Happy Monday! How are you? Like a big chunk of the Midwest, we’re coming off a gorgeous, 60 degree weekend here in central Iowa. Ben even busted out the skateboard Saturday morning for Lincoln’s first lesson! Just kidding, that won’t be happening for another, well, that will never be happening. #futuregolfer #nosportsrequiringhelmets ?
After a quick zip across the driveway we drove downtown to soak up the beautiful day along the riverfront. The sky was blue, the sun was hot, and I didn’t even care when I dropped iced coffee all over my shoes (Scenic Route’s too – the best!) Vitamin D does wonders, my friends! ☀️
Later that afternoon Lincoln and I put together a playroom in our upstairs loft. Prior to this weekend it was where I took photos for the blog but since we don’t have a finished basement, and he (aka we!) needed somewhere else to put some toys besides the living room, I moved my photography station into the office and we created a dedicated space for our little dude!
We went from this disaster in the beginning, to a fun little play area he can grow into. (Where to find: Toy bins (we also have these in our downstairs and they hold a TON of toys,) and train table (train to go on said table this week!) I’m going to hang this rad poster on the left hand side and plan to mount this paper holder + paper roll on the wall behind the train table. I just need to think of something to put behind it so a rogue squiggly line doesn’t go off the paper and onto the wall. Any ideas?
This weekend’s sunshine had us contemplating digging out the patio furniture cushions and firing up the grill for a couple days but I’m glad we didn’t because Sunday turned out to be cool and damp. So I satisfied our grilled burger cravings with these Mini Bacon Cheeseburger Quinoa Bites instead. It is uncanny how much these 2-bite gluten-free delights taste like a big and juicy bacon cheeseburger!
If you’ve been reading IGE for a few years then you know I LOVE my mini quinoa bites. Past versions include Ham & Cheese Quinoa Bites, Pizza Quinoa Bites, Mushroom & Swiss Quinoa Bites, and BLT Bites. Not only are these little bites easy to make then reheat for any meal of the day, but they’re quinoa-based so they’re full of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Plus they freeze beautifully!
Since we’re a gluten-free family we eat a lot of bunless burgers, breadless sandwiches, and taco shell-less tacos (I’m painting a really delicious picture here, aren’t I?) That said, these Mini Bacon Cheeseburger Quinoa Bites tastes EXACTLY like a shrunken down bacon cheeseburger WITH a bun! The quinoa lends a bread-y flavor but is naturally gluten-free. Add melty cheese, salty bacon, and tangy pickles (got to have them!) and I’m telling you – dead ringer for the real thing.
This recipe is a great way to use up cooked ground beef you might have leftover from a meal earlier in the week, and calls for 100% fridge and pantry staples – I didn’t have to buy a thing. The mini size makes them perfect for little hands but the big flavor will satisfy the biggest of appetites. These will be a staple in my house long after the grill is back open for business!
Start by cooking 1/2 cup quinoa in a scant cup chicken broth. Quinoa is coated in a naturally bitter substance, so just add it to a fine mesh sieve then run under cold water to remove. Once the quinoa is cooked, fluff it with a fork then set aside to cool for a bit.
Meanwhile crisp 2 slices bacon (I cut mine in half,) in a skillet over medium heat then brown 1/2lb lean ground beef in the bacon grease (hello, flavor!) seasoning with salt and pepper before draining and returning to the skillet. Stir in 1 Tablespoon worcestershire sauce the let the ground beef cool slightly.
In a large bowl add the cooked beef and quinoa then crumble in the bacon. Next stir in 3 Tablespoons ketchup, 1 – 2 Tablespoons mustard (optional but I think it totally makes the bites!) 1/4 cup chopped pickles, 4oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese, salt, pepper and 2 whole eggs whisked with 2 egg whites.
Spray two, 12-cup mini muffin tins VERY WELL with nonstick spray then scoop the mixture to the tops of each cup. By the way, I try and use plain extra virgin olive oil spray any chance I get, but this is the time and place to bust out the grapeseed or canola oil spray to ensure the cups don’t stick! Place the tins onto a baking sheet then bake for 15-20 minutes or until deep golden brown on top.
Let the cups cool in the tins for a couple minutes then run a knife along the outside edge and pop out of the cups!
