Quinoa Pizza Bites
These easy Quinoa Pizza Bites will satisfy your pizza cravings in a healthy way. They’re protein-packed, delicious, and great for parties! (Oh, and did I mention they’re vegan too?!)
Quinoa is delicious as a base for stir fries and Buddha bowls, but if you really want to level up, you can use it to make easy, cheesy vegan Quinoa Pizza Bites.
Just like my Cauliflower Pizza Bites, these bite-sized snacks are perfectly chewy and have all the classic pizza flavours you love. It’s pretty much impossible to eat just one, and that’s just fine because they’re healthy. You can go to town on these!
The other thing I love about this recipe is that it’s versatile. Serve it alongside Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Wings or Loaded Sweet Potato Skins for a game day spread, or tuck them into meal prep lunches with a simple side salad. Kids love them, they’re freezer-friendly, and they’re easy enough to make for a weeknight meal. So many wins!
Best of all, you can customize these Quinoa Pizza Bites with all your must-have pizza toppings. I share some of my favourite ideas below!
Notes on Ingredients
Please note that this is important information on the ingredients and instructions and the FULL recipe with amounts and details can be found DOWN BELOW (scroll to it) in the recipe card.
- Cooked quinoa – Here’s how to cook quinoa.
- Vegan cheese – I recommend mozzarella, Parmesan, or a combination of the two.
- Flax egg – Here’s how to make a flax egg. Alternatively, you can use a store-bought vegan egg replacer.
- Salt
- Pepper
- Marinara sauce – Use homemade marinara or store-bought. You’ll need some for the Quinoa Pizza Bites, and some extra for dipping.
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Add-In Ideas
If you like your vegan pizza loaded with toppings, then you might want to add some additional ingredients to these pizza bites! Here are some ideas:
- Sautéed spinach
- Chopped mushrooms, green bell peppers, or onions
- Crumbled vegan sausage
- Chopped vegan pepperoni
Can I Use Couscous Instead of Quinoa?
Couscous is an excellent substitute for quinoa in most recipes—at least in terms of form and appearance. That said, couscous is not a good source of protein like quinoa is, so your pizza bites won’t pack as much of a nutritional punch if you opt to use couscous instead.
How to Make Vegan Quinoa Pizza Bites
It’s pizza time! Here’s what you’ll need to do to make this recipe.
Prepare. Preheat your oven to 400°F/205°C and grease a 12-cup mini muffin pan with oil or cooking spray.
Make the quinoa mixture. Place all of the ingredients except for 2 tablespoons of cheese in a mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
Assemble. Divide the quinoa mixture into the muffin cups, packing them tightly.
Bake. Place the muffin pan in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Add the remaining cheese, then broil for 30 to 60 seconds, or until the cheese is melted and crispy.
Cool. Let the Quinoa Pizza Bites cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes before removing them. Serve with a side of marinara for dipping!
Tips for Success
Here are some hints and tips for perfect little pizza bites!
- Choosing the right cheese. There are so many vegan cheeses on the market today, it can be hard to decide which to buy! For this recipe, you want one that melts well, so bags of cheese shreds are ideal.
- Getting them to stay together. The flax egg and vegan cheese will help your quinoa bites stick together, but so will compressing them in the muffin cups. Use the back of a small spoon to really press the mixture in.
- Removing the pizza bites. You can run a butter knife along the edges of each cup before popping them out, which will help loosen them a bit.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Place any leftover Quinoa Pizza Bites in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to a week. They can be reheated in the microwave, air fryer, or in a 350ºF oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until warmed through.
Can This Recipe Be Frozen?
This is the type of recipe that’s ideal for freezing! Place the Quinoa Pizza Bites in an airtight container or freezer bag with parchment paper between the layers to keep them from sticking. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months, and they can be reheated with the same methods listed above, just adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Enjoy friends! If you make this vegan quinoa pizza bite recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
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Quinoa Pizza Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- ½ cup vegan shredded cheese + 2 tablespoons for topping
- 1 flax egg
- ¼ teaspoon salt, to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 3 tablespoons marinara sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 teaspoons italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- marinara sauce, for dipping
Instructions
How to Cook Quinoa
- Mix 1/2 cup uncooked and washed quinoa with 1 cup water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil first and then lower heat. Cook the quinoa for about 15 minutes until fluffy. You should get about 1 1/2 cups of cooked quinoa (you only need 1 cup for the recipe, so you could always make extra pizza bites or use it another time).
Quinoa Pizza Bites
- Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C.
- Grease a 12 mini muffin tin pan OR line it with parchment paper with strips over the sides. I found the parchment paper worked best for me!
- Mix all of the ingredients together, except the extra 2 tablespoons of cheese.
- Put a tablespoon into each muffin tin, packing them in.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes.
- Remove from oven and top with remaining 2 tablespoons of cheese. Broil for about 30 seconds to 1 minute (please watch them, they burn easily).
- After broiling, allow to cool on a wire rack for about 15 minutes and then remove from pan.
- Serve with marinara sauce. Enjoy!!
Notes
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
Is there anyway I could use a regular muffin tin? I really want to try these!
Hi McKenzie, thanks so much for reading it should be able to work. You would have to put more in each section which would mean the bake time would have to change.
McKenzie, did you try this? I am wanting to as well and thought I’d check with you first… thanks!!
So yummy! Toddler, mommy and daddy approved ❤️
I have been trying to recreate a quinoa bites recipe that a friend used to make but make it vegan. I have been unsuccessful up until now! This is the answer perfect for what I needed it. Thank you! I will be making these again.
We’re so happy to read this Brooke! Thank you so much!