If you're on the hunt for a delicious and healthy snack or meal that's sure to satisfy, look no further than quinoa fritters! Bursting with flavor, these tasty treats are loaded with protein from wholesome quinoa, plus veggies and spices. They’re perfect for snacking or lunching – and one of my favorite quinoa recipes for kids. Follow along, and I'll teach you how to make this simple family recipe.
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We love these quinoa fritters in our house - I've been making them for over fifteen years. (They appeared in my second quinoa cookbook.)
Without question, they are one of my favorite quinoa recipes for kids. Kid love them and they are a fabulous way to sneak in vegetables.
Unlike quinoa patties, there are no bread crumbs, so they are super-easy to make gluten-free.
Give this recipe a try, and I think you will agree - this one is a keeper!
Ingredients Needed
- Quinoa: I recommend using white quinoa to make quinoa fritters. You can cook quinoa on the stovetop, in an Instant Pot, or use this method for cooking quinoa in a rice cooker.
- Flour: Use gluten free or regular flour.
- Cheese: I like to use sharp cheddar, but you could also use mild cheddar, parmesan cheese, or even mozzarella.
- Onion: Just a little onion adds a lot of flavor. Make sure to chop it very finely if you have kids who don't like the texture.
- Salt and Pepper: Just a little bit of each
- Parsley: Fresh parsley is best, but you can also use dried if that's what you have on hand.
- Eggs: You'll need three eggs to bind the mixture together.
- Oil: For cooking the fritters in a skillet. You can use your favorite oil - coconut oil, avocado oil, and olive oil are all great options.
Tips & Tricks
- Feel free to have fun with this recipe and mix up the flavor profile. Any number of things can be added to these quinoa fritters – like sautéed spinach, kale, red pepper, minced garlic, cayenne pepper and curry powder.
- If you are having trouble flipping the quinoa fritters, chances are that you are trying to flip them too soon. Wait until you see a light browning at the edges before you flip them so that you know the first side has set.
- I've been making this recipe since my boys little. It has always been my favorite quinoa recipes for toddlers. To make this more toddler friendly, you can omit the onion completely and make them even smaller for little hands.
Serving Suggestions
Sauces make everything better, and these kid friendly quinoa fritters are no exception. Kids love these with ketchup, but I like something with a little more flavor for the adults. You can serve these with Greek yogurt ranch dressing, avocado cream, or garlic feta dip.
Round out the meal with a simple veggie side like Instant Pot green beans, broiled tomatoes, braised red cabbage, or roasted shaved brussels sprouts.
Tools Needed to Make
- Large bowl
- Small bowl
- Skillet
- Spatula
Storage
To store the quinoa fritters, allow them to cool to room temperature and then place in an airtight container. They will keep for up to four days in the refrigerator.
If you would like to freeze these fritters, wait until they have cooled completely before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
They can be frozen for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in a skillet or oven. Enjoy!
More Yummy Quinoa Recipes to Try
- Butternut Squash Quinoa Casserole is a fan and family favorite that never gets old.
- Level up the nutrition in your bread with this Quinoa Bread. You won't believe how good it is.
- When you need a vegetarian meal that is sure to satisfy, don't miss these Quinoa Stuffed Peppers.
- This Chicken and Quinoa skillet is an easy weeknight meal that is always a hit.
- Looking for even more quinoa inspiration? Don't miss these 44 Quinoa Recipes for Kids!
30-Minute Quinoa Fritters
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked quinoa
- 1 cup all purpose flour or gluten free flour blend
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 5 eggs beaten
- oil for cooking; coconut oil, avocado oil and olive oil are all good options
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine cooled quinoa with flour, cheese, onion, salt, pepper, and parsley.
- Lightly beat eggs in a small bowl and add to quinoa mixture.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Form quinoa into balls or ovals and carefully add to hot oil. Cook for 3–5 minutes per side, or until a golden crust has formed.
- Drain on paper towels or cool on a wire rack.
- Serve with ketchup or desired dipping sauce.
Notes
- When making quinoa fritters, one thing to keep in mind is that if they are sticking to the pan, the reason is typically that you are trying to flip them before they have cooked enough. Make sure you are seeing browning edges on the underside before trying to flip them.
Sarena
Any thoughts on making these egg free?
Wendy Polisi
You could easily use a flax "egg"! They might not hold together as well but they would still work.
Colleen
This recipe sounds great! Have you ever tried cooking the patties in the oven?
Lisa
Hi, I’d also like to know if these are bake-able... thanks!
Wendy Polisi
Yes, you could bake them! I would try 400 degrees for 20 minutes flipping half way through. You may want to spray them with a little oil so they will crisp up a little.
Meli Nolero
These were amazing! I used mint and a bit of a Moroccan spice blend I have. How big do you make them? How many per serving?
Colleen Conti
Thank you for sharing. These were pretty tasty! Next time I would sauté the onions first (with a little chopped bell pepper) because my girls don’t love them crunchy. I will also try adding maybe a curry powder or seasoning of some sort... or a little more salt. Excited to add these to the menu rotation.
Mary Wood
How many quinoa fritters is a serving?
Kaitlyn
Any thoughts on leaving out the cheese? Will they hold together? (Looking for a dairy free alternative.) thanks!
Wendy Polisi
They should be just fine. I've made them with vegan cheese - which really doesn't help things hold together and they were just fine. You could always add nutritional yeast for a bit of cheesy flavor if you like.
Robin
My recently picky 2 year old and Gordon Ramsey wanna-be husband loved these! Super easy to make as well. Thanks!
Wendy Polisi
So glad he enjoyed it - always a win when you can get kiddos that young eating healthy.
Sarah
Is the measurement for quinoa based on when it is cooked or pre-cooked?
Also how do I convert to grams?
Wendy Polisi
The recipe calls for cooked quinoa. Three cups of cooked quinoa is about a cup raw. To convert to grams, there is a link just below the ingredients that says metric. Click it and the measurements will display.
Heather
Have these been tried in an air fryer instead of a skillet?
Wendy Polisi
I haven't tried it, but it would work well.
Karin G
Can you freeze these? If so would I freeze them before or after I cook them?
Wendy Polisi
Yes! I would freeze them after you cook them.
melissa
My little guy just gobbled his four quinoa bites for lunch. thanks for the easy recipe. I added mushrooms and Herb d'Provence to add some flavour. mmm
Wendy Polisi
So glad that he enjoyed them! Love the additions.
Katherine
My daughter loved these! We are trying to get away from processed foods like mac and cheese. I made these today and made my own home marinara sauce cooking down tomatoes basil and garlic from the garden and then putting them in the food processor. Since we like spicy I also added a little cayenne and some chopped spinach. Thanks for these!
Wendy Polisi
I am so glad that she enjoyed them! Thanks for taking the time to let me know.