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Mini Bacon Cheeseburger Quinoa Bites
Description
Mini Bacon Cheeseburger Quinoa Bites are bite-sized, gluten-free bacon cheeseburgers with a boost of extra protein!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
- scant 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 slices bacon
- 1/2lb lean ground beef
- salt and pepper
- 1 Tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 4oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup chopped pickles
- 3 Tablespoons ketchup
- 1 - 2 Tablespoons mustard (optional)
- 2 eggs + 2 egg whites
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees then place 2 mini muffin tins (24 mini cups total) on top of a baking sheet and set aside. Whisk eggs and egg whites together in a small bowl then set aside.
- Combine quinoa and chicken broth in a small saucepan then bring to a boil. Place a lid on top then lower heat and simmer until quinoa has absorbed all the broth and is tender, 10 minutes or so. Fluff then set aside to cool.
- Meanwhile add bacon to a medium-sized skillet over medium heat then cook until crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain then chop or crumble when cool enough to handle. Turn heat up to medium-high then add beef to bacon grease, season with salt and pepper, and saute until cooked through. Drain beef then return to skillet and stir in worcestershire sauce. Set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl combine slightly cooled quinoa, beef, bacon, cheese, pickles, ketchup, mustard, eggs, salt, and pepper then stir until well combined. Spray mini muffin tins VERY well with nonstick spray then scoop mixture to the top of each mini cup. Place back on top of baking sheet then bake for 15-20 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Let bites cool in the muffin tins for 5 minutes before running a knife around the outside edges and popping out.
- To freeze: Place baked bites on a baking sheet then freeze until solid, and then transfer to a freezer bag. Microwave for 20-40 seconds on high to reheat.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I was going for a “burger and fries” scene for this shoot but could only find these carrot + potato fries I’d bought for Lincoln in the freezer vs plain white potato fries. HOLY COW they are so good! Almost battered-crispy on the outside and really fluffy on the inside. Will totally be buying again.
Whatever you serve your Mini Bacon Cheeseburger Quinoa Cups with – enjoy!
I have some already cooked quinoa ready to go. Do you know how much I would use?
It’s about 1-1/2 cups!
Yum yum! maybe if I would have had these babies I would have resisted in and out last night!
Ohhh, I don’t know if resisting In and Out is EVER possible! ;)
I also love your quinoa cups, and everyone I make them for loves them too. Question: what are the details of the carrot and potato fries…brand, where you got them…please?
Quinoa and muffin pans to the rescue! Is there anything these two cannot do?
Would this work with regular muffin tins?
I think it could! I’d start with 20 minutes or so!
What is scant 1 cup?
A little less than one cup.
Looks like you had a lovely weekend m’dear! Glad you all were able to make the most of the great weather. And these quinoa bites … Totally delicious! Looking forward to seeing you mañana at Trostel’s!
Try clear contact paper on the wall. I used to do that behind my stove to keep grease splatters from getting on the wall.
Oooo great idea – thanks for the tip!
Love these quinoa bites recipes! My whole family loves the pizza bites–even my super picky eater. It’s the only way my kids will eat quinoa. Will have to try the bacon cheeseburger one soon. Yum! (And need to find those fries!)
Looks like a fun space for Lincoln! Been reading your blog for a long time, and it’s been fun to watch your photography grow. Any chance we can get a behind-the-scenes look at your studio? :)
Hi Stephanie, thank you so much for your kind words! Maybe I’ll sneak it into an upcoming “Currently” post. :)
Oh no, I just made some quinoa and forgot to rinse it before cooking. Now it tastes bitter. Is there a way to salvage it? Can I rinse it now or do I have to start over? Aaaaah!
Oh no, I’m so sorry! I think you’ll have to start over since the bitterness is now cooked in. :(
So excited to try this recipe!
These mini quinoa bites look adorable! And I love the idea of using my mini muffin tin for something else than muffins. Love that spring is just around the corner and we will have more sunshine, I’m a true sun-lover, in my book sunshine makes everything better :-) Lincoln has grown so much! He’s a little man now.
He really is – it’s so cliche to say, but it’s crazy how quickly they grow up!
Yum! Perfect mid-winter dish! Can’t wait to bake up a batch.
Hi there- Did you find the carrot fries at Hy-Vee?
Yep, I did!
