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Quinoa pizza bites are perfect as toddler quinoa bites or quinoa appetizers. Filled with greens, tomatoes, breadcrumbs, and cheese, these veggie quinoa bites are great for kid-friendly gluten free meals. 

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Have you ever been in the mood for a pizza snack recipe? Like not a full piece of pizza, but pizza flavor? Enter these easy pizza quinoa bites that the whole family will love.

When figuring out what to name these healthy toddler quinoa bites, I figured easy quinoa pizza bites were perfect because they are like mini pizzas.

Healthy mini vegetarian pizzas for toddlers. Or call them quinoa meatballs if your child likes meatballs.

Sometimes, what you call them makes all the difference. That’s not just the Registered Dietitian part of me speaking – but also the mother part.

I’ve learned that how you name and describe things is very important in kids deciding if they will try them or not.

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Why You’ll Love Quinoa Pizza Bites

• Great for kids and babies – Since they are easy to hold, meatballs are great for kids and babies – I use them a lot in baby led weaning foods for 7 months!
• Quick cooking time – A nutritious snack that is ready in under 20 minutes, great for hungry toddlers!
• Great vehicle for adding veggies– Kids won’t eat veggies? Add them into a meatball and it may be easier with these veggie quinoa bites. Because of this, it’s a great vegetable recipe for toddlers. We happen to love meatballs (bison meatballs, baby chicken meatballs, and turkey meatballs to name a few) and make them often.
• Great after school snack– If you get stuck in the rut of serving up sweet after school snacks, swap in these quinoa pizza balls for a fun change! Just store them in the fridge or freezer in stasher bags.
• Kids can help make them – If you need a task for little hands, involving them in this fun pizza recipe is a great way to pass the time.
• Pizza Flavor – I haven’t met any kids who don’t like pizza. These are great for pizza night! Serving these toddler quinoa bites with pizza flavoring is a great way to serve quinoa to kids and the whole family. They share the delicious pizza flavor of these air fryer pizza bites, just with quinoa. Serve them up to those picky eaters. They hit the pizza cravings for adults, too!
• Easy for meal prep – As I share in my meal prep ebook, cooking in bulk is a great way to re-use ingredients in other ways. You can add these quinoa bites for toddlers to pasta, rice, tortillas, or serve them as is.
• Easy way to use leftover quinoa– This quinoa appetizer recipe is also a great way to use leftover quinoa. You know, when you’re sick of just eating it plain and don’t know what to do with the rest of it? Think about this quinoa bite recipe!
• Gluten-free – If you struggle with finding gluten free toddler recipes, this quinoa pizza bites recipe is just that.

Pizza Quinoa Bites for Kids

Quinoa is a small and messy grain, I know, but offering quinoa recipes for kids can be a great way to introduce this healthy grain.  

The key to making kid friendly quinoa recipes is making sure the quinoa holds together well, so toddlers and babies alike can grab it and it doesn’t disperse anywhere.

Quinoa patties are a great way to hold quinoa recipes for kids together and make for a great quinoa appetizer. 

Since these baby quinoa bites stick together well, you can serve them to babies, too!

I love to serve these or my favorite sweetpotato pizza crust as a 1 year old baby breakfast recipe to mix things up.

I think this makes for a great quinoa recipe for toddlers because they can be so picky and off and on about food.

At least in our house, if it tastes like pizza, it’s usually a go any night of the week. 

Plus, these are essentially plant based meatballs if you’re trying to introduce your toddler or kids to more plant-based eating habits. 

This is one of many of our favorite healthy kid snack ideas! For 15+ other healthy recipes for toddlers and kids, check out our ebook!

Get More Healthy Kids Recipes!

Ingredients

You only need 6 key ingredients plus some spices to make this quinoa snack recipe.

• Quinoa- The start of the show. Make sure to cook your quinoa first. We buy ours in bulk from Thrive Market so we always have some on hand!
• Breadcrumbs – Use gluten free to keep these quinoa meatballs gluten free, but if you’re not gluten free, you can use any kind of breadcrumbs.
• Tomatoes – You can use fresh or canned tomatoes. Canned tomatoes make them juicier!
• Spinach or kale – I like to add a handful of greens to increase the nutrition but this can be optional. You can omit.
• Shredded cheese – Mozzarella cheese or cheddar cheese are my favorites and then I add some parmesan cheese on top!
• Egg – This is important to hold the pizza bites together! Eggs act as a binder and also provide so much nutrition – eggs for kids are great!
• Spices – I’ve used garlic powder, red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning, but change or add as you see fit.

