Baked Quinoa Patties
Great served hot or room-temperature, these quinoa patties are packed with herbs, kale and creamy feta cheese. Adult and kid-friendly, and perfect for lunches on the go.
Quinoa patties are portable, packed with protein, and adaptable. Even people who are on the fence about quinoa tend to love them, especially the ones you see here. This version is sesame-crusted and boosted with lots of herbs and kale. That said, you can play around with a wide range of accent ingredients and cooking techniques. I initially featured a skillet-cooked version in my book, Super Natural Cooking (2007), but you can bake them as well with great results, and that’s what you see here.
How to Make Quinoa Patties
Quinoa patties come together quickly, particularly if you have a few cups of leftover quinoa on hand. I always cook extra quinoa, knowing it will come together into a quick lunch if I plan ahead a bit. To make quinoa patties you simply combine cooked quinoa, eggs, herbs, breadcrumbs and seasoning in a bowl. The patties are shaped by hand and then baked or pan-fried. They can be enjoyed hot or room-temperature, and, either way, I love them with a bit of hot sauce.
You can see the patties prior to baking above. And then after baking below. I like to sprinkle a few sesame seeds on top for added crunch. Really push them into shape using your hands so that they will hold their shape.
Quinoa Patties: On the Go
I initially highlighted these quinoa patties (below) when a number of you asked about packing meals for flights. I was heading to London - so, a long flight from San Francisco. My strategy for flight meals is an ever-evolving system which (currently) involves a collapsible container, two thick rubber bands, and a plastic fork/spoon thing. All food goes in one container, and I avoid anything liquid to get through security. A good splash of sauce seems to be fine though. For my flight to London, I packed these potstickers. What you didn't see was the way I buried them under a layer of these baked quinoa patties. Not pretty, but great to have on hand. I use a folded piece of parchment paper to divide the dumplings from the patties.
When I stay closer to home, I tend to go the bento or tiffin route - have a look at this page if you’re interested in more on-the-go, feel-good lunch ideas.
Variations:
As long as your base ingredients (quinoa, eggs, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs) hold together into a patty, you can play around with different accents and ingredients. Here are a few ideas I’ve had success with over the years.
- Za’atar Quinoa Patties: Follow the recipe as follows, adding 1 tablespoon of za’atar to quinoa mixture. This is a favorite, especially along with a sesame crust.
- Lemon Madras Quinoa Patties: Skip some of the herbs and stir in 2 teaspoons Madras curry powder and the slivered zest of one large lemon.
- Gluten-free Quinoa Patties: Niki commented, “I substitute ground almonds or walnuts for the bread crumbs - works perfectly.”
- Brussels Sprout Quinoa Patties: VL noted,”I just want to say I made these for a trip this weekend, but used brussels sprouts instead of the kale. They were great!” I can also imagine finely chopped cabbage working brilliantly as well, along similar lines.
There are a bunch of other great substitution ideas down in the comments as well.
A Few Tips!
One thing I've learned over the years of making these is that the quinoa mixture is easier to shape if you allow it to sit overnight, refrigerated. It just holds together better.
Linda Marie commented, “I found that wet hands made shaping the patties easier. Did them in the skillet. Turned out great. Will try baking next time.”
More Quinoa Recipes
Here’s a post about how to cook quinoa along with a bunch of related quinoa recipes. I love this quinoa salad, this double broccoli quinoa, Heather's quinoa, and these little kale quinoa bites. And here’s where you can get more inspiration for feel-good lunch ideas. These quinoa patties are great tucked into a bento situation along with edamame, a bit of coleslaw, and bit of spiced avocado.
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Baked Quinoa Patties
I baked these, but you can pan-fry them in a skillet** if you like - it's a bit quicker, but requires more of your attention. I've included those instructions at the bottom of the recipe. And see notes in the main post for variation ideas!
- 2 1/2 cups / 12 oz / 340 g cooked quinoa, at room temperature*
- 5 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
- 1/3 cup / .5 oz / 15 g finely chopped fresh chives
- 1/3 cup / .5 oz / 15 g finely chopped fresh dill
- 1 cup / 1.5 oz / 45 g finely chopped kale
- 1 yellow or white onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon (toasted) cumin
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup / 3.5 oz / 100 g bread crumbs, plus more if needed
- water or a bit of flour, if needed
- 1/3 cup / 1.5 oz / 40 g crumbled feta
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or clarified butter
- sesame seeds, for coating
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Preheat oven to 400F / 200C.
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Combine the quinoa, eggs, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in the chives, dill, kale, onion, garlic, and cumin. Stir well.
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Add the baking powder and bread crumbs, stir, and let sit for a few minutes so the crumbs can absorb some of the moisture. Gently stir in the feta.
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At this point, you should have a mixture you can easily form into twelve 1-inch / 2.5cm thick patties. Use about 1/2 cup of the quinoa mixture per patty. I err on the very moist side because it makes for a not-overly-dry patty, but you can add more bread crumbs, a bit at a time, to firm up the mixture, if need be. Conversely, a bit more beaten egg or water can be used to moisten the mixture. If you're still having trouble getting the mixture to hold - mix in flour, a couple tablespoons at a time.
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Oil a baking sheet, and arrange the patties with a bit of space between each. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if you like. Bake for ~20 minutes, or until the bottoms are brown. Flip and bake for another 5 minutes. Enjoy hot, or allow to cool to room temperature on a cooling rack.
Makes about a dozen patties.
