Cheesy Quinoa Veggie Bites – Healthy Vegetarian Snack Recipe for Kids

1/7/20

Cheesy Veggie Quinoa Bites make delicious, healthy snacks or simple gluten free appetizers. Easy to make with only four ingredients, and the recipe can be customized to whatever leftover or frozen veggies you have on hand. It’s hard to find quinoa recipes for toddlers and kids, but mine couldn’t keep their fingers off of these. You’ll love that they are packed with plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and protein, and the kids will love that they are packed with cheese!

My recipes reflect how I cook for my family. When I am creating recipes to share with you, sometimes I finally write down something I’ve made over and over again, such as Worcestershire Sauce Cast Iron Seared Cube Steaks. Other times I put a creative twist on a classic like the Shepherd’s Pie Loaded Baked Potatoes everyone loves.

Then sometimes, as with this recipe, I randomly throw something together and realize that I NEED to share it with all of you. 

Cheesy Veggie Quinoa Bites were born from two hungry little boys and me staring into the fridge at containers of leftovers. Now, my boys aren’t fans of just eating quinoa straight up. I have to be a quinoa ninja, so in this case, I went with two surefire bets – making cheesy quinoa and turning it into finger food.

Of course, I also had to add the leftover vegetables I had in the fridge too. And it was a total success! I had to stop them from polishing off the whole batch just so I could grab some photos. Heck, I had to stop myself too!

How to Make Cheesy Quinoa Bites with Vegetables

It doesn’t take much more than stirring together a few ingredients and packing it into a mini muffin tin before popping them into the oven.

What is in quinoa bites?

• Quinoa – cooked and cooled.
• Cheddar cheese – I prefer Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar, but you can use your favorite.
• Vegetables – cooked and chopped, any you like.
• Egg
• Salt

What vegetables can you use in these veggie bites?

In the photos, I used a mixture of steamed broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower. I have also used leftover roasted cauliflower and roasted broccoli. For the video, it was thawed frozen peas and carrots, but any thawed mixed veggies will work. Oftentimes I will add a thawed veggie blend of peas, carrots, corn, and green beans.

You can even get a little fancier and make Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Quinoa Bites. It’s totally your choice, so use whatever you have on hand, or whatever you are trying to sneak past your kids. I won’t tell. It’ll be our little secret!

How do you make Cheesy Quinoa Bites?

Make sure you check out the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full amounts and details.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray.
2. Mix ingredients together in a bowl.
3. Divide the mixture evenly in the mini muffin tin, and pack it in firmly.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
5. Serve hot or at room temperature. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

How much dry quinoa do you need to make 1 cup of cooked quinoa?

Quinoa typically triples in volume when you cook it. So if you want to make exactly 1 cup of cooked quinoa, you will want to cook 1/3 cup dry quinoa in 2/3 cups of water or other liquid.

However, I recommend making a bigger batch because you can keep it in the fridge for up to a week and use it in a number of other recipes.

What can I do with quinoa?

• Quinoa Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Bars
• BBQ Shrimp Quinoa Bowls
• Mixed Berry Quinoa Yogurt Parfaits
• Barbecue Ranch Quinoa Chicken Salad

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What is a good dip for quinoa bites?

• Homemade Ketchup
• Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip
• Healthy Honey Mustard Dip
• Cucumber Dill Yogurt Dip

What are more ways to get kids to eat veggies?

• Creamy Vegetable Soup
• Baked Cauliflower Tots
• Shepherds Pie
• Healthy Zucchini Carrot Muffins (or Gluten Free Veggie Muffins)
• Cheddar Broccoli Cauliflower Soup
• Cauliflower Pizza Crust from Princess Pinky Girl

Cheesy Veggie Quinoa Bites Recipe

It can be hard to find quinoa recipes for kids. But when you add plenty of cheese and turn them into crispy finger food, you can be sure the little ones will gobble up these veggie bites. Make them as an easy vegetarian lunch recipe, or a side dish or snack.

Print Recipe

4.5 from 6 votes

Cheesy Veggie Quinoa Bites

Veggies, protein and whole grains packed into fun, cheesy tots perfect for little fingers to grab and munch on!

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time30 mins

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6

Calories: 143kcal

Author: Brianne Izzo, Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked quinoa , cooled
• 4 ounces cheddar cheese , shredded (about 1 cup)
• 1 cup vegetables , chopped and cooked {steamed, roasted, etc}
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 egg

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray or oil.
• Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and mix until thoroughly combined.
• Divide the mixture evenly between the cups of the mini muffin tin, and press down to pack it in firmly.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
• If you do not finish them, store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Tried this recipe?Mention @cupcakekalechip or tag #cupcakesandkalechips!

Nutrition

Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 337mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 2g | Vitamin A: 1770IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 153mg | Iron: 1mg

Enjoy!