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Crispy Pesto Quinoa Cakes

Grab your appetite because we've got crispy quinoa cakes made with fresh spinach and basil pesto.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
22 mins
Servings: 10 cakes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the pesto
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1/2 cup Fresh Spinach Leaves can sub kale
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1 garlic clove crushed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the cakes + cooking
  • 1 cup quinoa cooked according to package directions, about 3 cups cooked
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • olive oil for cooking
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • fresh basil optional, for garnish

Instructions

For the pesto
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a mini food processor, blend together all the ingredients until smooth.
For the cakes + cooking
  1. In a large bowl, mix together the quinoa, eggs, flour, salt, and pesto until well combined.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-low heat, add a thin layer of olive oil. With wet hands, form the quinoa mixture into about 10 cakes and add them to the pan. 
  3. Cook until golden brown on both sides, about 10 to 12 minutes total. Cover with a lid (if desired) after crisping the sides to help them cook all the way through, adding more oil to the pan if it dries out. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Serve warm topped with extra Parmesan and basil (optional). Also great leftover. 

Notes

  • We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
  • Nutrition Facts Crispy Pesto Quinoa Cakes Amount Per Serving Calories 134 Calories from Fat 63 % Daily Value* Fat 7g11%Saturated Fat 1g6%Cholesterol 33mg11%Sodium 131mg6%Potassium 140mg4%Carbohydrates 14g5%Fiber 2g8%Sugar 1g1%Protein 4g8% Vitamin A 250IU5%Vitamin C 0.7mg1%Calcium 19mg2%Iron 1.3mg7% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
  • Calories 134
  • Calories from Fat 63
  • % Daily Value*
  • Fat 7g
  • 11%
  • Saturated Fat 1g
  • 6%
  • Cholesterol 33mg
  • 11%
  • Sodium 131mg
  • 6%
  • Potassium 140mg
  • 4%
  • Carbohydrates 14g
  • 5%
  • Fiber 2g
  • 8%
  • Sugar 1g
  • 1%
  • Protein 4g
  • 8%
  • Vitamin A 250IU
  • 5%
  • Vitamin C 0.7mg
  • 1%
  • Calcium 19mg
  • 2%
  • Iron 1.3mg
  • 7%