Of course, feel free to add in any additional add in’s or your favorite pizza toppings!

Diced zucchini, black olives, chopped pepperoni or shredded carrots would also be delicious, topped with some fresh basil.

We like to serve with hummus, marinara sauce or pizza sauce, or easy spinach pesto.

How to Make Toddler Quinoa Bites

To make baby quinoa bites, first decide what veggies you want to include. You can customize them however you’d like. 

First, cook your quinoa and let it cool. Or, you can use leftover quinoa that you’ve already meal prepped.

QUICK TIP!

You only need 1 cup of cooked quinoa for these quinoa meatballs, so we tend to make a bunch of quinoa at once, and double the recipe so we can toss quinoa bites on pasta, salads stirfries and more.

Mix the ingredients for the meatball and quinoa recipe in a large bowl and roll into small quinoa meatballs shape. 

Put them on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper and then bake them for 13-16 minutes, or until they are golden brown. 

These pizza quinoa balls are super quick and easy and are one of my tried and true gluten free dinners for kids.

These quinoa bites for babies are great to serve as is. The only thing to modify would be the salt, since babies can’t handle a lot of salt. You can reduce it as needed.

These quinoa veggie bites are one of my favorite postpartum food ideas because they are easy and nourishing. An easy postpartum freezer meal to make ahead of time!

I know when life is busy, future me will be thankful for past me for meal prepping and making quinoa pizza bites in bulk ahead of time.  Freeze them for up to 3 months in stasher bags!

Are Your Pizza Quinoa Bites Not Sticking Together?

If this happens, make sure you aren’t missing the egg or any ingredients.

When you mix the ingredients in a bowl, if they aren’t sticking together, try adding another egg to bind them and a bit of tomato paste.

The soft cooked quinoa and hard breadcrumbs should help form a sturdy meatball shape!

How to Store Quinoa Pizza Bites

Store these quinoa bites in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them after baking.

To do so, let them cool completely. Then, store them in a freezer-friendly ziplock bag (we love these reusable ones). 

Then, just reheat in the microwave or toaster oven when you’re ready to eat them.

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Servings 12 quinoa bites

Quinoa Pizza Bites (Toddler Quinoa Bites)

Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN

These quinoa pizza bites are the perfect toddler quinoa bites or quinoa appetizer. Filled with greens, tomatoes, breadcrumbs, and cheese, these veggie quinoa bites taste like healthy mini pizza bites.

4.67 from 24 ratings

Print Pin

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Additional Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• ¼ cup gluten free breadcrumbs
• ½ cup shredded cheese
• Handful spinach or kale, chopped
• ¼ cup chopped tomatoes
• 1 egg
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1/8 pepper
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• Pinch of red pepper flakes

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions 

1. Cook quinoa as directed. I like to do 1 cup of quinoa to 2 cups of water or broth, but do it slowly to keep the quinoa fluffy.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
3. Lay out a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
4. Mix all of the ingredients in a medium bowl. Roll into small quinoa meatballs, leaving about an inch between each on the parchment paper.
5. Bake for 13-16 minutes, turning halfway through for even cooking.
   
   

Notes

To freeze, let meatballs cool completely and place in a freezer-friendly tupperware container or stasher bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. 

To defrost, place in microwave in 30-second increments. 

Equipment

Reusable Storage Bags – 10 Pack BPA FREE Freezer Bags(2 Reusable Gallon Bags + 4 Leakproof Reusable Sandwich Bags + 4 THICK Reusable Snack Bags) Ziplock Lunch Bags for Food Marinate Meat Fruit Cereal

Happy Andes Red Organic Quinoa 3 lbs – Non Gluten, Whole Grain Rice Substitute – Ready to Cook Food for Oats & Seeds Recipes – Healthy Meal with Vitamins & Protein – Best Value Grocery Bag

Michelle Farms Gluten Free Italian Bread Crumbs, 9 Ounce

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 58kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 3gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 109mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1g

Did you make this recipe?Let us know how it was!