiro inositol, manganese, coper, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus all packed into this tiny, innocent looking seed. Widely available as groats, flour, and noodles, buckwheat is versatile and perfect as a grain substitute. The best part? It's super tasty, no matter how you roll with it.
Here are 10 recipes, from breakfast to dinner and everything in between, to kick off your love affair with buckwheat.
Raw Vegan Coconut & Beetroot Balls
Pretty pink and stuffed with nutrients, these Raw Coconut Beetroot Bliss Balls are all kinds of right. With only five ingredients, and no more than 20 minutes to make from start to finish, we're predicting a new favourite bliss ball on the go-to snack rotation.
Photo: Deviliciously Raw
Chunky-Monkey Banana Bread Granola
For a healthy, nutrient packed twist on 'chunky' granola try this scrumptious recipe that uses almond butter and banana to create wholesome chunks, minus the sugar. Buckwheat groaties add a divine crunch while pecans and walnuts make it a luxurious nutty breakfast option that's packed full of flavour.
Double Chocolate Crunch Bars
Holy chocolatey goodness, these bars are deadly in all the right ways. They embrace the goodness of cacao, with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, along with a good dose of protein courtesy of buckwheat groats and some decadent nuts. Give it a go. Snack time will feel like an indulgent treat.
Photo: My Wholefood Romance
Carrot Cake Baked Doughnuts
Not all doughnuts are created equal, and these baked beauties are a great example of how a 'bad' food can be reincarnated as a saint food. Vegan, dairy, gluten, and refined sugar free, full of that distinctive spiced carrot cake flavour, and finished off with a lush slathering of cashew cream icing, these saint doughnuts taste like a wicked indulgence, but are actually a nutrient-packed, good-for-you breakfast/snack/dessert/anytime 'treat'.
Roasted Pear & Buckwheat Salad
'Who said you don't win friends with salad', and we agree, Homespun Capers. This salad will DEFINITELY win friends. Delightfully earthy, perfectly sweet, and irresistibly nutty, this winter-perfect salad ticks all the essential boxes. And we're in love.
Banoffee Buckwheat Porridge
The warming winter-breakfast favourite just got a makeover, and we're a huge fan. A buckwheat base gives this porridge texture while a selection of cheeky toppings, including our favourite Loving Earth chocolate, make this an indulgent start to your day – in a good way!
Photo: Loving Earth
Clean Soba Noodle Soup
Easy, flavourful, and perfect for those impending winter nights, this soba noodle bowl is a great mid-week dinner option when you want a nutritious meal but, honestly, could not be bothered slaving over the stove – or, like me, have a toddler clinging to your legs as you cook, and frankly, just need to get dinner cooked and on the table.
Peanut Butter & Buckwheat Fudge Bites
Get creative with your desserts and snacks, and embrace the wonderful world of Peanut Butter & Buckwheat Fudge Bites. You'll be glad you did. Caution: these fudge bites are easy to make and seriously addictive, a deadly combination. You've been warned.
Cookies!
Who doesn't love cookies?! These cookies are the crunchiest, yummiest, healthiest baked goods around, and with buckwheat as a base, they are a delicious allergy-free option. No allergies to worry about – or just looking for a cookie that tastes suspiciously like a piece of apple pie? These Apple and Date Cookies are like a warm, autumny apple-pie-hug.
Buckwheat Seed Bread
Get your dose of essential nutrients with a slice of this ridiculously good gluten-free and yeast-free Buckwheat Seed Bread from the deservedly popular Brown Paper Bag blog run by nutritionist and all-round awesome lady, Jacqueline Alwill. With goodies like buckwheat, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and flaxseeds in the mix, it's a seedy superstar of the good kind. Toasted and topped with fresh tomato and basil will have your taste buds crushing like a schoolgirl at a One Direction concert.
Photo: Brown Paper Bag
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