Quinoa Patties

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These Quinoa Patties are something special! They will remind you a bit of hash browns, minus all the white carbs. This kid-friendly recipe is one you will turn to again and again. It is perfect for meal prep since they keep well in the fridge, and can also be frozen.

Quinoa Patties are a Game Changer When it Comes to Getting Kids Eating Healthy!

As a mom, there are a hand full of recipes that have been a game-changer for me.

Quinoa Patties are one of them.

The boys were little when I started making them, and getting them to eat healthily was even more of a struggle than it is today.

Neither of them has ever been big fans of quinoa, but as much as I love it, I was determined to find ways to incorporate it into their diet.

At first, I was strictly adding quinoa to pancakes, cookies, and muffins.

I felt pretty sneaky, but it was worth it knowing that my then-early grade schoolers were getting quality nutrition. (Even if there was sugar involved.)

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Then I ran across a recipe for Quinoa Patties in Heidi Swanson’s cookbook, Super Natural Every Day: Well-Loved Recipes from My Natural Foods Kitchen.

It felt like a long shot, but surprisingly both of them liked the quinoa patties and they quickly became a regular in our rotation.

This recipe is a gluten free and more kid-friendly adaptation of Heidi’s original.

More than seven years later, quinoa cakes are still a family favorite. Plus they are the best answer I have to a question I get all the time: What Can You Do With Leftover Quinoa?

They taste like hash browns or potato cakes or …something very unhealthy. I almost felt guilty eating them until I reminded myself that they were, in fact, healthy.

Why You Need Quinoa Cakes in Your Life

I am such a fan of quinoa patties, and they have been a staple in our household for years. There are so many reasons to love them!

They are:

Kid-Friendly – One of the best ways I know to get kids eating quinoa and also sneak veggies in.
Make-Ahead – These hold well in the refrigerator and are perfect for meal prep.
Meatless – We all could use meatless meals from time to time, and these are a fabulous option.
Versatile – It is almost impossible to get tired of quinoa patties because there are so many different ways that you can make them. Try these Blue Cheese Quinoa Patties, Southwestern Quinoa Cakes, or these Pumpkin Quinoa Patties!

Quinoa Patties for Toddlers

When Skye came along, I was determined to getting her to eat these as early as possible. Here is how I did it:

• Omit the cayenne pepper, chives, garlic, and onion.
• Form them into little bite-sized balls and cook as directed.

Can You Freeze Quinoa Patties?

Yes! Quinoa Patties freeze beautifully for up to three months. To freeze, place the patties on a parchment lined baking sheet and cover.

Freeze in a single layer until solid. At this point you can transfer them to any freezer-safe container.

How Do You Make Quinoa Patties Stick Together?

The breadcrumbs and egg help this quinoa patty recipe stick together. You want the proper balance between being moist without being too wet.

When cooking, it is important to make sure the first side is brown before you attempt to flip them. Look for the bottom edges to be golden brown and then flip.

How Many Calories are in Quinoa Patties?

This recipe makes 8 servings and has approximately 195 calories per serving.

What Sauce Should I Serve with Quinoa Patties?

A variety of sauces go well with quinoa patties. Some to try:

• Lemon Dill Sauce from Add a Pinch
• Roasted Red Pepper Sauce from Cooking Light
• Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
• Tzatziki Sauce

Baked Quinoa Patties

These Quinoa Patties may be baked, but they will not come out as crispy.  I recommend spraying them with oil.  Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 10 minutes; flip and bake for 7 more minutes.

Tips & Tricks

• Cooking time can vary depending on the type of pan and stove you are using. My cast iron skillet on a gas stove cooks faster than a regular skillet on an electric stove.  I recommend checking the patties after the first 5 minutes.  They are ready to flip when they are golden brown.
• Make sure that you cut the vegetables up fairly small. If they are too large, you will have a problem with the patties sticking together.

Vegan Quinoa Patties

You can use a flax egg or any egg replacer if you want to make this recipe vegan. Daiya works beautifully in place of the cheese, or you can add in nutritional yeast if you like. (Or get fancy and do both!)

The quinoa patties will not hold together as well when using flax eggs.  Be careful when you are flipping! I prefer to bake them.

Variations

• A variety of cheeses will work well in place of the Parmesan. I love goat cheese and feta, but cheddar, swiss and mozzarella are nice as well.
• My boys have loved garlic since they were little, but if garlic isn’t something your family loves, feel free to reduce or omit. You can also use 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of garlic powder if you don’t have fresh garlic on hand.
• If you would like to add a little kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. (But obviously this isn’t the most kid-friendly option.)

Serving Suggestions

These Quinoa Patties are a meal in and of themselves. (I also love them as a snack and have been known to eat them cold from the fridge.) For dinner, I recommend serving them with a green salad, roasted broccoli or green beans.

