Description
This perfect crunchy quinoa is a simple, gluten-free topping made with just quinoa, olive oil, and salt. Baked until golden and crisp, it’s a versatile alternative to croutons or breadcrumbs for adding texture and flavor to salads, soups, grain bowls, and more.
Ingredients
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa using your preferred method and let it cool slightly.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Toss cooked quinoa with olive oil and salt until evenly coated.
- Spread quinoa in an even layer on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes for even crisping.
- Remove from oven when golden and crunchy. Let cool completely before using.
Notes
Season with garlic powder, paprika, or nutritional yeast for extra flavor.
Add chili flakes for spice or lemon zest after baking for freshness.
For a sweet variation, mix with cinnamon and maple syrup before baking.
Store at room temperature up to 5 days; re-crisp in oven if needed.
Can also be made in an air fryer at 350°F for 15–20 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Topping, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 recipe
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
