Quinoa, spinach and cheese baked into a bite sized recipe. These vegetarian quinoa balls make a delicious hors d’oeuvre, snack or side dish. Entertain adults with this easy quinoa recipe. Turn a mess making side dish into a healthy quinoa recipe for kids. Either way, these mini quinoa bites are sure to be a crowd favorite.
Something tells me the next Recipe Redux challenge is going to be a fun one. This month we’re going bite sized, sharing healthy takes on smaller plates and finger foods.
Just like Tastemade’s Tiny Kitchen. Actually, that’s a little too small. We’re talking more 1-2 bite dishes. Who wouldn’t want an individual dessert or an assortment of appetizers to try. How awesome is that?!
Benefits of Smaller Bites
Portion Control
Using smaller servings can help control your total portion sizes. Make sure to grab a plate or napkin first. That way you can keep track of how much you are actually eating. It’s easy to lose count—and overeat—if just popping small bites into your mouth.
Family Friendly
Feeding little ones? Use bite sizes to introduce new foods. The smaller portions are less intimidating for children’s little eyes during mealtimes. Plus, these finger foods are fun and easy to eat without utensils.
Sample Sizes
Can you resist the free samples sections of the grocery store? Me either. Bring that same concept home to try out new tastes and flavors.
Easy to Share
Looking to find a new favorite recipe? Plan a swap night with friends and have everyone prepare bite sized dishes to sample and trade.
Simple Servings
Impress household or party guests with individual serving sizes and other bite sized finger foods. Not only are they easier to eat one handed, hungry partygoers will enjoy the selection of different foods on their plate.
Travel Size
Use them as portable snack options. Store bite sized finger foods in the refrigerator or freezer. Grab a few of these items to quickly satisfy on-the-go cravings.
Watch How To Make These Quinoa Bites
Mess Free Ways to Serve Quinoa
When cooked and served on its own, quinoa can be messy. These tiny seeds act like crumbs and easily fall off the plate. While this makes a Quinoa Salad a perfect picnic option, what if you want to stay inside? Here are a few ways to enjoy quinoa without the mess.
Bake with It
Grind dry quinoa into a powder. This flour can be used in baking both sweet and savory dishes, like these Cabbage and Veggie Cakes. Alternatively, quinoa seeds can go straight into a mixture, blended and then baked (Quinoa Pizza Crust).
Add to Breakfast
Frozen quinoa can be blended into a smoothie or mixed into your omelet. This Microwave Shakshuka recipe is another great way to enjoy quinoa in the morning.
Serve with Soup
Instead of boiling noodles for soup, stir quinoa into the pot with the rest of the ingredients (Mushroom Soup) or add in on top as gluten free matzo balls.
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How to Make Quinoa Balls Recipe
Making these bite sized Spinach and Quinoa Balls is easy. Start by cooking the onion, quinoa and spinach in a pot over the stove. Then use the same pot to stir together the remaining ingredients.
Unlike these Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Bites, that are shaped like tater tots, you don’t need a special tool to form these. Grab a tablespoon measure, a small cookie scoop, soup spoons or even your hands to make these.
Spinach Quinoa Balls
Bite sized Spinach & Cheese flavored Quinoa Balls make a healthy vegetarian hors d'oeuvre, snack or side dish that both adults and kids can enjoy.
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion, minced (=1 cup or 139 grams)
- 2 teaspoon oil (avocado)
- ½ cup quinoa
- 1½ cups frozen spinach
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled (46 grams)
- 2 tablespoons chopped green olives (~5 pieces)
- 2 tablespoons hemp hearts, optional
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon butcher ground pepper
- 1 egg
Instructions
Cook the Quinoa & Spinach
Place the onions and oil in a small pot. Cook over a medium heat until the onions are translucent and just starting to brown, 7-9 minutes.
Stir in the quinoa. Cook for 1 minute before adding in ¾ cup of water. Cover the pot and cook for about 10 minutes, until the water is absorbed. Add frozen spinach to the pot and cook an additional 4 to 6 minutes (uncovered), stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and allow quinoa spinach mixture to cool slightly (5-10 minutes).
Make the Quinoa Bites
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix the remaining ingredients into the pot. Scoop out a tablespoon of the mixture, forming it into a ball. Place on the baking tray. Repeat with the remaining quinoa mixture.
Bake at 400°F for 30-35 minutes. Use a spatula to lift off of baking tray.
Notes
Meal Prep
The onions, quinoa and spinach can be prepared in advance. They can also be cooked separately and mixed in with the remaining ingredients.
Freezer Friendly
Prepare the mixture as described. Freeze the shaped balls (raw) on a sheet pan. Once firm, transfer to a freezer safe container or sealed bag.
Baking Instructions
Bake the frozen quinoa bites straight from the freezer. Add another 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 8 piecesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 165Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 286mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 4gSugar: 2gProtein: 9g
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This post was originally published in 2016 and has been revamped and updated in January 2020.