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Tools for Making this Recipe:

• Mixing Bowls
• Large Skillet with a Lid
• Wire Rack

How to Make Quinoa Patties

See the recipe card below for the full recipe with measurments.

First, gather your ingredients. You will need cooked quinoa, eggs, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, chives, Parmesan, garlic, gluten free breadcrumbs, and avocado oil.

Next, combine the quinoa, eggs, and seasonings in a medium bowl. Stir in chives, onion, Parmesan and garlic.

3 Add breadcrumbs and stir until well combined. Let sit for a couple of minutes so that the breadcrumbs can soak up some of the moisture.

Form the mixture into small patties.

5 Place a large skillet over medium low heat and add oil. Add the patties to the skillet, being careful not to overload. Cover and cook for 8 minutes. Flip and cook for 7 more minutes on the other side.

6 Allow to cool on a wire rack.

If You Like Quinoa Cakes You May Also Like:

• This Quinoa Tabbouleh Recipe is a fun twist on a classic you love.
• Healthy Chicken Nuggets are nuggets that you can feel good about feeding your little ones. Best of all, kids love them.
• Black Bean and Quinoa Burgers make a filling vegetarian dinner and are perfect for Meatless Monday.
• Quinoa Fried Rice is ridiculously full of flavor and works just as well as a side as it does a vegetarian main.

This quinoa patty recipe is one of the best ways I’ve found to inspire those who think they don’t like quinoa to give it a try. It is highly adaptable, so feel free to play around with it by changing up the cheese and experimenting with different vegetables. (One of my favorite ways to change this us is to add peppery arugula and salty feta.)

Print Recipe

Quinoa Patties

If you are looking for a healthy recipe that can easily be made ahead, these Quinoa Patties are a great option! They are gluten-free, can be baked and have a vegan option. Both kids and adults love this Quinoa Patties Recipe! They taste like hash browns or potato cakes or …something very unhealthy!

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time30 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Healthy, Quinoa

Keyword: quinoa patties

Servings: 8

Calories: 195kcal

Author: Wendy Polisi

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
• 4 large eggs beaten (or flax eggs)
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or Chipotle Chili Powder optional
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2/3 cup fresh chives chopped or parsley (I use a blend)
• 1 onion chopped fine
• 2/3 cup fresh Parmesan grated (or 1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast and 2 tablespoons vegan cheese)
• 1 tablespoon garlic minced
• 1 cup breadcrumbs gluten free
• avocado oil for cooking (About 2 tablespoons)

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• In a medium bowl combine quinoa, eggs, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Stir in chives, onion, parmesan, and garlic.  
• Add breadcrumbs and stir until well combined. Allow to sit for a couple of minutes.
• Form into patties. You and make them any size you like – I prefer to keep them small because it makes for easy flipping.  
• The mixture should be very moist. You may need to add water or extra breadcrumbs to moisten or make the mixture dryer.
• Place a large skillet over medium low heat. Heat avocado oil. Add as many patties as your skillet can handle, being careful not to overload it so that you have trouble flipping the quinoa patties.
• Cover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. If after 10 minutes your patties aren’t brown turn the heat up and cook (carefully to avoid burning) until they brown. Flip and cook for 7 more minutes on the other side.
• Allow to cool on a wire rack, keeping your spatula handy to fend off family members who try to steal them.

Notes

Tips & Tricks for Making Quinoa Patties

• Cooking time can vary depending on the type of pan and stove you are using. My cast iron skillet on a gas stove cooks faster than a regular skillet on an electric stove.  I recommend checking the patties after the first 5 minutes.  They are ready to flip when they are golden brown.

• Making Vegan Quinoa Patties

  • The quinoa patties will not hold together as well when using flax eggs.  Be careful when you are flipping!

• Making Baked Quinoa Patties

  • These Quinoa Patties may be baked, but they will not come out as crispy.  I recommend spraying them with oil.  Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 10 minutes; flip and bake for 7 more minutes.

Variations for Quinoa Patties

• A variety of cheeses will work well in place of the Parmesan. I love goat cheese and feta, but cheddar, swiss and mozzarella are nice as well.
• My boys have loved garlic since they were little, but if garlic isn’t something your family loves, feel free to reduce or omit. You can also use 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of garlic powder if you don’t have fresh garlic on hand.
• If you would like to add a little kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.

Serving Suggestions for this Quinoa Patties Recipe

These Quinoa Patties are a meal in and of themselves. (I also love them as a snack and have been known to eat them cold from the fridge.) For dinner, I recommend serving them with a green salad, roasted broccoli or green beans.

Nutrition

Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 413mg | Potassium: 193mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 350IU | Vitamin C: 3.3mg | Calcium: 154mg | Iron: 2.1mg