Baked Cheddar Quinoa Bites (Printable View)

Fluffy quinoa and sharp cheddar blend with veggies for a golden, flavorful snack perfect anytime.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup cooked quinoa, cooled

→ Dairy

02 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
03 - 2 large eggs

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

04 - 1/2 cup finely chopped baby spinach
05 - 1/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper
06 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
07 - 1 clove garlic, minced

→ Pantry & Seasonings

08 - 2 tablespoons gluten-free breadcrumbs
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a mini muffin tin or line with paper liners.
02 - In a large bowl, mix cooked quinoa, shredded cheddar, eggs, spinach, red bell pepper, green onions, and garlic.
03 - Add breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, oregano, and smoked paprika to the mixture. Stir thoroughly until well combined.
04 - Spoon the mixture evenly into the prepared mini muffin tin, pressing gently to compact each portion.
05 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until bites are golden brown and firm to the touch.
06 - Allow to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They taste like comfort food but pack more protein than most snacks, so you actually feel satisfied.
  • Once you've got them in the freezer, grabbing a few warm ones beats any drive-through visit.
  • The sharp cheddar means you get real flavor without drowning everything in salt or sugar.
02 -
  • Don't skip cooling the quinoa before mixing; warm quinoa releases moisture that makes the bites fall apart during baking.
  • Overfilling the muffin cups sounds generous but actually causes them to overflow and lose their shape, so less is more here.
03 -
  • Stir in 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan if you want the cheese flavor to announce itself the moment someone bites in.
  • A tiny pinch of cayenne pepper hidden in the mix adds heat that people feel but can't quite name, making them impossibly moreish.
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