SAVOURY QUINOA BITES

Your New Favourite Snack Hack

Looking for a snack that’s portable, protein-packed, and plant-based? These Savoury Quinoa Bites check all the boxes. They’re as easy to pop into a lunchbox as a cookie but bring bold, savoury flavour and satisfying nutrition to the table (or your backpack, or your desk drawer).

We originally created this recipe as part of our "Sustain Yourself" workshop with Kinder Weddings —a cooking show style webinar to help folks snack well in their busiest season. These bites are great warm or cold, make an excellent grab-and-go breakfast, and can be personalized with whatever herbs, veggies, or protein boosts you’ve got on hand.

why you’ll love these bites

✔ Satisfying & Nutritious: Quinoa, chia, and oat flour provide a hearty base, while nutritional yeast and smoked paprika add a cheesy, umami-rich flavour.

✔ Super Customizable: Swap in fresh or dried herbs to suit your mood or stay local with what’s in season, crumble in tofu or tempeh for a protein boost, or add sun-dried tomatoes, olives, or even chopped spinach.

✔ Perfect for Meal Prep: These keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days, so you’ll always have something wholesome and ready.

The recipe

Ingredients:

✔ ⅓ cup quinoa

✔ ⅔ cup water (for cooking quinoa)

✔ ⅓ cup ground chia seeds

✔ 1 cup water (for chia gel)

✔ ¼ cup nutritional yeast

✔ ½ tsp salt

✔ ½ tsp black pepper

✔ ½ tsp smoked paprika

✔ ½ tsp baking powder

✔ ⅓ cup oat flour

✔ 2–3 tbsp oil (we like olive or avocado)

✔ ¼ - ½ cup chopped herbs (see ideas below)

✔ Optional: 100–120g crumbled tofu or tempeh

✔ Optional add-ins: chopped sun-dried tomatoes, olives, or your favourite flavour boosters

Instructions

1. Cook the quinoa
   ✔ Add quinoa and water to a small pot with the lid on. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer.
   ✔ Cook until the water is absorbed (10–15 minutes), then fluff and set aside.

2. Prepare the chia gel
   ✔ Stir together ground chia and 1 cup water. Let sit for 5–10 minutes to form a gel.

3. Mix the dry ingredients
   ✔ In a large bowl, combine nutritional yeast, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, baking powder, and oat flour.

4. Combine everything
   ✔ Add cooked quinoa, chia gel, oil, herbs, and any optional add-ins to the dry mixture. Stir well.
   ✔ If the mixture feels too dry, add water 1 tbsp at a time until it holds together without being wet.

5. Shape the bites
   ✔ Using a muffin tin? Lightly oil each well and press the mixture down firmly into each.
   ✔ Using a baking sheet? Line it with parchment or a silicone mat. Shape about 12 small patties, compressing them slightly, and space evenly on the tray.

6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, until the tops look dry and are just beginning to brown.

7. Cool for 5–10 minutes before removing from the pan. Cool completely on a rack.

8. Enjoy!

Store in the fridge and eat within 5 days. Delicious warm or straight from the fridge.

Flavour ideas

Get creative with the herbs! Some of our favourite combos:

✔ Basil & Oregano

✔ Dill & Thyme

✔ Rosemary & Lemon Basil

You can also fold in flavour bombs like sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, or caramelized onions for an extra punch.

bonus tip

Pair these with our Protein-Packed Cookies for the ultimate sweet + savoury snack combo. You can find them at Zero Waste Emporium, order via the South Island Farm Hub, or add them on to your weekly meal kit order.

And of course, make dinner a breeze with our locally-sourced, plant-based meal kits: easyvegan.ca/subscribe