Description
These crispy quinoa patties are easy, healthy vegetarian appetizers with a crunchy golden outside and tender inside. Perfect for quick snacks or party starters, packed with protein and fiber.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa (170g)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (60g), panko preferred
- ½ small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, 30g)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- Olive oil for frying
Instructions
- Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water in a fine mesh strainer until water runs clear.
- Add quinoa and 2 cups water to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Turn off heat and let quinoa sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let cool slightly.
- While quinoa cooks, finely chop onion and mince garlic. Chop parsley and grate Parmesan if using.
- In a large bowl, beat eggs lightly. Add cooled quinoa, onion, garlic, parsley, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir until combined.
- Wet hands slightly and scoop about ¼ cup of mixture. Press and shape into patties about 3 inches wide and ½ inch thick. Place on a plate.
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Fry patties in batches without overcrowding, cooking 4-5 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
- Transfer cooked patties to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Rinse quinoa well to remove bitterness. Use room temperature eggs for better binding. Test one patty first to adjust seasoning and texture. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain oil temperature and crispiness. Patties can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 patty
- Calories: 110
- Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4.5
Keywords: quinoa patties, crispy quinoa, vegetarian appetizers, healthy snacks, easy quinoa recipe, gluten-free option