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Quinoa Cakes

Quinoa Cakes – crispy quinoa patties that make a great side dish or even a meat-free main dish. Just a little cheesy, a hint of spicy and plenty of fresh herbs!

Quinoa is one of those grains that I think is very under-rated. You see it in a few recipes, but it is way more versatile that people give it credit for. It is perfect for a Mediterranean Quinoa Salad or this Mexican Quinoa Salad. But it can be so much more!

quinoa cakes on a white plate with basil

 

These Quinoa Cakes are loaded with fresh herbs, so they are anything but boring. Great for a side dish, a quick and easy summer dinner, or if you are just looking for a meat-free alternative. You can use your favorite herbs and cheese to make the different every time!

What You’ll Need

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  • Quinoa
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Panko Breadcrumbs
  • Fresh Basil
  • Dried Oregano
  • Eggs
  • Lemon Juice
  • Red Pepper Flakes
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Olive Oil
quinoa patties on a plate

How To Make Quinoa Cakes

  1. Start by mixing together your cooked quinoa with the Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, dried oregano and the fresh basil.
  2. Once everything is well combined stir in the eggs and panko breadcrumbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Using a 1/3 cup measuring cup or an ice cream scoop, form the mixture into patties. It will be crumbly, so I find it easiest to form into a ball, place on a plate, and then gently press down and form the patty.
  4. Place the quinoa patties in the fridge for at least 15 minutes.
  5. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the quinoa patties and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown.
  6. Remove and serve
quinoa cake broken apart on a plate

Recipe Tips and Variations

  • These are great to make ahead! You can form the patties and leave them in the fridge for a few days before cooking them. So next time you make quinoa, make sure to make extra to make these quinoa cakes.
  • Mix up the cheese and herbs! I used Parmesan and basil for these, but you could use cheddar and cilantro, or Mozzarella and sage. They are very versatile, so just use whatever your family enjoys!
  • Don’t skip the step of letting them sit for at least 15 minutes in the fridge. This helps them firm up, so they are easier to handle when they cook.
  • The quinoa cakes are a little crumbly when you first mix the together. Just gently shape into a patty as well as you can, they will firm up and hold their shape much better once they are cold.

How To Serve Quinoa Cakes

These are great as a side dish or even as a main! Serve along side Seared Salmon or French Onion Chicken or break out the air fryer for Air Fryer Steak Bites for complete and delicious meal.

They make for a great main dish if you want something meat-free. They can also work great on a salad for more protein; like this Caesar Salad or Roasted Squash Salad are a great pairing.

cooked quinoa patties on a plate with basil

More Easy Side Dish Recipes

close up quinoa cakes on a plate for pinterest
Yield: 6

Parmesan-Sage Quinoa Cakes

cropped close up quinoa cakes on a plate with a fork

Quinoa Cakes - crispy quinoa patties that make a great side dish or even a meat-free main dish. Just a little cheesy, a hint of spicy and plenty of fresh herbs!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil, for frying

Instructions

  1. Mix cooked quinoa, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, fresh basil, oregano and red pepper flakes in a large bowl until combined.
  2. Add the eggs and panko breadcrumbs and stir until everything is combined . Season with salt and pepper. The mixture should be moist and you can form into a ball. It will be slightly crumbly.
  3. Use a 1/3-cup measuring cup or an ice cream scoop to measure the mixture and form into patties. For into a ball and place on a plate. Gently press down and form into a patty. The mixture will be a little crumbly.
  4. Place plate in the fridge and let set up for at least 15 minutes before cooking.
  5. Heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium high heat.
  6. Cook 3-4 patties at a time, to make sure you don't crowd the pan, for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
  7. Remove cooked patties from the pan, add the rest of the oil and cook the rest of the patties.

Nutrition Information

Yield

6

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 174Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 66mgSodium 219mgCarbohydrates 18gFiber 2gSugar 1gProtein 7g

Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.

Did you make this recipe?

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Catalina

Wednesday 7th of September 2022

What a great idea to make cakes from quinoa! My family will like it!

Juliane

Monday 5th of September 2022

My mom absolutely love this! Such a good recipe!

Beti | easyweeknightrecipes

Saturday 3rd of September 2022

These quinoa cakes are absolutely amazing!! I can't wait to try this recipe!

katerina @ diethood.com

Saturday 3rd of September 2022

This is such a fantastic idea! I am so excited to try it out! Thanks for sharing! YUM!

Magic of Spice

Saturday 7th of July 2012

Hi Cassie, I just adore quinoa and these look absolutely delicious!

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