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.

Easy Quinoa Egg Bites - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (4)

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 can I add to quinoa to make it taste good? ›

Serving suggestions: I love to stir a drizzle of olive oil and clove of garlic into warm quinoa for extra flavor. Other options include chopped fresh spinach or arugula, or massaged kale. Fresh herbs and/or dried spices are nice, as well as grated or crumbled cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, pitted and sliced olives, etc.

Why are my egg bites soggy? ›

Why are my egg bites soggy? If your egg bites are wet, they are either undercooked, no cornstarch was added, or you may have included too many vegetables. Consider sauteeing veggie add-ins beforehand in order to release excess moisture.

What's the best way to eat quinoa? ›

Once you've made a batch of quinoa, you have endless options for using it. Make it the base of your next grain bowl, toss it into a salad, or stuff it into squash or sweet potatoes. It's also at home in soups & wraps, and it pairs nicely with sweet flavors as well as savory.

Do you season quinoa before or after cooking? ›

Spices: I've talked about this before when I shared must-have spices for flavorful cooking, but spices are one of the easiest ways to add flavor to your dish. Think about what flavor profile you're going for and then just add a few dashes of those spices directly into the pot with the quinoa as it cooks!

What can I mix with quinoa? ›

13 Ways To Add More Flavor To Quinoa
  1. Cook it in broth instead of water. ...
  2. Dress it with a vinaigrette. ...
  3. Mix cooked quinoa with caramelized onions. ...
  4. Infuse it with dried fruit and fruit scraps. ...
  5. Add oil and salt to cooked quinoa. ...
  6. Toast uncooked quinoa. ...
  7. Don't skimp on the garlic. ...
  8. Season your water with spices.
Jul 21, 2023

How do you make quinoa not taste bad? ›

The outer cover of quinoa tastes bitter and hence first make sure to rinse it in water well for three four times. And the ratio of quinoa to water is 1:2 while cooking. Once you are done rinsing, measure quinoa and add twice the amount of water to it and let it cook for exactly 20 minutes.

Why do you put cornstarch on egg bites? ›

Cornstarch: It binds the proteins together and absorbs the excess moisture from the veggies. Cornstarch also helps keep the custard in the egg bites from curdling and ensures you end up with a silky smooth texture! Kosher salt: You'll want to play around with the amount of kosher salt depending on the mix-ins you add.

How do I stop my egg bites from deflating? ›

They shouldn't rise too much out of the top of the pan, which is what will prevent them from shrinking later. (If you bake these at 350ºF they will puff up and then shrink as they cool.) Let the egg bites cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before serving.

How do you keep egg bites good? ›

Enjoy warm, or let cool completely then store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat: Place desired amount of egg bites on a plate then reheat in the microwave on high until warmed through – 30 seconds to 1 minute depending on how many you are reheating.

Is it OK to eat quinoa everyday? ›

You can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day. You should avoid eating it if you experience stomachache, itchiness or vomiting after consuming it. A study by Harvard Public School of Health has reported that eating a bowl of quinoa daily is healthy and without any side effects.

How does quinoa burn belly fat? ›

How Quinoa Helps In Weight Loss? Rich dietary fibre and protein increase metabolism, and that makes quinoa good for weight loss. Cooked Quinoa contains five grams of dietary fibre per cup. Eating high fibre foods is often the missing piece when a person is trying to shed weight.

What does quinoa do to your gut? ›

Studies suggest quinoa may improve gut health by enhancing the diversity of beneficial gut bacteria and reducing the inflammatory symptoms of conditions like colitis. Acting as a prebiotic, quinoa supplies the fuel for beneficial gut bacteria, allowing them to thrive.

What happens if you don't rinse quinoa before cooking? ›

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.

Can dogs eat quinoa? ›

But, can dogs eat quinoa? The answer is generally yes. The edible seed is actually an ingredient in some high-quality dry dog foods. Its strong nutritional profile makes it a healthy alternative to corn, grains like wheat, and soy—all starches that are often used to make kibble.

How do you activate quinoa? ›

Activate the quinoa by soaking overnight in cold water. The next day, drain and rinse the quinoa through a fine sieve (the grains are so small that they will wash through a coarse one).

What liquid to cook quinoa in? ›

The basic ratio is 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups liquid. You can use water (season it with a bit of kosher salt), or you can use any kind of broth (we like to use low-sodium broths and add any extra salt to the finished dish as needed). You can also add a bit of dry white wine to the liquid for another layer of flavor.

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.

Should I toast or rinse quinoa? ›

Toasting brings out the oils and rich nuttiness of grains, lending depth of flavor to a variety of dishes. 1. Place the quinoa in a strainer and rinse under running water until the water runs clear, 1 to 2 minutes. Turn the quinoa into a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly.

What happens if you don't soak quinoa? ›

Do you need to soak quinoa before cooking it? In short, no, you don't need to soak quinoa. However, doing so is said to remove phytic acid, which may make it easier for people to digest quinoa. If you just want to remove the bitter flavor from quinoa, rinse it under cold water for about a minute.

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