Happy Monday veggie lovers! With lots of people having the day off today, it’s the perfect time to think about meal planning and prep for the week. I keep seeing lots of recipes for the big game parties and awards shows but they often look so unhealthy. Typically, there are lots of Buffalo wings recipes floating around and I realized that I could easily make a healthy, vegetarian option. So today I bring you my version of Buffalo Quinoa bites with a blue cheese yogurt dip. Sarah and I are happy to have you join us for Meatless Monday today.
The best part of buffalo wings is the buffalo sauce right? In my opinion, the sauce should be spicy but not too spicy. I like to taste my food without it being overwhelmed by spice. I’ve used the Frank’s buffalo sauce in my recipe but your favorite brand will do. To keep the quinoa from getting too dried out, I’ve added a little bite of mozzarella cheese in the center. When you bite into the quinoa, you are rewarded with a warm oozy burst of mozzarella. Yummy!
I’ve also used gluten free panko bread crumbs to give some extra crunch to the bites. Adding some hemp hearts to the mix gives the Buffalo Quinoa bites a extra bump in protein.
One of the best parts of buffalo wings is the blue cheese dip of course! I’ve created an easy to make dip with yogurt and blue cheese and it’s a fantastic way to enjoy more carrots and celery. I find that regular plain yogurt tastes better than Greek Yogurt for this recipe.
Buffalo Quinoa Bites with Blue Cheese Yogurt Dip
Ingredients
- For quinoa bites:
- 1 Cup Quinoa-cooked according to package
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 C buffalo wing sauce
- 1/4 C hemp hearts
- 3/4 C gluten free panko bread crumbs
- 4 cheese sticks-cut into bite size pieces
- salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste
- For dip:
- 8 oz plain yogurt
- 6 oz blue cheese crumbles
- squeeze lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400
- In a large bowl combine all quinoa bites ingredients and mix to combine
- Form into bites of about 2 tablespoons each
- Insert a bite of mozzarella into each bite and roll to seal inside
- Spray with cooking spray
- Bake 10 min and flip over, spray again and bake for another 10 m
- Meanwhile, mix together blue cheese, yogurt and lemon
- Serve warm
I had lots of extra Buffalo Quinoa Bites and guess what? They are also perfect to eat for breakfast with eggs. Bonus!
Are you entertaining for the big game this year? What are you serving?
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What a fun idea! We’ll just be getting back in town for the game, but I’d eat these for any occasion. I can’t get enough buffalo sauce.
I know it’s good right?! I don’t find too many things to eat with it usually
Wow! These would be so good for breakfast or anytime of day!
I am loving eating them for breakfast!
This looks amazing! I love anything buffalo and blue cheese. Thanks for hosting!
Thanks it was fun to find a way to eat more buffalo sauce-it’s good!
Wow, what a fun idea! I love buffalo everything, this sounds like something fun to try. Thanks for the idea!
Thanks for checking it out hope you enjoy!
Yummm I’m in the mood for some heat this week. It’s cold and snowing that’s the perfect time for anything buffalo! Thanks for the recipe.
Thanks it is a great week for spicy food indeed!
Yum, these look amazing and perfect for Super Bowl Sunday!
Thanks so much hope you enjoy them!
These look amazing and perfect for a Super Bowl party!
Thanks so much! They were pretty easy to make too
Wow these look fantastic, Deborah! I would have never thought to use quinoa!
Thanks! It worked really well. Have a great week
These sound delicious! I can’t wait to try them. Thank you for hosting this great link-up!
Thanks for checking them out hope you enjoy!
I love quinoa bites and I love hot sauce. I have to try this!
Thanks hope you enjoy!
Oh yum, those sound so good. I love spicy wing-like dippers. I’d love to try and veganize this (especially the mozzarella middle because it sounds sooooo good!).
You know I always think of you when I make things that have dairy. You could definitely make them without the cheese. Cheese is the reason I am not a vegan 🙂
Those look delicious! I love buffalo flavored foods, well except chicken wings. Haha! Can’t wait to give these a try.
I’m putting a twist on a few things for the Super Bowl… but I can’t tell you but a hint it is a twist on the chili cheese flavor. Happy Meatless Monday!
Ooh that does sound good too! It will be our little secret 🙂
I love buffalo flavored foods bc I like anything spicy but I don’t eat wings so this would be a great alternative. Thanks for sharing. Never heard of this.
