This healthy, gluten-free kid-friendly quinoa recipe is a must-try! Quinoa Pizza Bites make a nutritious meal or snack the whole family will love. The perfect pizza alternative that’s so easy to make.
Eureka! We found a healthy quinoa recipe for kids! Every single one of our 4 adorable yet discerning kiddos actually likes. It’s definitely a Healthy Food Recipe, and it’s super easy to make! It’s like finding gold! Quinoa Pizza Bites are delicious and a great alternative to traditional pizza, usually high in fat and sodium.
These make a great recipe to feed your toddler!
If you want to Cook Your Quinoa Perfectly, follow this easy tutorial.
Over the years, we’ve tried a kazillion recipes that we think the kids will like, only to have a ton of leftovers that no one will eat. We literally thought we struck it rich the day every one of the kids thought this recipe was super good!
The only other recipe they have all agreed on lately is this yummy Tater Tot Casserole.
Maybe it’s because it has the word pizza in it. Who knows. It’s a winner in our house.
Kids love oatmeal bars for a healthy snack or this Crockpot Pizza Casserole.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Quinoa
If you don’t know quinoa, the superfood, let me introduce you.
Quinoa seeds {yes, it’s a seed, not a grain} contain all the essential amino acids like lysine and small quantities of calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Quinoa also provides small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. It’s also considered a complete protein…what other seed or grain can do that?
Quinoa is gluten-free and easy to digest, so those with sensitivities can enjoy this one.
How to Make Gluten-Free Quinoa Pizza Bites
With your leftover cooked quinoa, these Pizza Cups can be on the table in 20 minutes and only requires one bowl for prep. (That’s my kind of recipe!)
Step 1 – Preheat Your Oven + Prep Pan
First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Spray the inside of the muffin pan with non-stick spray.
Gather your ingredients. (You can use cheddar or mozzarella.)
Step 2 – Mix Ingredients
Next, place all your ingredients, except your parmesan cheese and pizza sauce, in a medium bowl. Stir to combine.
Step 2 – Fill Cups
Now, fill the mini muffin cups, and you’re ready to bake!
Step 3 – Bake
Finally, top with parmesan cheese and broil for 30 seconds to a minute. Watch closely so they don’t burn. Your Quinoa Pizza Bites are done when they’re golden brown.
Tips & Tricks
- Depending on your preference, you can use any cheese for this recipe, but mozzarella is our top choice for the best Quinoa Bites.
- You can use regular or turkey pepperoni in this recipe.
- For meal and snack prep, doubling the batch is a good idea.
- This recipe is so simple, and the kids can certainly help!
- Quinoa Bites are best served with marinara or kid-favorite ranch dressing.
What Are Good Flavor Combinations?
You can certainly customize your quinoa bites for many flavor combinations.
- To add more nutritional value, try adding shredded vegetables like zucchini or carrots to the recipe.
- Ham and cheese is a wonderful variation.
- Bacon! Yes, bacon is a great addition or stand-alone ingredient.
Can You Freeze Them?
Yes, you can definitely freeze these pizza bites made with quinoa. They are great to pull from the freezer when you’re in a rush or need something healthy.
- To freeze for later, take out of the muffin pan, place individual baked cups on a cookie sheet and then freeze until solid. Then, transfer to a freezer-safe bag. You always want to make sure to prevent freezer burn. To thaw, microwave for 20-40 seconds depending on how many bites you’re reheating.
Note: They keep in an airtight container stored the refrigerator for about a week.
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Kid-Friendly Quinoa Pizza Bites Recipe
Equipment
- mini muffin pans
- mixing bowl
- Mixing spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 3/4 cup shredded cheese
- 2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup chopped pepperoni or veggies (optional)
- Marinara Sauce (for dipping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. and then spray a mini muffin tin VERY well with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Add all ingredients except parmesan cheese and pizza sauce to a large bowl and stir to combine. Fill mini muffin tin cups to the top with the mixture, then place on a prepared baking sheet and bake for 13-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Top with remaining parmesan cheese and broil for about 30 seconds to 1 minute (watch them closely, they burn easily). Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from cups. Serve with warmed pizza sauce.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The recipe was updated with additional instructions and photographs on 1/31/2020.
Everyone loves pizza, right? So give this recipe for Quinoa Pizza Bites a try! Make it with pepperoni, add olives or plain cheese, and watch your kids gobble up the healthy, protein-packed goodness.
If you’re looking for other ways to use your leftover quinoa, try these Mini Quinoa Mini Frittatas. Kids call them cupcake quiches…how cute is that!
There’s a kid-friendly version of this One-Pot Mediterranean Quinoa you’ll love!
Everything is Better in Miniature
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We love using a mini cupcake pan for much more than cupcakes. You have to try these Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups with Cheesecake Filling. YUM! If you don’t have a mini cupcake pan…you should! Everything tastes better in miniature!
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Hi there, what could I replace the egg with?
You’ll need some sort of “binder” to hold it all together. You could try making a chia seed egg, but I am unsure of the results.
Sounds good. Looking fwd to trying it. I have a question about the directions… why do you use a muffin tin AND a “prepared baking sheet”?
Good question, Star. It is the same thing. It should read “prepared baking pan”, which is the muffin tin.
Ahaaa. 😀 Lol thank you.
DELICIOUS! Love all your quinoa recipes. This is perfect for the kiddos.
Glad you liked it! Our kids ask for just all the time!
I am SO excited to make these for my kiddos! They’re going to love it!
Made this for the family and it was a hit!
What a delicious recipe! Very kid-friendly! Love that I can get them to eat quinoa with this recipe!
Oh, yay! Quinoa is so good when it tastes like pizza! 🙂
I do believe my grandchildren would gobble these up quickly. So glad you shared this yummy recipe with us at Merry Monday. Tweeted.
Ahh,thanks, Shirley! I think the grandkids will love them…and you can feel good about giving them something healthy!
These look so yummy! Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
Yes!! It’s so yummy and so great that both the kids and us parents like it too!!
Great recipe, Erin! I can’t wait to try it. 🙂 I bet my kiddos will love it! Thank you so much for sharing it with us at Allergy Free Thursdays!
It’s so nice when you find a kid-friendly, healthy recipe! Enjoy and let me know what your kids think! I need to make some more of these and have them in the freezer for a quick dinner!
These look delicious and so fun!