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Mexican Quinoa Bites

October 11, 2012 by Lindsay 50 Comments

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These Mexican Quinoa Bites make a great appetizer and can also be eaten as a main meal. They're vegetarian,  packed with protein and fiber and taste great with a variety of dipping sauces!

Hi Friends!

As promised, things are back on schedule today! I was going to write my FNCE recap but I ended up spending most of the day yesterday playing catchup- on sleep, on emails, on hubby time. This upcoming weekend will be the first weekend in a month that hubby and I have both been at home together. I can’t wait! Anyways, I whipped up the tasty little bites pictured above for dinner last night and just HAD to share them today!

These Mexican Quinoa Bites make a great appetizer and can also be eaten as a main meal. They're vegetarian,  packed with protein and fiber and taste great with a variety of dipping sauces!

One of the things I miss most when I’m traveling is cooking my own food. I’m a sucker for being in control so I can only tolerate eating out so many times before I get a little stressed out. So, even though I hadn’t been grocery shopping, I headed straight to the kitchen last night to see what I could come up with. The end result was delicious and that’s good news for me because it means that all of the ingredients are things that I almost always have on hand, no matter whether I’ve just gone grocery shopping or haven’t gone for a few weeks.

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Mexican Quinoa Bites

mexicanquinoabite
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Throw your taste buds a miniature fiesta with these easy Mexican bites.

  • Author: Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 c quinoa, uncooked
  • 1 c black beans, cooked
  • 1/4 c avocado, smashed
  • 1 egg
  • 1 red pepper, diced
  • 1/2 c corn kernals, cooked
  • 1/2 c onion, diced
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/3 c ground pepitas (or breadcrumbs)
  • 1/2 c low-fat mexican shredded cheese

Instructions

  1. Rinse quinoa and cook according to package directions.
  2. Combine beans, avocado, peppers, corn and onion in a small bowl and mix well.
  3. Add spices and stir to combine.
  4. Add cooked quinoa (cooled slightly), egg and ground pepitas and mix well.
  5. Spray mini muffin tins with cooking spray and spoon in quinoa mixture.
  6. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.
  7. Remove from oven and let cool 5-10 min in pan.
  8. Gently remove from pan and serve with bbq sauce or salsa.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @theleangreenbean on Instagram

Aren’t they cute? I’m love bite-sized foods. These would make a great party appetizer, tailgate snack or dinner entree!

These Mexican Quinoa Bites make a great appetizer and can also be eaten as a main meal. They're vegetarian, packed with protein and fiber and taste great with a variety of dipping sauces!

I dipped mine in bbq sauce,
hubby topped his with sriracha.

These Mexican Quinoa Bites make a great appetizer and can also be eaten as a main meal. They're vegetarian, packed with protein and fiber and taste great with a variety of dipping sauces!

Next time I might try mixing the bbq sauce in before baking!

Let’s chat!

Bite-size or full-size?
What’s your favorite appetizer?

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

 

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Filed Under: Appetizer, Dinner

About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sandra Laflamme says

    October 11, 2012 at 12:08 AM

    Those look delicious. I just love quinoa but my husband is not ao sure. Perhaps these would make a great app for my next book group. thanks for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
  2. Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says

    October 11, 2012 at 12:42 AM

    such a cool idea to smack the avocado in this! I love bite-sized goodies… maybe a little too much at times. LOL!

    Reply
  3. Court Star @ StarSystemz says

    October 11, 2012 at 3:35 AM

    I am obsessed with muffin tin recipes because #1 they are so easy and #2 they are the perfect size and #3 they are perfectly shaped which makes my life a heck of a lot easier to make appetizers that look appealing for guests! I will have to try this baby out! I just made turkey muffins check out my blog for the recipe I think you will really enjoy them. Love and Shine CourtStar

    Reply
  4. Miz says

    October 11, 2012 at 5:28 AM

    I LOVE my minimuffin tins too.
    for savory all the way…

    Reply
  5. Julie @ ROJ Running says

    October 11, 2012 at 6:43 AM

    These look really amazing. Makes me sad I can’t have quinoa! But what a great idea for taking to a party.

    Reply
  6. HollieisFueledByLOLZ says

    October 11, 2012 at 6:55 AM

    Those look absolutely Delicious. Holy moly will I have to be trying those!

    Reply
  7. lindsay says

    October 11, 2012 at 7:09 AM

    welcome home friend. glad you are getting some quality time with the hubs and doggies soon. These are just brilliant. I shall make and put an egg on top!

    Reply
  8. Danielle @ Clean Food Creative Fitness says

    October 11, 2012 at 7:17 AM

    Love this recipe! These are so cute and would make such a cute appetizer! I’ve been loving quinoa lately and am always looking for new ways to prepare it!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 13, 2012 at 9:58 AM

      awesome! hope you like them!

      Reply
  9. Andrea says

    October 11, 2012 at 7:19 AM

    These are precious!! Adding them to my ‘to make’ list!

    Reply
  10. Linz @ Itz Linz says

    October 11, 2012 at 7:46 AM

    I love all your “bite” recipes!! They are perfect for appetizers! I’m more of a full size kind of person for dinner… but these bites are perfect to bring to someones house!

    Reply
  11. Mo says

    October 11, 2012 at 8:08 AM

    YUM!!! I am the same way – I can only stand eating out so much before I NEED to return home & cook. Nothing beats a home cooked meal!

    Reply
  12. Lindsay @ Lindsay's List says

    October 11, 2012 at 8:25 AM

    how cute!! pinning now!

