Description
Crispy quinoa brings a delightful crunch to your culinary adventure, elevating simple ingredients with its golden, nutty charm. Packed with protein and irresistible texture, this dish promises to tantalize your taste buds and add excitement to your meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked quinoa (cooled)
Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Optional Finishers:
- 1 tablespoon finishing addition (hot honey, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, or fig balsamic)
Instructions
- Prepare your workspace by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper and positioning an oven rack in the middle position.
- Transfer the cooked quinoa onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading it into a thin, uniform layer to maximize crispiness and prevent clumping.
- Generously drizzle extra virgin olive oil across the quinoa, using gentle circular motions to ensure complete and even coverage.
- Sprinkle kosher salt evenly over the surface, using fingertips to gently massage the seasoning and oil into the quinoa grains.
- Place the baking sheet in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C), creating an environment that will transform the quinoa’s texture.
- Set a timer and rotate the baking sheet every 10 minutes, using a spatula to redistribute the quinoa and promote uniform golden-brown coloration.
- During the final 10 minutes of cooking, consider adding complementary seasonings like herbs, spices, or a light drizzle of flavored oil to enhance the quinoa’s taste profile.
- Monitor the quinoa closely in the last few minutes to prevent over-browning, looking for a consistent golden color and crisp texture.
- Remove from the oven and allow the quinoa to cool for 5-7 minutes, which will help it achieve maximum crunchiness.
- Serve immediately as a versatile topping for salads, soups, grain bowls, or enjoy as a standalone crunchy snack.
Notes
- Pat cooked quinoa completely dry before baking to guarantee maximum crispiness and prevent soggy results.
- Experiment with different spice blends like smoked paprika, garlic powder, or za’atar to elevate the quinoa’s flavor profile.
- This method creates a perfect gluten-free alternative to croutons or breadcrumbs for those with dietary restrictions.
- Store crispy quinoa in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain its satisfying crunch.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 295
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg