Easy Quinoa Egg Bites - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (2024)

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Ready for a simple, make-ahead breakfast that’s great for on-the-go? These Easy Quinoa Egg Bites are just the ticket to fuel you for the morning.

Love eggs? Got extras that need using? Be sure to check out our recipes for what to make with eggs.

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Over the last year or so, I’ve done something I never thought could happen. Lose over 20 pounds.

I know, right?

Amazing.

After years of trying a number of different fad diets, battling thyroid disease, and exercising until I was blue in the face, turns out the answer was in my kitchen.

Increasing my vegetable intake, drinking more water, and toning down my carbs late at night have all helped me get back to where I was prior to my thyroid freaking out. (It was hyper so the meds slowed everything down and I ended up gaining more weight than I ever had in my life.)

One of the strategies I used to keep to my nutrition system was to make sure that I had a hearty, protein-filled breakfast every morning. I alternated betweenGreek Yogurt With Muesli,Skillet-Poached Eggs, and these Easy Quinoa Egg Bites.

Get Meal Plan 7This recipe is featured in Good Cheap Eats Meal Plan 7. Get the free 3-day meal plan, all the budget-friendly recipes, tips for what to do with leftovers, and the customizable printable grocery list.

Easy Quinoa Egg Bites

These miniature egg casseroles feature quinoa, eggs, veggies, and cheese. They are a delicious for meal prep and a great way to use up little bits of odds and ends you’ve got in the fridge.

Easy Quinoa Egg Bites - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (3)

What is Quinoa?

I first heard about quinoa in 2003, long before it was cool. I lived in a rural California community. While we didn’t have a Starbucks, I did have a circle of friends who ground their own wheat and prepared “qwi-noah”.

We didn’t know it was pronounced, keen-wah. What can I say?

I didn’t like it for a long time, but over the last decade and half, quinoa has grown on me.

In case you didn’t know, quinoa is a pseudo-cereal that’s got a fair amount of protein in it. It was considered the “mother grain” by the Incas and is still an important food in South American cooking. Containing all eight essential amino acids, it’s considered a super-food/complete protein.

Besides that illustrious back story, it’s tasty in egg dishes, soups, salads, and chilies as well as a hearty side dish.

After you’ve made these Quinoa Egg Bites, be sure to make these yummy things:

  • Quinoa Chili with Three Chiles
  • Quinoa Salad to Make You Swoon
  • Quinoa Vegetable Salad
  • Easy Chicken Quinoa Bowl
  • Quinoa Pilaf

For best results, buy quinoa that’s been pre-rinsed. Rinsing is required to remove bitterness from the grain. Buying it pre-washed, saves you the hassle.

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Can you use different fillings in this recipe?

Yes! Besides being amazingly addictive, this recipe’s versatility game is strong. Feel free to mix up the cheese, vegetables, and onions with whatever you have on hand.

Consider these flavor combinations:

  • ham, swiss, and kale
  • feta, spinach, and tomato
  • bacon, goat cheese, and bell pepper

Can you freeze quinoa egg bites?

Yes! I love to make a big batch of these and stash them away in the freezer. Prepare the recipe and allow the bites to cool completely. Wrap, label, and chill in the refrigerator until very cold before storing in the freezer.

To serve: reheat in the microwave or allow to thaw in the refrigerator to eat cold or at room temperature.

Easy Quinoa Egg Bites - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (5)

How to Make Quinoa Egg Bites

This is a super simple recipe that allows you to use up leftover cooked quinoa as well as whatever veggies, meat, and cheese you have on hand.

  1. Preheat the oven to 350.
  2. Assemble your ingredients so you don’t forget anything. Cook, slice, or shred whatever needs prepping.
  3. Beat the eggs in a large mixing bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper
  4. Add the mix-ins. Stir well to combine.
  5. Scoop the mixture into mini muffin pans. If you use USA pans, you won’t need to spray the pan. If using other baking dishes, be sure to grease it well.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove to a rack or platter and serve.

How can I make this recipe economically?

This recipe isn’t expensive to make, even from scratch. However, there are things that you can do to make your sweet treat even better.

  • Stock up on ingredients when they are on sale.When you see a good price on quinoa, stock up and stash for later.
  • Use up leftovers. This is a great recipe for using up whatever you have left from dinner: obviously quinoa, but also shredded or crumbled cheeses, chopped onion, and cooked veggies and meat.

How Imake this recipe easily:

This recipe really couldn’t be easier than it is, but having the right kitchen tools can really make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable. Over time, I’ve honed my collection so that they are perfect for my needs.

Here are the tools that I use for this recipe:

Easy Quinoa Egg Bites - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (6)

Easy Quinoa Egg Bites - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (7)If you prepare this recipe, be sure to share a picture on social media and hashtag it #GOODCHEAPEATS. I can't wait to see what you cook up!

Easy Quinoa Egg Bites - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (8)

Easy Quinoa Egg Bites

Ready for a simple, make-ahead breakfast that's great for on-the-go? These Easy Quinoa Egg Bites are just the ticket to fuel you for the morning.

4.87 from 22 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer, Breakfast, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 24

Calories: 38kcal

Author: Jessica Fisher

Ingredients

  • 4 egg
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • ¾ cup cooked quinoa
  • 1 head broccoli cut into small florets, 1 ¼ cup
  • 4 oz cheddar cheese (shredded) (1 cup)
  • 1 green onion chopped

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350. If using a muffin pan that needs greasing, spray it with nonstick cooking spray.