    Reply
  13. Laura says

    October 11, 2012 at 8:27 AM

    Just pinned! They are the cutest… and we’re hosting friends next weekend, I think I’m going to make these as an appetizer!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 13, 2012 at 9:58 AM

      yay!!! let me know how it goes!!

      Reply
  14. Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family says

    October 11, 2012 at 8:29 AM

    These look so freaking good!!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 13, 2012 at 9:58 AM

      thank you!!!!!! aren’t they cute 🙂

      Reply
  15. Alexis @ Hummusapien says

    October 11, 2012 at 8:35 AM

    I NEED a mini muffin tin! Everything is better pre-portioned…even if it means I eat like ten 🙂 These look awesome, Lindsay!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 13, 2012 at 9:58 AM

      oh girl, yes you do! go buy one ASAP!

      Reply
  16. Allie says

    October 11, 2012 at 10:07 AM

    I definitely love bite-sized for appetizers or any time there are a lot of different food options–then I can taste it all! But regular meals? I love to go gigantic, haha. Ridiculously large omelets, giant bowls of salad, oh yes!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 13, 2012 at 9:57 AM

      haha i seem to like either mini or giant! in between is just boring!

      Reply
  17. Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says

    October 11, 2012 at 10:14 AM

    Oh man, I’m so excited to see another quinoa recipe. I <3 quinoa. Now I have an excuse to buy a mini muffin tin!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 13, 2012 at 9:57 AM

      everyone needs mini muffins!

      Reply
  18. Brittany @ GOtheXtraMile says

    October 11, 2012 at 10:18 AM

    These look amazing!!!! Yum!

    Reply
  19. Melissa @ Live, Love, & Run says

    October 11, 2012 at 10:34 AM

    Ohhhhh, I’m makin’ these babies in the next day or two!!! I’ll take pics.;)

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 13, 2012 at 9:56 AM

      yay!!! can’t wait!!

      Reply
  20. Lauren says

    October 11, 2012 at 11:56 AM

    Yum! I may try these out tonight! My husband won’t often eat vegetarian, so when he’s gone at work, that’s my pleasure. I’m really liking the look of your blog! It’s much cleaner and easier on my eyes! 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 13, 2012 at 9:57 AM

      hope you like them!

      Reply
  21. Iris says

    October 11, 2012 at 12:01 PM

    These are adorable! And they look delicious too – I would definitely add Sriracha like your husband did (I’m a Sriracha fiend). 😉

    Reply
  22. Amanda @RunToTheFinish says

    October 11, 2012 at 12:13 PM

    Yes! I am pinning this now so I can remember it. I saw your instagram and have been dying to see the recipe!

    Reply
  23. Paige @ Your Trainer Paige says

    October 11, 2012 at 1:07 PM

    Gosh these sound insanely delicious, Lindsay!

    Reply
  24. Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says

    October 11, 2012 at 3:45 PM

    These look awesome!! Can’t wait to hear your recap!!

    Reply
  25. sarah k @ the pajama chef says

    October 11, 2012 at 4:18 PM

    i made something like this over the summer. i’m sure they are great!

    Reply
  26. Kierston says

    October 11, 2012 at 6:23 PM

    Love mini bites! These look delish! Pinning 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 13, 2012 at 9:56 AM

      thanks so much!!

      Reply
  27. Katie Z says

    October 11, 2012 at 9:27 PM

    Oh my gosh. You are officially a genius. This is so perfect!!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 13, 2012 at 9:56 AM

      enjoy!!

      Reply
  28. Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says

    October 11, 2012 at 10:53 PM

    YUM! Look good to me!

    Reply
  29. Sylvia @ Frolic Through Life says

    October 11, 2012 at 11:44 PM

    This look amazing. I love everything quinoa, so these look like such happy little quinoa muffins!

    Reply
  30. Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings says

    October 12, 2012 at 9:42 AM

    Yum! These look delicious 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 13, 2012 at 9:51 AM

      thank you!

      Reply
  31. Dani - That Fitness Chic says

    October 13, 2012 at 10:45 PM

    Those look SO GOOD! I love all your recipes…. Just another fun thing to try with quinoa thats not SALAD! Thanks for sharing!
    Dani
    http://www.thatfitnesschic.blogspot.com

    Reply
  32. Kam says

    October 15, 2012 at 12:32 AM

    Dan and I (from Perth) made these for lunch yesterday, they were a hit! Thanks for the great idea. Sending foodie love from down under!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 15, 2012 at 6:31 AM

      ahhhh! yay! so glad to hear it 🙂

      Reply
  33. Kristi Rimkus says

    October 16, 2012 at 10:27 PM

    It’s recipe is on my appetizer list for sure. What a great way to get the family to eat quinoa.

    Reply
  34. Roughly A Runner says

    October 17, 2012 at 5:36 PM

    This is genius. Abso-effing-lutely genius.

    That is all.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 22, 2012 at 8:56 AM

      haha well thank you 🙂

      Reply
  35. Pam says

    February 27, 2014 at 8:51 AM

    These look amazing! Can these be baked a day in advance? I have a Mexican themed Potluck lunch at work and wont be able to make them “fresh” that same day. What do you think?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      February 27, 2014 at 8:56 AM

      I think they’d be ok. I’ve reheated leftovers before and they were fine.

      Reply
      • Pam says

        February 27, 2014 at 9:52 AM

        Awesome! Thanks for your quick response. I’ll let you know how they turn out. 🙂

        Reply

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Lindsay Livingston The Lean Green Bean Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

I'm a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

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Learn how food affects your body.

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