Cheesy Veggie-Quinoa Bites

This is by far my favorite vegetarian quinoa recipe. My 2-year-old went crazy eating them. He couldn't even tell there were veggies in it! He asked for seconds... and thirds.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Calories: 43 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ⅓ cups water
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil, or as needed
• 3 carrots, shredded
• ⅔ cup quinoa
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, or more to taste
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds (Optional)
• 1 tablespoon flax seeds (Optional)
• ½ cup cauliflower florets, or more to taste
• ¼ cup chopped fresh kale

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add cauliflower, cover, and steam until tender, 2 to 6 minutes.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a mini muffin tin with oil.

Step 3

Bring water and quinoa to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain any excess liquid and let cool briefly.

Step 4

Mix cooked quinoa, steamed cauliflower, carrots, Cheddar cheese, eggs, kale, flour, flax seeds, chia seeds, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Spoon mixture into the muffin cups and press down lightly.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until edges are light brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool in pan, about 5 minutes. Remove bites from pan and let cool, about 5 minutes more.