Quinoa Pizza Bites

These quinoa pizza bites are the perfect toddler quinoa bites or work well as 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 pizza quinoa bites!

When figuring out what to name these healthy toddler quinoa bites, I figured 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.

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

 

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?

That happens to me because quinoa can be so plain and I run out of ideas.

Think about this quinoa bite recipe!

Quinoa Pizza Bites for Kids

Quinoa is a small and messy grain, I know, but quinoa recipes for kids are abundant. The key to making kid friendly quinoa recipes is making sure the quinoa holds together well, so toddlers and babies alike can grab it. 

Like this pizza veggie bites recipe, for example. Quinoa patties are another great way to hold quinoa together for quinoa recipes for kids and make for a great quinoa appetizer. 

Specifically, I think this makes for a great quinoa recipe for toddlers, though, 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. 

These are also an easy way to introduce veggies and gluten free pizza bites for baby, too. They hold together well so once baby can grab food, this can be a great option for baby led weaning. 

I plan on writing more about baby led weaning once our second little one arrives and we do solids. It worked REALLY well for Camryn. I truly feel like it’s why she’s such a great eater, and we’re lucky she’s not a picky eater. 

Ingredients For Quinoa Pizza Bites

You really only need 6 key ingredients plus some spices to make this quinoa appetizer or quinoa snack recipe. If you don’t like kale in these kale and quinoa bites, leave it out or try spinach. 

• Quinoa- The start of the show. Make sure to cook your quinoa first. We buy ours in bulk from Thrive Market so 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!
• Tomatoes – Both fresh and canned will work. 
• Spinach or kale – I like to add a handful to increase the nutrition but this can be optional
• Shredded cheese – Mozzarella or cheddar are my favorites and then I add some parm on top!
• Egg – This is important to hold the pizza bites together! Eggs act as a binder. 
• Spices – garlic powder, red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning

Of course, feel free to add in any additional add in’s! Diced zucchini or shredded carrot would also be delicious.

The red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, garlic salt and mozzarella cheese help give these quinoa bites the best pizza flavor. 

Make Gluten Free Quinoa Bites with Any Veggies

To make these mini pizza bites with quinoa, decide what veggies you want to include. You can customize these mini pizza baby led weaning bites how you’d like. 

We like to shred up some spinach or kale, and add some canned tomatoes to make them juicier. 

First, you’ll cook your recipe and let it cool.

You only need 1 cup of cooked quinoa, so we tend to make a bunch of quinoa at once, and double the recipe so we can toss quinoa bites on pasta, salads or just have as a snack!

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Mix the ingredients for the meatball and quinoa recipe in a bowl and roll into small quinoa meatballs shape. 

Put them on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper and then you just bake them for 13-16 minutes. 

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

Can You Freeze Quinoa Balls?

Yes, we actually plan on freezing a bunch before the new baby arrives next month.

To freeze after baking, just let them completely cool. Then, store them in a freezer-friendly ziplock bag (we love these reusable ones). 

Then, just reheat in the microwave when you’re ready to eat them. I know when life is busy, Camryn will be thankful we made these toddler quinoa bites in bulk ahead of time. 

Checkout some of my other kid friendly quinoa recipes:

• Mango Quinoa Salad
• Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
• Lemon Herb Cheesy Quinoa
• Sweet Potato Quinoa Beet Breakfast Scramble

 

Quinoa Pizza Bites (Easy Veggie Quinoa Bites)

Yield: 12 quinoa bites

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Additional Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

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.

Print

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa, cooked and cooled
• 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 red pepper flakes

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.
   
   

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 58Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 109mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 3g

Save it For Later

And please don’t forget to tag me on social (@bucketlisttummy_rd) if you make it. I’d love to see and reshare it! Or, leave a review if you love them. 

 

What’s your favorite way to use quinoa?