Baked Cheddar Quinoa Bites (Printable)

Savory bites featuring quinoa, sharp cheddar, and vegetables baked for a golden, protein-packed snack.

# What 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

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a mini muffin tin or line with mini 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 incorporated.
03 - Incorporate gluten-free breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, oregano, and smoked paprika, stirring thoroughly to combine all components.
04 - Spoon mixture evenly into prepared mini muffin cups, pressing down gently to compact each portion.
05 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until bites are golden brown and set.
06 - Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're genuinely protein-packed and actually taste good, not like you're eating something because you have to.
  • One batch keeps you fed for days, and they're just as happy eaten straight from the fridge as they are warm.
  • No fancy skills needed, just a muffin tin and five minutes of stirring.
02 -
  • If your quinoa is still warm or damp, the eggs will start to cook when you mix them in, and you'll end up with scrambled-egg-textured bites instead of tender ones.
  • Don't overfill the muffin cups or they'll spill over and bake onto the tin—fill them three-quarters full and let the mixture dome slightly.
  • These freeze beautifully, and reheating them in a toaster oven for five minutes brings back their texture better than the microwave ever will.
03 -
  • If you want extra flavor depth, use vegetable broth instead of water when cooking your quinoa, and the grain will carry more seasoning throughout the bites.
  • Don't skip pressing the mixture into the muffin cups—loose bites will fall apart, but gently compacted ones hold together beautifully even after freezing and reheating.
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