Baked Cheddar Quinoa Bites (Printable)

Golden quinoa bites blended with sharp cheddar, spinach, and bell pepper for a tasty snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup cooked quinoa, cooled

→ Dairy

02 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
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 the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a mini muffin tin or line with mini paper liners.
02 - In a large bowl, mix cooked quinoa, shredded cheddar, eggs, spinach, red bell pepper, green onions, and garlic until evenly incorporated.
03 - Incorporate breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, oregano, and smoked paprika. Stir thoroughly until a uniform mixture forms.
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 the bites are golden brown and firm to the touch.
06 - Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • They're genuinely addictive despite being packed with quinoa and vegetables, so you feel virtuous while eating something you actually want.
  • Once made, they vanish from the fridge because everyone grabs them cold, dipped in Greek yogurt, or reheated for breakfast.
02 -
  • Don't skip cooling the quinoa beforehand—warm or hot quinoa releases too much moisture and will make your bites fall apart rather than hold their shape.
  • The bites will feel slightly fragile when warm, but they firm up completely as they cool, so resist the urge to remove them from the pan too early.
03 -
  • Stir in 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan along with the cheddar if you want deeper savory notes and a slightly more complex cheese flavor.
  • A tiny shake of cayenne pepper in the breadcrumb mixture adds warmth without announcing itself, especially if you're serving to people who like gentle heat.
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