Description
Quinoa Pizza Bites are a healthy, savory snack combining fluffy quinoa, pinto beans, tomato paste, and aromatic spices. Baked until slightly crispy on the outside and optionally filled with string cheese or vegan mozzarella, these bites offer a delicious, protein-packed alternative to traditional pizza snacks that are perfect for any time of day.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Quinoa
- 1/3 cup raw quinoa (50g)
- 3/4 cup water (180g)
- 1/8 tsp salt (for cooking quinoa)
For the Bites
- 1 cup canned or cooked pinto beans (240g), drained and rinsed
- 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 (remaining)
- 2 tsp dried basil (optional)
- 3 sticks string cheese or vegan mozzarella (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse Quinoa: Rinse the quinoa thoroughly in a fine mesh strainer to remove its natural saponins, which can give a bitter taste.
- Cook Quinoa: In a small saucepan, bring water, quinoa, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pot and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy.
- Preheat Oven: While the quinoa cooks, preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C) to prepare for baking the bites.
- Prepare Bean Mixture: Drain and rinse the pinto beans thoroughly. In a large mixing bowl, mash the beans well using a fork. Then add the cooked quinoa, tomato paste, onion powder, garlic, remaining salt, dried basil if using, and sweetener. Stir everything together until evenly combined.
- Form Bites: Roll the mixture into small balls to form the pizza bites. If desired, take small pieces of string cheese or vegan mozzarella and press them into the center of each ball to create a cheesy center.
- Bake: Place the quinoa balls on a non-stick baking sheet or one lined with parchment paper. Bake in the center rack of the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the bites are slightly crispy on the outside.
- Serve and Store: Enjoy these savory quinoa pizza bites hot or cold. Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to five days, or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
- Rinsing quinoa is crucial to remove the natural bitter coating called saponins.
- You can substitute the string cheese with a vegan mozzarella alternative for a dairy-free version.
- These bites can be a perfect snack or appetizer and are great for meal prep.
- Adjust spices and sweetener to taste depending on your preference.
- Freezing leftovers helps retain freshness for up to a month.
