Mini Ham and Cheese Quinoa Cups are a poppable, protein-packed gluten free breakfast or snack recipe. Filling, flavorful, and a hit with both kids and adults!

Mini Ham and Cheese Quinoa Cups are the perfect, poppable, gluten-free breakfast or snack recipe. Easy, delicious and loved by kids and adults alike! | iowagirleats.com

I had this whole spiel ready about how real men do, in fact, eat quiche, as demonstrated by Ben who housed nearly a dozen Mini Ham and Cheese Quinoa Cups that resemble wee baby quiche for dinner last night, but then I remembered quiche has a crust and Mini Ham and Cheese Quinoa Cups do not, so in reality they’re more like mini frittatas and well, all was tragically lost.

These 2-bite delights combine whole eggs, egg whites, cooked quinoa, shredded zucchini, cheddar cheese, and diced ham in a perfectly poppable package that contains 3 grams of protein per mini cup, thanks to quinoa and lean ham in the mix. They’re low in calories too, at less than 50 calories a piece.

Did I mention they’re SO DANG CUTE?!

Watch How to Make Them!

Protein-Packed Quinoa Bites

Best of all, these protein-packed quinoa bites are super versatile. Try these other varieties!

Mini Ham and Cheese Quinoa Cups are the perfect, poppable, gluten-free breakfast or snack recipe. Easy, delicious and loved by kids and adults alike! | iowagirleats.com

Plus they can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack. Is there anything Mini Ham & Cheese Quinoa Cups can’t do?

Mini Ham and Cheese Quinoa Cups are the perfect, poppable, gluten-free breakfast or snack recipe. Easy, delicious and loved by kids and adults alike! | iowagirleats.com

This easy, gluten-free recipe takes no time at all. Simply combine the ingredients in a bowl.

Mini Ham and Cheese Quinoa Cups are the perfect, poppable, gluten-free breakfast or snack recipe. Easy, delicious and loved by kids and adults alike! | iowagirleats.com

Mix.

Mini Ham and Cheese Quinoa Cups are the perfect, poppable, gluten-free breakfast or snack recipe. Easy, delicious and loved by kids and adults alike! | iowagirleats.com

Then add cooked quinoa and mix again.

Mini Ham and Cheese Quinoa Cups are the perfect, poppable, gluten-free breakfast or snack recipe. Easy, delicious and loved by kids and adults alike! | iowagirleats.com

Liberally spray a mini muffin tin or mini muffin baking pan with nonstick spray, fill the cups up with the mixture, then bake for 20 minutes or until the cups are golden brown around the outside.

Mini Ham and Cheese Quinoa Cups are the perfect, poppable, gluten-free breakfast or snack recipe. Easy, delicious and loved by kids and adults alike! | iowagirleats.com Mini Ham and Cheese Quinoa Cups are the perfect, poppable, gluten-free breakfast or snack recipe. Easy, delicious and loved by kids and adults alike! | iowagirleats.com

Pop them out once cool enough to handle then try not to squeal. These delicious mini quinoa cups are almost too cute to eat.

Almost!

Like I said, you could eat mini quinoa cups for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner — hot or cold. They’re even freezer-friendly. Enjoy, enjoy!

Mini Ham and Cheese Quinoa Cups are the perfect, poppable, gluten-free breakfast or snack recipe. Easy, delicious and loved by kids and adults alike! | iowagirleats.com

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Mini Ham and Cheese Quinoa Cups

4.9 from 24 votes

by Kristin Porter

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 12
Mini Ham and Cheese Quinoa Cups are a poppable gluten free breakfast or snack recipe. Super easy and loved by both kids and adults!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked quinoa, ~about 3/4 cup uncooked
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 cup shredded zucchini
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup diced ham
  • 1/4 cup loosely packed parsley, chopped
  • 2 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • salt and pepper

Directions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl then mix to combine. Liberally spray a mini muffin tin with nonstick spray then scoop the quinoa mixture to the top of each cup. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges of the cups are golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from the muffin tin and transferring to a cooling rack to cool.

Notes

  • For regular-sized muffin tins: bake for 25-30 minutes (Note: I have not tested full-sized muffins myself, although several readers have left comments saying this works!)
  • To freeze: place baked cups on a baking sheet then freeze until solid and transfer to a freezer bag. Microwave for 20-40 seconds depending on how many you're reheating.

Nutrition

Calories: 101kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.003g, Cholesterol: 40mg, Sodium: 160mg, Potassium: 143mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 307IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 92mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.

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318 Comments

  1. jenny says:

    i can’t wait to try these. also have been looking for another way to have my quinoa! may be a new staple!

  2. kathleen @ the daily crumb says:

    these look absolutely fab! love recipes that make tons of leftovers… especially when you can grab and go from the fridge!

  3. Lauren says:

    These are adorable and look delicious! I’m thinking these would be great on a salad.

  4. Kristen @ Swanky Dietitian says:

    These are adorable!
    I can’t wait to try them out!

  5. Maria says:

    Love this idea!

  6. Kira says:

    Can’t wait to make these!

  7. Faith says:

    I have been looking for other ways to use my quinoa. These look awesome. Can’t wait to try them!

  8. Julia Steele says:

    I’m always looking for things to do with quinoa too. Genius!

  9. Blog is the New Black says:

    Love your addition of quinoa!

  10. J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says:

    These have springtime written all over them! They look delish. Yum!

  11. Matt says:

    I would put some chopped up asparagus spears in place of the zucchini and finish them off with a few splashes of Frank’s red hot. Delicious

  12. Michelle says:

    Thank you- these look great! I whenever cook quinoa I always end up making more than I need, so I love to have recipes for the leftovers!

  13. Andrea - Making It Healthy says:

    These look absolutely amazing!! I can’t wait to try them.