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Home » Recipes » Vegetarian

Broccoli Cheese Quinoa Bites

By: Kathryn Doherty | Last Updated: May 6, 2025 | Published: Aug 10, 2017
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Broccoli cheese quinoa bites are an easy, wholesome finger food for toddlers — and adults! They go great with Ranch and are perfect for school lunches!

A stack of broccoli cheese quinoa bites on a small white plate set on a green napkin.


 

I have partnered with Produce for Kids on this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

So when my little ones turned into toddlers and started feeding themselves more, I sorta panicked.

I had mastered homemade baby food and they were both BIG eaters!

But I was suddenly short on wholesome finger foods they would actually pick up and eat themselves.

Anyone but me have that experience?

Overhead shot of cheesy broccoli quinoa bites on a white plate with a bowl of carrots and a bowl of Ranch dressing to the side.

Mine would chow down on some homemade pureed peas, broccoli and cauliflower, combinations of chicken and pears, salmon and sweet potato, and on and on.

But when you make bite-size portions of those real foods and they won’t even put it in their mouth to realize how much they like it? Well, you gotta get creative.

I did just that with some of my ways to use leftover baby food (tons of ideas there if you got stuck with extra purees too!)

And I know you have to keep offering foods. I’m talking about a dozen times or more before they will give a try to what looks to be a new food – but is actually an old favorite. It’s proven. Really, there’s scientific research. Plus, I’ve lived it.

Broccoli cheese quinoa bites ingredients arranged in separate bowls.
Broccoli cheese quinoa bites ingredients in bowl.

I found that muffins and most things shaped like muffins got at least a bite in my house with each of my kiddos.

And more often than not, that’s all it took. One bite and they started to chow down on whatever concoction I served. (Like these meatloaf muffins that they love and us adults do, too!)

These little broccoli cheese quinoa bites were an instant favorite!

And they still are years later. M and J, who are 6 and 4 now, still happily chow down on these for dinner. Especially when dipped in a little Ranch, which is a new favorite for them.

I’ll also send them in for lunch because they are delicious cold as well (I know, because I eat them, too!)

Broccoli cheese quinoa bites baked in muffin tin.

And today, I’m thrilled to partner with Produce for Kids for their Power Your Lunchbox campaign, which aims to encourage families and classrooms to eat healthier lunches, snacks and weekday dinners this school year.

You can sign up for the pledge to pack a healthier lunchbox at www.PowerYourLunchbox.com. The campaign runs August 7 through Sept. 22 and benefits Feeding America. Such a great cause!

You can also find more recipes developed as part of the campaign — to power YOUR lunchbox this school year! I know I can always use some new ideas!

And be sure to follow along with Produce for Kids on Twitter and Instagram for more recipe ideas and healthy eating information. (And tag them with your creations using the #PowerYourLunchbox hashtag! It's so fun to see what everyone else is making!)

Recipe Notes:

  • Cheese: I usually make these with white cheddar cheese, but mozzarella works too - or a mixture. I also used goat’s milk cheddar when my daughter was younger and still had a milk allergy.
  • Quinoa: I always make these with quinoa so I can get some of that grain into my kids, but you could try using brown rice.
  • Storage: These will keep in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Freezer: They freeze great, too! Once cooked and cooled, pop the quinoa bites into a freezer bag and keep for up to 5 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
  • Reheating: These quinoa bites can be reheated in the microwave for a quick snack. They can also be eaten cold.
  • You can add in ½ cup of finely chopped cooked chicken for some protein.
  • You can add in ½ cup of finely grated carrot - it adds just a hint of sweetness and looks like cheese! (If you do both of those add-ins, you may need another egg as a binder).
A hand picking up a cheesy broccoli mini muffin from a stack on a plate.

(That's my now 6-year-old reaching for one. She still adores these! )

And to round out the meal, you can add some pieces of cooked chicken and fresh fruit to make a plate full of finger food deliciousness.

