Jalapeno Popper Quinoa Bites are healthy, cheesy bite-sized mini mac and cheese muffins made with quinoa, inspired by the popular jalapeno popper. {gluten free}
My family loves quinoa, especially in the form of quinoa bites. They are always helping me come up with new recipes ideas for them, such as Adam’s latest suggestion is quinoa bites with chocolate chips. While a dessert recipe is definitely in the works, today I am excited to share one our latest favorites – Jalapeno Popper Quinoa Bites. This recipe combines two of my most popular recipes (Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Bites and Jalapeno Popper Pasta) into tasty, cheesy, bite-sized quinoa mac and cheese muffins with a jalapeno popper twist. They are also gluten free.
While these Jalapeno Popper Quinoa Bites are plenty cheesy, which I knew my kids love, I wondered if these might end up being too spicy for the kids with all those jalapenos. Then Adam proceeded to have 6 for lunch, 6 more for dinner, meanwhile Greta was pointing to her tray demanding ‘more more more!’ Clearly spicy was not an issue here! If you want to turn up the heat, adding a little hot sauce to the mixture would be tasty.
Jalapeno Popper Quinoa Bites are perfect for a fun weeknight supper or any time you want a healthy indulgence. Not only are they cheesy delicious, but I like that they are made with wholesome ingredients and easily portion controlled around 55 calories per bite. Jalapeno Popper Quinoa Bites are also very easy to make. The quinoa takes about 15 minutes to make (or can be made ahead of time), and then simply combine the ingredients, portion the mixture into a muffin tin and bake. The result is a fun twist on a comfort food favorite, made a little healthier that the whole family will love!
- ¾ cup quinoa, rinsed
- 1½ cups water (or broth)
- 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- ½ cup chopped jalapeño peppers
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons ⅓ less fat cream cheese, cut into small pieces
- 1½ cups Monterey Jack cheese
- In a medium sauce pan, cook quinoa according to package directions. Let cool.
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray mini muffin tins with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, onion, peppers, garlic, eggs, cream cheese and cheese.
- Put a heaping tablespoonful of quinoa mixture into prepared muffin cups. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until edges turn golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes and then gently remove from pan to cool completely.
As part of the #ChooseDreams initiative from American Family Insurance #WeekdaySupper is bringing you recipes for family favorites and comfort foods turned healthy.
Take a look at this week’s Weekday Supper menu for more family favorites made healthy!
Monday – Feel Good Sloppy Joes by Curious Cuisiniere
Tuesday – Crispy Fish Sticks with Roasted Potatoes by Magnolia Days
Wednesday – Fish Tacos with Pineapple Slaw by Savvy Eats
Thursday – Roasted Red Pepper Pesto Pasta by The Messy Baker
Friday – Jalapeño Popper Quinoa Bites by Alida’s Kitchen
For these recipes and more, be sure to follow the Recipes from the Garden #ChooseDreams Pinterest board.
For more information on the American Family Insurance, visit their website & keep in touch on: Facebook | Twitter | Google +| Pinterest | YouTube
Thank you Alida for the nice recipe.
This is such a fun idea!
Are you using a regular size muffin pan or mini? The recipe sounds yummy!
Hi Babs, I use mini muffin pans.
Oh these look so good!
The mix is pretty watery, is 1 1/2 cup water really right?
The water is used to cook the quinoa. Then the cooked quinoa is added to to other ingredients in a bowl.
Thanks Erika!
I made these last weekend with pepper jack cheese. They were so ridiculously yummy! We had them on their own and then later in the week added them to tomato soup like grilled cheese croutons. Awesome! Thanks for the great recipe!
YUM! YUM! I can’t get enough quinoa recipes. Thanks for sharing.
I’m always on the lookout for new quinoa recipes. Love the color contrast of the jalapeno peppers. Thanks for sharing!
Hi! Can you make ahead and freeze? Thanks!
Yes!
can these be rolled into balls and baked instead of a muffin tin?
What a fun recipe, my husband would go ga-ga over these! Great post 🙂 xo