It is a fun way to get the taste of the spicy sauce. I often feel like I miss out on condiments 🙂
Very creative! And they look very tasty!
Thanks so much they are really easy to make too!
You had me at the blue cheese dip! This looks really interesting I will admit!
The dip was a bonus I loved the quinoa bites with the spiciness built right in
These look so good! Want to make them for me? (Yes, I’m lazy…)
Yes anytime! I’d love to cook with you
I am always looking for new ways to make quinoa! I haven’t tried anything like this before, but it sounds absolutely delicious!
Thanks so much hope you enjoy!
The bites look amazing!
Thanks and they are really easy to make too!
the words ‘buffalo’ and ‘blue cheese’ are two words that i can never say no to. i love to sweat up an uncomfortable storm with the buffalo sauce and wash it down with blue cheese hahaha.
Now that sounds like a plan I can jump on too!
Those little bites look so delicious!
thanks!
There’s so many great yogurt dips out there right now. These look amazing, and you’re completely right – it’s really all about the buffalo sauce! Great heathy option. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks I feel like I miss out on condiments sometimes!
Wow! Those look amazing! And anything with blue cheese gets a thumbs up from me.
Thanks! I am all about the cheese as well 🙂
These look like a great alternative to the often calorie and fat heavy traditional Super Bowl dishes. I’ll be helping host a Super Bowl party with at my mom’s house this year, so this has me thinking about healthier alternatives that we might make.
Oh good! They are easy to make as well. Have fun!
This sounds delicious! I made buffalo cauliflower florets for a game day party once and I loved the buffalo flavor. This sounds like another great veggie alternative to add to the list.
ooh I love the buffalo cauliflower too! I need more hot sauce in my life 🙂
These look great!
I think it’s just going to be me and little man this year, so we’ll probably get some kind of takeout. I love football snacks, but it will be easier to bring something in.
Yes for a small group it sometimes is. They would work for anytime really!
Oh I am totally making these ASAP!! Great idea!!
Thanks hope you like them! I almost like them better w breakfast
You always have the most interesting recipes and this sounds SO yummy! I’ve just gotten my mom to start eating quinoa so I may have to try this out at home.
Well thanks! I hope you all enjoy have a great week
ooohhhhh, these look yummy! I had some buffalo wings last night, and they were so spicy! They tasted great, but the “heat” was a bit overwhelming. I agree…the spices should enhance the flavor, not dominate it.
I agree! I hope you like this one thanks for stopping by
These sound delicious! I’ve never cooked with hemp hearts, but I’m always looking for new ingredients to try. Thanks for sharing this recipe! Pinning now!
Thanks Lex hope you like them!
Oh, I love this flavor combination. Once my son goes back to school I can try some of these veggie recipes!
Thanks! I know you like the hemp hearts too and really I don’t think you can even taste them in here if you don’t know they are in there
What a yummy way to make something healthy for game day!
Thanks hope you enjoy!
This sounds great! I will have to try! Thanks for sharing! I pinned for later! 🙂
Thanks hope you all find it tasty!
You can never have too many recipes with buffalo sauce. Perfect for Super Bowl Sunday!
absolutely!
These look fantastic! A perfect healthy party food.
Thanks so much!
Yum Deborah, I was a vegetarian before I ever tried ‘wings” so I never got into the whole buffalo sauce thing. But this might change my mind!!
I feel like I really miss out on buffalo sauce!
These look great!
I have to tell you when I first saw your title, and saw the buffalo bits, I was like when did she start eating meat? LOL, but then as I read on I was like awesome, I would have never imagined an alternative to buffalo wings, and healthy at that. Love the dip idea too!
ha ha yep no meat!Thanks and hope you check them out
Oh my gosh what a FUN and creative recipe! These are perfect for all the upcoming Superbowl parties!!!
Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy them
Those sound yummy! Thanks for the recipe.
Thanks for checking it out!
That recipe is so creative. Sounds filling too from the quinoa.
they were filling I’ve been eating the leftovers for breakfast
Whoa! Those look so fun! Like quinoa confetti balls! ha!
LOL yes they do! 🙂
You had me at bleu cheese! Thanks for sharing, very creative!
Thanks I love blue cheese too a little goes a long way