I hope you give these cheesy broccoli quinoa bites a try if you need a new idea for packing a healthy lunchbox (or just as a dinnertime dish) that the kids will love!

Have a wonderful weekend!

XO,

Kathryn

Stacked mini broccoli cheese quinoa bites on a round white plate set on a green napkin.
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3.96 from 83 votes

Broccoli Cheese Quinoa Bites

Broccoli cheese quinoa bites are an easy, wholesome finger food for toddlers — and adults! They go great with Ranch and are perfect for school lunches!
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Total Time30 minutes mins
Yield: 24 -30 mini muffins

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked quinoa (from about ¾ cup dry quinoa - but I usually cook more and save the extra for another dish or to have on hand)
  • 1 ½ cups raw broccoli, finely chopped
  • 1 heaping cup cheddar cheese, shredded (mozzarella works, too)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • Mix all of the ingredients until well combined.
  • Spoon into a mini-muffin tray sprayed with cooking spray. Pack down the mixture - this helps them hold together once baked.
  • Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, until golden brown.
  • Serve warm or store for later. (See notes below.)

Notes

Storage: These will keep in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They also freeze beautifully! Once cooled, just pop them into a freezer bag and you'll have them on hand for school lunches or quick dinners. You can thaw overnight in the fridge or warm them in the microwave.
Cheese: You can substitute mozzarella for the cheddar. Or use goat cheddar - I did this for my daughter when she had a cow's milk allergy.
Reheating: These quinoa bites can be reheated in the microwave for a quick snack. They can also be eaten cold.
Add-ins: You can add in ½ cup of finely chopped cooked chicken for some protein. Or you can add in ½ cup of finely grated carrot - it adds just a hint of sweetness and looks like cheese! (If you do both of those add-ins, you may need another egg as a binder).

Nutrition

Serving: 2quinoa bites | Calories: 73kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 134mg | Fiber: 1g
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or follow me on Instagram @familyfoodonthetable and tag me in your photo!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary

    August 10, 2017 at 10:30 am

    Have SOOO much fun at the beach, girlfriend! Hopefully by now you actually made it INTO the car. 🙂 We don't have any kids, but that wouldn't stop me from making these cheesy broccoli bites! I have BIG plans to eat them all myself. lol. These look just delicious, girlie! Cheers! XO

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      August 13, 2017 at 7:49 pm

      It was an absolute BLAST!! And yes, I totally love these broccoli cheese quinoa bites too! XO

      Reply
  2. Karly

    August 10, 2017 at 8:05 pm

    These are SO perfect! Couldn't ask for a better protien packed, savory snack to take on the go.

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      August 13, 2017 at 7:50 pm

      Thanks Karly! They really are perfectly portable!

      Reply
  3. Kim Wilson

    August 15, 2017 at 10:31 pm

    These are so good! I made them with the goat cheese cheddar and everyone has gobbled them down in just two days!! Kids love them!! Another winner, Kathryn! Xo

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      August 16, 2017 at 7:18 pm

      Yay, I'm so happy to hear that Kim!! XO

      Reply
  4. Evelina

    June 05, 2019 at 7:53 pm

    Thank you so much! I’ve been running out of healthy lunch ideas for my 11 m.o. , giving these a try today . They look promising

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      June 09, 2019 at 8:52 am

      I hope you and your little one like these little bites Evelina! 😊 I have tons of healthy muffins (both sweet and savory) if you want to check those out too: https://www.familyfoodonthetable.com/category/muffins

      Reply
  5. Sandy

    August 17, 2020 at 4:48 pm

    Hi,
    Would love to try the quinoa cheese broccoli bites.
    What is 11/2 cup of broccoli?
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Kathryn Doherty

      August 17, 2020 at 5:00 pm

      That's 1 1/2 cups - one and a half cups. Hope you enjoy them!

      Reply
3.96 from 83 votes (83 ratings without comment)

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Hi there! I’m Kathryn Doherty, a cookbook author, mom of two, and devoted food and home cooking nut. I’ve got lots of easy recipes to help you get delicious food on the table for your family!

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