**Alternately, you can cook the patties in a skillet. Here's how - Heat the oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-low heat, add 6 patties, if they'll fit with some room between each, cover, and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, until the bottoms are deeply browned. Turn up the heat if there is no browning after 10 minutes and continue to cook until the patties are browned. Carefully flip the patties with a spatula and cook the second sides for 7 minutes, or until golden. Remove from the skillet and cool on a wire rack while you cook the remaining patties. Alternatively, the quinoa mixture keeps nicely in the refrigerator for a few days; you can cook patties to order, if you prefer.
Related Recipes
How To Cook Quinoa (and 20 Quinoa Recipes)
How to cook quinoa perfectly, every time. You can use it in everything from salads and bowls, stews and sourdough, or any of my 20 favorite quinoa recipes highlighted below.
Heather’s Quinoa
A one-skillet quinoa recipe - quinoa, corn, chopped kale and pan-toasted tofu tossed with a big dollop of pesto and finished off with a few roasted cherry tomatoes.
Quinoa Salad
A favorite quinoa salad punctuated with crunchy cucumbers and toasted cashews. There’s creamy feta, wisps of arugula, flecks of red onion and herbs, and a special ginger-curry dressing. So delicious!
Feel-good Lunch Ideas
Leveling up lunch on-the-go with lots of color, clever use of leftovers, and feel-good ingredients. These are two lunchboxes I packed recently.
Double Broccoli Quinoa
For the broccoli lovers out there (or anyone who strives to be), this is your recipe. Cook up lots of broccoli, and puree half of it into a pesto. The other half is cut into little florets. Toss the broccoli with some quinoa, sliced avocado and a drizzle of feisty chile pepper oil.
Super Natural Vegan Sushi
This is homemade vegan sushi made with sweet potato fries, seasoned tofu, avocado, kale chips, and a whole grain sushi rice blend. A quick kiss of strong wasabi-spiked soy sauce is my preferred dipping sauce.
Make Ahead Super Green Vegan Quinoa Burritos
Vegan burritos packed with all the good stuff - quinoa, mung beans, and lots of kale - tossed with a creamy, serrano-spiked avocado dressing.
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Comments
These sound lovely!
just when I thought I couldn't love those quinoa patties anymore...you go and make them even more delicious! kale? feta? YUM!! thanks for being so inspiring
Oh, these look lovely! I think they would be wonderful with a dollop of plain yogurt & some chopped red onion! Ala potato pancakes.
Funny, I was just going to email and say how much i appreciated this recipe! My 18 month old can be a picky eater at times but loves these b/c she can dip them in any type of sauce we have on hand. And, i know she is eating something nutritious and full of protein. Thanks for all of the wonderful recipes, they are being thoroughly enjoyed here in the state of PA! HS: Thanks Liz - I love getting notes like this.
Thanks for sharing. I was just trying to explain this to the huz last night for his next trip...no luck. This will help:)
Stunning photos! Quinoa and kale are two of my favorite foods to cook with! This looks fabulous - I think with the "flax egg" in place of the eggs, and some attempt to make a vegan feta, I can veganize it up for me. Thanks for the recipe!
I have Super Natural Everyday and have been contemplating the quinoa patties; however, I would need to make them with gluten-free flour. Have you, or anyone else, experimented with this? I'm thinking since GF flour isn't as absorbent as glutinous flour, that I would have to use more. I go straight for the GF bread, but it's quite expensive. Any thoughts? HS: Ground almonds (almond meal) was mentioned as a successful alternative. I haven't tried it, but it sounds like a great idea.
Love that collapsable lunch container! That's such a space-saver and great portable solution. I need to find one.
Heidi, these look delicious! I would love to make them for my daughter, but she's allergic to dairy (protein not lactose). Is the feta a key ingredient, or just added for taste (& tasty it would be!)? On a side note, your recipes in Super Natural Everyday have been approved by my toddler! Simple, healthy and yummy!
Hi Bonnie - You can omit the feta - no problem.
I always get a little excited when I open my email and there is a new post from 101 Cookbooks! I love the stories, the photographs and of course the recipes! Thank you Heidi
yum - my grandmother in law used to make a similar recipe but with mashed cauliflower subbing for quinoa. super delish. also, so jealous you hung out with yotam ottolenghi in london! wish i could have been a fly on the wall for that veggie foodblogging super star summit!
any advice on a substitute for feta? i might be one of the only people on the planet that isn't a feta-fan, but i'd still be interested in including something that could substitute if you have a suggestion?
Hi Courtney, you can leave it out. It goes bring a salty accent, maybe sub some chopped olives?
Ooooh! I think I just found a perfect kid food for my 3-year-old and 14-month old. Thank u Heidi!
Hi! I don´t have access to kale where I live. Do you think I could substitute it for spinach or another leafy green? Thanks! This looks great!
Yes - substitute with whatever green you have.
Love your pictures of London and I can't wait to hear more about your trip!
Heidi, you are so much on a different league. With all the things I need to do before a trip, I'd never had the time or the mental energy to plan some great food. I think I really should though. And the soft silicone box sounds really handy!
Do you have a way to make the quinoa patties wheat-free?
these look easy peasy to make! i love the collapsible container for your lunch - i resent having to take clutsy empty boxes home from work everyday.
These look amazing! What a great idea. Any thoughts on making them Gluten-Free?
You are so smart. I really should pack my food for plane rides, but never do. I would so far rather eat this!