Baked Cheddar Quinoa Bites (Printable Version)

Golden baked cheddar quinoa bites with vegetables, perfect for snacking or appetizers.

# 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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a mini muffin tin or line with paper liners.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked quinoa, shredded cheddar, eggs, spinach, red bell pepper, green onions, and minced garlic.
03 - Incorporate breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, oregano, and smoked paprika. Mix thoroughly until uniform.
04 - Distribute mixture evenly into prepared mini muffin cups, pressing gently to compact.
05 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until bites are golden and set.
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 hold together beautifully and taste like comfort food without the guilt.
  • You can toss in whatever vegetables are sitting in your fridge and they still turn out great.
  • Theyre filling enough to curb afternoon hunger but light enough that you dont feel heavy afterward.
  • They freeze like a dream and reheat in minutes when you need a fast snack.
02 -
  • If your quinoa is even slightly warm when you add the eggs, youll end up with scrambled bits instead of a smooth mixture.
  • Pressing the mixture down firmly into each cup is the difference between bites that hold together and ones that crumble apart.
  • Letting them cool in the pan for a few minutes prevents them from breaking when you try to remove them.
03 -
  • Use a small cookie scoop to portion the mixture evenly so all your bites bake at the same rate.
  • If you want extra crispy edges, brush the tops lightly with olive oil before baking.
  • Add a tablespoon of grated Parmesan to the mixture for a deeper, saltier flavor that makes them taste almost indulgent.
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