Description
These Quinoa Pizza Bites are a healthy and savory snack that combine fluffy quinoa, pinto beans, and zesty tomato paste, baked to perfection with a crispy outside. Perfect for a quick bite or party appetizer, these bites are gluten-free and can be made with vegan mozzarella for a dairy-free option.
Ingredients
Scale
Quinoa Base
- 1/3 cup raw quinoa (50g)
- 3/4 cup water (180g)
- 1/8 tsp salt (for cooking quinoa)
Bean Mixture
- 1 cup canned or cooked pinto beans (240g)
- 1/2 cup tomato paste (120g)
- 1 tsp sweetener of choice (5g)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp dried basil (optional)
Cheese (Optional)
- 3 sticks string cheese or vegan mozzarella
Instructions
- Rinse Quinoa: Rinse the raw quinoa thoroughly in a fine mesh strainer under cold water to remove any bitter saponins.
- Cook Quinoa: In a small saucepan, bring water, quinoa, and 1/8 tsp salt to a boil. Once boiling, cover with a lid and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy.
- Preheat Oven: While quinoa cooks, preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit (176° Celsius).
- Prepare Bean Mixture: Drain and rinse the pinto beans. In a large mixing bowl, mash the beans thoroughly with a fork. Add the cooked quinoa, tomato paste, sweetener, onion powder, garlic, the remaining salt, and dried basil if using. Stir all ingredients until well combined.
- Form Bites: Roll the mixture into small balls. If desired, break off small pieces of string cheese or vegan mozzarella and press each piece into the center of each ball.
- Bake: Arrange the quinoa balls on a nonstick or parchment-lined baking sheet. Place on the center rack of the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the outside is slightly crispy.
- Serve & Store: Enjoy the quinoa pizza bites warm or cold. Store any leftover bites covered in the refrigerator for up to five days or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
- Rinsing the quinoa is important to remove its natural bitterness.
- Using vegan mozzarella or omitting cheese makes this snack dairy-free.
- These bites can be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw before reheating.
- For extra flavor, consider adding Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes to the bean mixture.
- Ensure the bites are compact when rolling so they hold their shape during baking.
