Melty, cheesy, savory homemade quinoa pizza bites are such a crowd pleasing easy appetizer or healthy snack recipe!

Why you’ll love these quinoa pizza bites

• Pretty much a guaranteed hit at any game day or brunch party, holiday event, or casual weeknight family dinner. Your next pizza night will never be the same.
• Tastes like cheese pizza in the form of a nutritious, protein packed bite.
• Quick to prepare using basic ingredients, and very easily adaptable to egg free, dairy free, sugar free, low carb, gluten free, oil free, and vegan diets.
• The bites are easily portable, meaning they are a great vegetarian option for potlucks or sports tailgating. (Think, football playoffs, Super Bowl, or March Madness.) Or serve them as a low calorie snack after work or school.
• Their soft, chewy texture delights guests of all ages, and parents appreciate the fiber, iron, and Vitamin C in each quinoa ball. Leftovers? Highly doubtful!

Also try these nutritious Sweet Potato Brownies

Step by step recipe video

Quinoa pizza bite ingredients

The recipe calls for just eight ingredients: quinoa, cooked beans, tomato paste, dried basil, sweetener, salt, garlic, and onion powder.

Quinoa – This can be red, black, or white quinoa, or a combination. Raw quinoa contains a bitter natural coating called saponin, so it is important to always rinse quinoa before cooking.

These bites remind me of a healthier, oil free and baked version of arancini, but I have never tried substituting rice or another grain. If you try it before I do, be sure to report back.

Beans – Use either cooked or canned beans. I like pinto beans or white beans here. While garbanzo beans (chickpeas) technically work, the quinoa balls will be a bit more gritty.

Tomato paste – For best concentrated taste and texture, do not substitute tomato puree or sauce or ketchup for the paste.

Spices – Minced garlic, onion powder, dried basil, and a pinch of salt give these healthy savory snack balls their bold pizza flavor.

Sweetener – Just a teaspoon of your favorite sweetener balances the acidity of the tomatoes. Feel free to use unrefined sugar, brown sugar, stevia, honey or pure maple syrup.

Optional cheese – The recipe is completely delicious whether or not you choose to stuff it with cheese. I’ve found that string cheese works best, and Daiya vegan mozzarella sticks work well for a dairy free option.

While the oven is hot, bake Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

How to make the healthy snack bites

1. Begin by rinsing the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer to remove saponins.
2. In a small saucepan, bring the water, quinoa, and 1/8 teaspoon of the salt to a boil.
3. Once boiling, cover and lower to a simmer for about fifteen minutes, or until water is absorbed and the grains are light and fluffy.
4. Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit or 176° Celsius.
5. Drain and rinse the beans, then mash well in a large mixing bowl, using a fork.
6. Add the cooked quinoa, tomato paste, spices, remaining salt, and sweetener to the mashed beans. Stir evenly incorporate all ingredients.
7. Use clean hands to roll the dough into balls similar in size to meatballs. Place on a nonstick or parchment lined baking sheet, leaving space between the balls.
8. If desired, break off a small piece of string cheese and press it into the middle of each quinoa pizza bite before cooking.
9. Place the pan on the center rack of the oven, and bake for twenty five minutes or until fully cooked and slightly crispy on the outside.
10. Enjoy hot or cold. Once cooled, refrigerate any leftovers in a covered container for up to five days. Or freeze for up to two moths and reheat before serving.

Leftover quinoa? Make Breakfast Quinoa or Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Bites

I recently made them for a baby shower this past month.

Can confirm, the recipe is a big hit with both vegans and non vegans, alike.

The recipe was inspired by these Vegan Meatballs.

More healthy meatless recipes

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Vegan Mac And Cheese

Coconut Curry

Cauliflower Fried Rice

Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole