Baked Cheddar Quinoa Bites (Printable Version)

Golden cheddar and quinoa bites with spinach and peppers, baked to a savory, protein-packed delight.

# The Ingredients 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

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Preheat the 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, chopped spinach, diced red bell pepper, sliced green onions, and minced garlic until evenly distributed.
03 - Add gluten-free breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and smoked paprika to the bowl. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients uniformly.
04 - Spoon the mixture evenly into the prepared mini muffin tin cups, pressing gently to firmly pack each one.
05 - Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown and set.
06 - Allow the bites to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • They hold together beautifully in a lunchbox and taste just as good at room temperature as they do warm from the oven.
  • You can sneak in vegetables without anyone noticing, and the quinoa keeps you full without feeling heavy.
  • One batch makes enough for snacking all week, and they freeze like a dream.
02 -
  • If your quinoa is even slightly warm, the eggs will cook prematurely and turn the mixture into scrambled egg quinoa, which does not hold together.
  • Pressing the mixture firmly into the muffin tin makes all the difference, loose packing leads to crumbly bites that fall apart.
03 -
  • Use a small cookie scoop to fill the muffin tin evenly, it saves time and gives you uniform bites every time.
  • If you want extra richness, stir in two tablespoons of grated Parmesan along with the cheddar.
  • Do not skip the smoked paprika, it adds a subtle depth that makes people ask what your secret is.
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