Crispy Quinoa
Once you start making this treat, you’ll be hooked. It’s an easy way to add gluten-free crunch to salads, sides, soups, eggs, and breakfast dishes.
Servings: 15 tablespoons
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked, cooled quinoa (leftover, or from 1 cup uncooked quinoa. See note.)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Aleppo pepper, cinnamon, or your favorite spice combination (optional)
Instructions
Option 1: Crisp the Quinoa in the Oven
- Get ready: Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread cooled quinoa on a rimmed sheet pan and toss well with oil, salt, and spice of your choice.
- Bake the quinoa: Bake in the hot oven, turning with a spatula every 10 minutes or so, until golden brown and crispy, 25-30 minutes.
Option 2: Crisp the Quinoa on the Stove
- Get ready: Combine cooked quinoa, oil, salt, and the spice of your choice in a large nonstick skillet. Stir until quinoa is well-coated.
- Gently toast the quinoa: Place pan over medium-low heat and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon. For the first 10 minutes, the quinoa will stick to the bottom of the pan a bit, but as it dries out and becomes toasted, it will release more easily. Keep stirring frequently until quinoa is golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Let cool completely before using.
Notes
- Shop this recipe: Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including the olive oil and spices used in this recipe.
- To cook the quinoa:
- Simmer the quinoa: Combine 1 cup quinoa with 1 1/2 cups water in a small saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and simmer until water is absorbed, 13-15 minutes.
- Steam the quinoa: Remove from heat, cover with a towel, and let quinoa steam for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then allow to cool fully (spread onto a large plate or sheet tray to speed this up).
- Should I rinse quinoa? You likely don't need to. Quinoa is coated with saponins, a natural compound that helps the plant protect itself from predators. Some find the flavor bitter or soapy, but these days most quinoa has been pre-rinsed. Check the package for this information to save yourself from this extra step!
- The quinoa will continue to crisp up as it cools.
- Storage: Transfer Crispy Quinoa to an airtight container and store it at room temperature for up to a week.
Nutrition
Calories: 37.9kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.3g | Protein: 1.1g | Fat: 1.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.8g | Sodium: 79.8mg | Potassium: 43.1mg | Fiber: 0.7g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 11.1IU | Calcium: 4.4mg | Iron: 0.4mg
QR code
Scan this QR code with your phone's camera to view this recipe on your mobile device.
