🌱 Vegan Quinoa Bites
These crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside vegan quinoa bites are packed with quinoa, vegetables, herbs, and plant-based protein. They’re perfect as an appetizer, snack, lunchbox item, or party food.
Makes: 18–20 bites
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: ~45 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked quinoa, cooled
- 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained, rinsed, and mashed
- ½ cup finely grated carrot
- ½ cup finely chopped zucchini, squeezed dry
- ¼ cup finely diced red onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 3 tbsp water
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup breadcrumbs or panko
- 1 tbsp olive oil
👩🍳 Instructions
- Make the flax binder: Mix ground flaxseed with water and let stand for 5–10 minutes until thickened.
- Prepare the mixture: In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, mashed chickpeas, carrot, zucchini, red onion, garlic, parsley, nutritional yeast, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, breadcrumbs, and the flax mixture.
- Mix well: Stir until everything is evenly combined. The mixture should hold together when pressed. If it’s too wet, add another 1–2 tablespoons of breadcrumbs.
- Shape: Scoop out about 1½ tablespoons of mixture at a time and form into small balls or thick patties.
- Chill: Place the bites on a plate or baking sheet and refrigerate for 15–20 minutes. This helps them hold their shape.
