If you are looking for a fun texture twist to quinoa, try crisping it up in the oven. It is a simple extra step with just three ingredients to make this yummy, crispy quinoa.
Fun Facts about Quinoa: Did you know quinoa is revered as one of the world’s healthiest foods, according to Healthline.com. Although it is technically a seed, quinoa is considered a whole grain, and it is gluten free. Quinoa originated in South America and is packed with vitamins and nutrients. It also has more protein than other grains. Put it in the weekly rotation, quinoa is so good!
Crispy Quinoa Ingredients
All you will need to make a crispy quinoa is quinoa made to package directions, olive oil, and garlic salt! The amount you need depends on what you plan to use it for. Some of my favorite ways to consume crispy quinoa are on a salad, as the base of any type of “bowl” (like these Greek Chicken Bowls), or just as a side with Roasted Broccoli on top.
How to Make Crispy Quinoa
I start by making quinoa according to package directions. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes. I like to make this recipe starting with 1 cup of dry quinoa from the package, yielding about 3 cups of cooked quinoa.
Next, line a large baking sheet with foil and preheat the oven to 425°. Spread the cooked quinoa onto the baking sheet. Drizzle 1 1/2 -2 tablespoons of olive oil evenly among the cooked quinoa. Then sprinkle 1 tablespoon garlic salt evenly on top of the quinoa. Toss the quinoa well, so that the olive oil and garlic salt are combined and distributed as evenly as possible.
Bake the quinoa for 10 minutes, then using a spatula, toss the quinoa around the pan. Bake for another 10-15 minutes or until you can see that the quinoa has browned on top.
Remove from the oven. If using it for a salad, allow it to cool on the pan before using. If you want to serve it warm with a meal, serve it hot from the oven!
Crispy Quinoa Tips
- For extra flavor, use chicken broth or Knorr seasoned water when cooking your quinoa on the stovetop first.
- Vary the amount of garlic salt to taste.
- Try adding the crispy quinoa to a simple salad, like this Summer Spinach Salad, for some extra crunch and flavor.
Kid Tip: Altering sensory properties of food can totally change a child’s perception and preferences! Try serving quinoa both ways. Simply cook one batch traditionally on a stove top for soft grain texture and then use half of that batch to crisp it in the oven (cutting the salt and olive oil amounts in half). See which way your child prefers, and you may discover another quinoa fan in the family!
Crispy Quinoa
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked quinoa (prepared according to package directions)
- 1 1/2 – 2 T olive oil
- 1 T garlic salt
Instructions
- Prepare quinoa according to package directions. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes. I like to make this recipe starting with 1 cup of dry quinoa from the package, yielding about 3 cups of cooked quinoa.
- Next, line a large baking sheet with foil and preheat the oven to 425°.
- Spread the cooked quinoa onto the baking sheet.
- Drizzle 1 1/2 -2 tablespoons of olive oil evenly among the cooked quinoa.
- Then sprinkle 1 tablespoon garlic salt evenly on top of the quinoa.
- Toss the quinoa well, so that the olive oil and garlic salt are combined and distributed as evenly as possible.
- Bake the quinoa for 10 minutes, then using a spatula, toss the quinoa around the pan. Bake for another 10-15 minutes or until you can see that the quinoa has browned on top.
- Remove from the oven. If using it for a salad, allow it to cool on the pan before using. If you want to serve it warm with a meal, serve it hot from the oven!
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 20
