Healthy and hearty! These Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Bars are gluten-free, toddler tested and loved, and are filled with tons of broccoli and protein, fiber-rich quinoa so they're Mom approved, too!
I have been meaning to post this recipe for you guys for months because it's one of my favorite snacks to make for my little M. Not only is it incredibly healthy (hello broccoli and quinoa), but they are super tasty, too (hellooooo cheddar)! And when I say tasty, I don't mean to just my little vegetable loving toddler, but these Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Bars have been loved by even super picky toddler palettes!
I was that mom that brought these Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Bars as a treat to share with her class. And when I dropped them off and gave the list of ingredients to her teacher, she gave me an "Uh... ok. I hope the kids eat them..." Ouch.
So I left feeling like I was a total mom fail by dooming my poor child to be that kid of the totally uncool mom who doesn't send chocolate. Until I picked M up later that day and the same teacher RAVED about how good the bars were and how all the kids LOVED them and the moms were asking for the recipe! Healthy Mom win!
Ingredients Needed
Just 5! Does it get much easier? And so delicious we can't keep little hands out!
- Broccoli - Fresh is our preferred, but you can also use thawed frozen.
- Cooked Quinoa - Helloooo nutrition! We love this recipe to use up some leftover quinoa.
- Cheese - Parmesan and Cheddar
- Eggs - To bind it all
- Salt and Onion Powder - For a little added flavor.
So Easy to Make
I these Broccoli Cheddar Qunioa Bars because they're basically just throwing everything in a bowl, mixing, and then baking. It doesn't get much easier for a health homemade kid snack!
Step 1: Chop the broccoli. To do this, we just use a knife to cut off the top of the broccoli into super small pieces, then give another little chop for good measure. This'll ensure that the broccoli is well distributed and if you won't get big chunks throughout your quinoa bars, which can deter some little ones.
Step 2: Add everything except the whisked eggs to a bowl, mix, and then add the egg to mix.
Step 3: Add to a well greased pan and then bake!
And done! Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Bars! Thanks to the quinoa, these are great served as a meal (I'll often pack them for lunch with fruit for M), or they make a delicious hearty snack!
For moms that are looking for ways to sneak in those greens to a cheesy snack, this is a perfect way. Especially since you're also getting in all the fiber, iron, magnesium, and protein from the quinoa, and all of the calcium, zinc, and potassium from the broccoli!
Other Healthy Toddler Friendly Snacks
Healthy Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins
Peanut Butter Chocolate Engery Balls
Oatmeal Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies
I hope you moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, aunties, uncles, and other caretakers or loved ones of little ones try these! If you do, be sure to let me know on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Also, be on the lookout for mom and toddler-approved, nutritious snacks and meals!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
- 3 cups broccoli chopped
- 3 eggs, whisked
- 1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded or Romano
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F and grease 8 X 8 baking pan.
- Add quinoa, broccoli, cheddar, romano, onion powder, and salt to a large bowl. Mix well.
- Add the whisked egg to the bowl and mix everything together until it's all well coated.
- Add mixture to the pan and smooth with spatula.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until the edges begin to brown. Remove from oven and cool completely then cut into squares and serve!
- