Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Bites Recipe
These Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Bites are a savory and nutritious snack or appetizer, combining fluffy quinoa, fresh broccoli, and melted cheddar cheese into bite-sized delights. Perfectly seasoned and baked to a golden finish, they are great for a healthy snack or party platter.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 bites 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Main Ingredients
- Cooking oil spray (as needed)
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup quinoa (uncooked)
- 1 small head of broccoli (finely chopped)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 large eggs
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- Ground pepper (to taste)
- Prepare the Quinoa: Preheat your oven to 350°F and generously spray a muffin tin with cooking oil spray. In a saucepan, combine 1 ½ cups vegetable broth and 1 cup quinoa. Simmer for about 15 minutes until the quinoa is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. Let it cool for 10-15 minutes, then fluff with a fork and transfer to a medium bowl.
- Chop the Broccoli: Finely chop the small head of broccoli into small, even pieces and add it to the bowl with the cooked quinoa.
- Mix Ingredients: Add 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, ½ cup crumbled feta cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, kosher salt, ground pepper, and 2 large eggs to the quinoa and broccoli mixture. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly combined. If the mixture seems too dry, add an extra egg to help bind the ingredients together.
- Fill Muffin Tin and Bake: Spoon the mixture evenly into the prepared muffin tin, gently pressing it down to compact the mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes until the bites are set and lightly golden on top. Let the bites cool in the tin for a few minutes before removing and serving.
Notes
- You can substitute cheddar cheese with a milder cheese or use a vegan cheese alternative to make it dairy-free.
- For a gluten-free option, ensure that your vegetable broth and seasonings are certified gluten-free.
- These bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in a microwave or oven before serving for best texture.
- Adding an extra egg helps the mixture bind better if it looks too dry.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite (approx. 50g)
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: broccoli bites, quinoa snack, cheddar cheese bites, healthy appetizers, vegetarian snacks, easy baking recipes