Quinoa Nuggets

These chewy, seasoned snacks are packed with plant-based protein and tasty to boot. Quinoa nuggets will remind you of the tots you used to have as a kid. Pair with your favorite dip for a delicious and nutritious snack!

Course Appetizer or Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword quinoa bites, quinoa nuggets, quinoa tots

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 30

Servings nuggets

Calories 45kcal

Author Michelle Cehn and Toni Okamoto

Ingredients

2 cups cooked quinoa cooled
½ cup yellow onion finely diced
¼ cup chives finely chopped
½ cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
vegetable oil for pan frying
vegetable oil spray for air-fryer option
panko bread crumbs for air-fryer option

Instructions

In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the quinoa, onion, chives, flour, salt, and red chili pepper flakes. Mix in the water and lemon juice.
Using your hands, roll the quinoa mixture into 1-inch balls, squeezing tightly in your hands as you go to get the air bubble out and form a dough. Place the balls on a tray or plate. Put them in the freezer for 5 minutes. (If you don't have room in your freezer, you can chill them in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.)
Coat a large frying pan with vegetable oil and place over medium-high heat. Add the nuggets in batches and lightly press on each of them with a spatula to flatten them a little. If necessary, oil the spatula to prevent sticking. Cook the nuggets for 5 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and appears gently fried, and then flip them over. Lower the heat to medium and cook for 5 more minutes.

Notes

Air-Fryer Option:

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (about 5 minutes). While the fryer is heating, coat the nuggets in panko bread crumbs. Lightly spray the nuggets and the fryer basket with vegetable oil spray and cook for 10 minutes.

Oven Baking:

Bake the nuggets on a greased nonstick baking pan at 400 degrees F for 30 minutes, flipping them halfway. Be sure to flatten them before baking.

Nutrition