What a good idea! I have tried your quinoa bacon bites before and have loved them! These look delicious! Pinned!
I make different quinoa cups throughout the year, and have discovered that if I use a cookie scoop and make sure the mixture is packed a bit, I can cook these on a baking sheet and eliminate the issue of them sometimes sticking in my (non-stick!) mini muffin tins. They turn out more like meatballs, but same idea!
That’s a great idea – I’ll have to try that!
[…] to try. I’ve come across several recipes for quinoa cups (check out Iowa Girl Eats, she has many variations!)- so I thought this would be fun to try with Luca. Kids tend to like anything that is in muffin […]
These look great – totally making them because I’m so sick of being bunless for everything!
Say, do you react to the EL Paso taco shells that are marked GF? We eat them all the time!
These look amazing! We love the other kinds you’ve got.
Question: I want to use these for our non-gluten grains reintroduction after the Whole 30, but dairy isn’t introduced until after. Would they still stay together without the cheese? Should I add another egg to help it bind, or just try it leaving out the cheese?
Hey Jen! Hmm, I would start with an extra egg or two. The cheese is one of the main things that holds these bites together so I’m not sure it will work, but I’d start there!
Hi love the recipe and will cook it today,but It would be nice to see the nutrition values e.g. CALORIES per serving as I am trying to loose weight…lol the bacon probably doesn’t help that.
Cheers
I just wanted to tell you that I made your Apple Crisp Muffins today. They are a bit of heaven. I’m making your Potato Soup next. I can’t wait, it looks so good. I love getting your emails. You come up with the greatest recipes. I am also an Iowa girls, born and raised on the farm near Britt, Ia. Love your work!!!
Thank you so much – really appreciate the kind words and feedback!
I love all your quinoa bite recipes and I made these last night for my Oscar party – huge hit!!
I’m moving to Iowa in a couple weeks, and seeing your pictures and reading about the area are making me so much excited!!! :D
[…] got the recipe from Iowa Girl Eats. I dare you to find a recipe over there that doesn’t look phenomenal. […]
These were great! I made with ground turkey because, well that is what I had. Teens loved them! Like our new appetizer
Hi! How many would you eat for an adult serving? What is the calorie count? Thanks!
I have been making all sorts of versions since I’ve found these on your site. We try to stay gf in out home, so these have become a great “sandwich” replacer. I am standing here eating a “Cuban” version. Oh. My. Yum!
Oh I love that idea!! I’m obsessed with Cubans so will definitely have to try!!
Thoughts on substitutions for the pickle for folks? Maybe tomato without the juice and seeds?
Yep, that’d be totally fine! Could use chopped red onion too. Whatever you like on your cheeseburger, really! :)
Made these tonight for my 3.5yr, 2yr, hubby and myself. Mr3 announced they were ‘delicious!’ and wants them again. Thanks for a healthy and easy-to-follow recipe! This is the first of yours I have made and will definitely not be the last! Thanks from a mum of 3 under 4yrs in Australia!
Aww, so glad to hear it, Lainey! Thanks for the great feedback!
I LOVE the quinoa cups and honestly I think this one is my favourite. I had to make a couple substitutions (HP sauce for worchestershire and ketchup; dill relish for the pickle) but they turned out moist and delish! Thanks for making the transition to gluten free easy!
You got it, Donna! So glad you loved them!
The bites were awesome Pickles mixed in are okay, but next time I’ll leave off pickles and garnish with a slice instead. I also added onion powder and diced red onion to the beef mixtures. Thanks for the recipe!
What is the purpose of the 2 egg whites? Can I just use the 2 whole eggs? I hate wasting the egg yolks whenever I have to separate eggs cuz I never know what to do with them.
I made these last night since I had bacon and ground beef cooked in the fridge. I use homemade beef stock instead of chicken stock–again because it was thawed in the fridge. I used three eggs instead of 2 eggs and 2 egg whites. These were amazing and will definitely be made again. The kids loved them. My two youngest (4th grade and Kindergarten) are taking them cold in their lunches today. Next time will double the batch.
These were soo good! My husband and 4 year old son really liked them too! Pretty darn simple to make too! I doubled the recipe and now will be able to freeze some for another day! Yay! Thanks for another great recipe!!
Do you have any nutritional information for your recipies?