  • Assemble your ingredients so you don't forget anything. Cook, slice, or shred whatever needs prepping.

  • Beat the eggs in a large mixing bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the mix-ins. Stir well to combine.

  • Scoop the mixture into mini muffin pans. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove to a rack or platter and serve.

Notes

To freeze: allow the bites to cool completely. Wrap, label, and chill in the refrigerator until very cold before storing in the freezer.

To serve: reheat in the microwave or allow to thaw in the refrigerator to eat cold or at room temperature.

Nutrition

Calories: 38kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 42mg | Potassium: 40mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 121IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Tell us what you think! Your reviews help us develop better recipes and give newcomers the confidence to try your favorites. Scroll down to leave a starred comment.

Easy Quinoa Egg Bites - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (9)
Easy Quinoa Egg Bites - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What to add to quinoa to make it taste good? ›

Lemon Herb Quinoa: This is one of my go-to side dishes to serve with meat. It is made by cooking quinoa with onion and garlic and then mixing it with lemon juice, lemon zest, and fresh parsley. Quinoa Lentil recipe: Cooking quinoa and green lentils together is a great way to flavor otherwise tasteless quinoa.

What is the healthiest way to eat quinoa? ›

Toss it in salads.

Quinoa is a complete source of protein and makes a great addition to a healthy salad. The combination of fiber, protein and healthy fats can turn a light side salad into a robust entrée.

Why are my egg bites soggy? ›

If your egg bites turn out soggy, it's likely due to either undercooking or including too many vegetables. If you've added more vegetables than my recipe suggests, consider sautéing them to reduce excess moisture.

How long does quinoa take to cook? ›

Transfer quinoa to a medium pot with water (or broth) and salt. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer, uncovered, until quinoa is tender and a white "tail" appears around each grain, about 15 minutes. Cover and set aside off the heat for 5 minutes; uncover and fluff with a fork.

Is quinoa healthier than rice? ›

Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice. A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.

What makes quinoa better? ›

Unlike most plant-based foods, quinoa is a complete protein, which means it contains all of the essential amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of the proteins that make up your muscles, bones, skin, and blood.

Does quinoa burn belly fat? ›

Quinoa: High in protein, quinoa keeps you full with its high levels of plant-based proteins. It decreases your appetite and promotes belly fat decrease.

What are the effects of eating quinoa everyday? ›

The Bottom Line. Quinoa is a great whole-grain source and has a high fiber content for optimal digestion, steady blood sugar and lower cholesterol, among other potential benefits. It is also an excellent grain option for people with celiac disease.

Is quinoa a protein or carb? ›

Quinoa is considered a carbohydrate because it contains many carbs per serving. Although it contains some protein, the macronutrient distribution is closer to what you find in other grains and starches.

Why did my egg bites fall apart? ›

If you notice that your egg bites are collapsing in the oven, you may be over-beating your eggs during the mixing stage. When we cook eggs in a pan, whipping them really well will create a wonderfully fluffy and full scrambled egg texture.

Why put cornstarch in egg bites? ›

If you are wondering how to make egg bites fluffy, smooth, and deliciously creamy, follow these tips: What is this? Add cornstarch to the egg mixture in order to prevent coagulation of the protein and/or curdling, giving the egg bites a smooth, creamy-like texture. Blend the egg mixture.

How to make egg bites that don't stick? ›

If you don't have a nonstick pan, a good alternative is a silicone mold. It'll allow you to easily to pop out the egg bites!

What happens if you dont rinse quinoa? ›

It wasn't a huge difference in texture, but definitely noticeable. Rinsing quinoa definitely starts to hydrate the seeds. Flavor – In terms of flavor, the unrinsed quinoa definitely had a nuttier, earthier flavor, but I didn't find it bitter at all. The rinsed quinoa was definitely milder and the flavors more muted.

How much does 1 cup of quinoa make? ›

Now that your quinoa is rinsed or toasted, it's time to cook it. For 1 cup of uncooked quinoa, you'll want to use 2 cups of water—this will yield 3 cups of cooked quinoa.

What does quinoa go well with? ›

Quinoa's got the carbs covered, so you'll likely want to add some additional protein (eggs, lentils, beans, tofu, chicken), a fat (olive oil, nuts, butter, cheese), and, ideally, some kind of fruit or vegetable (broccoli, berries, squash, spinach).

How do you make quinoa not boring? ›

Easy ways to flavor quinoa: Broth: first and foremost, change up the liquid that you're using to cook your quinoa. Rather than using water, try to change it up for broth (veggie, chicken, beef, mushroom, etc). You can also use coconut milk if you're wanting something a little more creamy/tropical.

Should I toast or rinse quinoa? ›

If yours has already been rinsed you can skip this step. To wash quinoa, place it in a fine-meshed strainer and rinse it under cool water for 30 - 45 seconds. Allow the excess water to drain out. Toast the quinoa: Place the quinoa in a large pan and turn on the heat to medium.

Why do I feel better after eating quinoa? ›

Quinoa is a nutritious choice for people looking for plant-based protein sources—it's a complete protein, containing all nine of the essential amino acids. Plus, its dietary fiber may help improve your digestion. Likewise, its fiber and protein content can help make you feel more satiated than other grains.

References

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