Popped Quinoa Recipe

If you fond of crunchy snacks and worry about the unwanted fat tied with it? Then this popped quinoa is the perfect answer for you.

These quinoa pops are a crispy, crunchy perfect standalone snack or you can enjoy as topping for yogurt, cereal or salad. This one is a clear indicator of cooking good food. Alternatively, it is also guilt-free, that you can munch on the movie times.

Customize this popped quinoa with your favorite choice of flavors. One of the best tips is to drizzle some melted butter and garlic powder to have a savory taste. Caramel sauce and chocolate shavings will also play absolutely. So the choices are many and choose you artfully.

And are you searching for a filling and healthy eats for grains? Here you go, this easy recipe you can make you're healthy to eat within 15 minutes, which would be right on your table when you crave for munching.

I’m on a mission to eat healthily and share healthy recipes as much as possible. And this popped quinoa recipe makes me feel comfortable in writing and sharing. This could also be your nutritious alternative to popcorns. The only difference you will feel between the popped corn and quinoa is the SIZE.

The same way you can pop barley, amaranth, sorghum, and other millets, you can pop quinoa also. Make popped quinoa granola or start loading to your breakfast cereal.

Now another question pops up in our mind would be, can quinoa be popped like popcorn? Yes, Of course, they can. Once popped, they are like tiny and granular and are super crispy. To make popped quinoa, all you need is just a pan and quinoa. And nothing else. This is sounding fantastic, right?

This homemade puffed quinoa turned out as our new travel companion. These little friends engage throughout our long journey. This was the first thing I packed when I was getting ready for our recent trip to Cincinnati.

If you are searching for other healthy snacking recipes, You may find it interesting. Masala Peanuts, Punugulu, Corn cutlet, Paneer Cutlet, Potato Cutlet.

Out of many snacks out there, this popped quinoa is the simple, stress-free, and tasty snack. Furthermore, I like the fact that I fulfill my cravings within 10 minutes, which is unimaginable in many dishes. Moreover, I can easily adjust the quantity when I make for single serve or a large amount.

Another great advantage of this quinoa pop is that I can store for at least two weeks in the kitchen counter. So you can make this store in an airtight container, and this comes handy to top your cereal, salad or yogurt.

And you can also use this as the main ingredient to make popped quinoa bars or homemade granola.

FAQs about Popped Quinoa

Do you have to rinse quinoa before popping?

Yes, it has to be rinsed well before using it because it comes naturally with pest deterrent, which gives a bitter taste. So rinsing them before is advised. But nowadays, most of the packaged quinoa, come as rinsed and prewashed. So, watch your package, whether it is pre-rinsed or not.

Mine was prewashed and rinsed, hence I use them straight away. But if your package instructions do not say so, then wash and rinse quinoa a couple of times. Drain and spread it in a baking sheet with a parchment paper.

You can use an oven to make it dry. Set the oven to a minimum of 170 degrees F. Place the baking sheet in the middle rack and close the door until it is completely dry. Stir occasionally, and this process would take 2-3 hours. This makes them pop evenly.

Can you pop quinoa in an air popper?

I have not tried it, but I guess it is not feasible to use quinoa in air popper as they have tiny structure. It may be struct to its filter. If anyone tried this, then please share your experience with us. One of our readers updated us that air popper is throwing the quinoa because of its lightweight. So, popping quinoa with this machine is not working as of now.

Can you pop quinoa in the microwave?

This method is possible and theoretically working. But I feel the stovetop method is more reliable and successful. And the stovetop method needs fewer efforts, and everything comes together in less than 10 minutes.

Taste and serving Ideas of popped Quinoa

This tastes plain, and hence, you can convert according to your time and mood. In the morning hours, add it to your breakfast like granola, cereal or yogurt. If you want spicy, then toss in butter with chili flakes. Toss with butter, salt, and pepper which is the ideal way of enjoying it.

To store

This stays crispy for a minimum of a couple of weeks when stored in an airtight container. It does not require any special instructions for storage. You may leave it at room temperature.

How to pop quinoa?

Popping quinoa over the stovetop is simple and straight forward, which does not require any kitchen skills. All you need is a thick bottomed pan, and that is it. The pot and the quinoa are the only two things necessary to make this dish.

The only pro tip that I can think of sharing with you is-

• Always go for medium to slow flame to achieve the best results.
• While popping, when you start seeing fumes, lift the pan and gently shake it back and forth until no fumes are seen.

Tips for perfect quinoa pops

There are only few seconds in between perfectly popped quinoa and burnt pops. So provide all your attention while popping, no worries the popping works takes few minutes.

Heavy bottomed pan. A cast-iron pan or any other pan with a thick bottom that ensures for even heat is a must in here.

Heat. Low to medium heat is the best.

Shake for even heat. Quinoa is the only ingredient here, and the improper heat source directly affects the quinoa and makes it burnt. Adjusting the temperature the heat within the little time frame is highly impossible.

So, always shake in the sideways. This makes the quinoa's surface get even heat. At times lift the pan and shake sideways when smoke starts to develop.

Making sure the even, moderate heat make the most crunchy and crispy quinoa pops.

Liked this recipe? Follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram.