Description
These Quinoa Vegetable and Cheesy Baby Bites are a delightful and nutritious snack or appetizer, combining fluffy quinoa with fresh vegetables and gooey mozzarella cheese. Baked until golden, these bite-sized treats are perfect for parties, lunchboxes, or a healthy snack any time of day.
Ingredients
Scale
Quinoa Base
- 130 g quinoa (3/4 cup)
- 400 ml water
Vegetables and Flavorings
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 red onion (medium and finely diced)
- 1 clove garlic (crushed)
- 1 large handful frozen peas
- 1 large handful fresh spinach leaves (finely chopped)
- 4-6 sprigs fresh thyme leaves
Binding and Cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 180ºC (350ºF) to prepare for baking the bites.
- Cook quinoa: Rinse the quinoa thoroughly using a sieve under running water. Bring 400 ml of water to a boil in a pot, then add the quinoa. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes until all liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Drain any excess water.
- Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the diced red onion and crushed garlic, frying until fragrant. Stir in the frozen peas; as they soften, gently mash them with a masher to break up. Mix in chopped spinach and fresh thyme, then remove the pan from heat.
- Combine ingredients: In a bowl, whisk the egg. Add the cooked quinoa, sautéed vegetable mixture, and grated mozzarella cheese to the egg. Stir everything thoroughly to combine into a uniform mixture.
- Form bites: Using a tablespoon, scoop and shape the mixture into small balls. Place them evenly spaced on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Bake: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until the bites turn golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Ensure quinoa is well drained to avoid soggy bites.
- You can substitute mozzarella with any melty cheese of your choice or use a vegan cheese alternative.
- These bites can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking for convenience.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of chili flakes to the vegetable mixture.
- Serve with a dipping sauce like a yogurt herb dip or tomato salsa for extra flavor.
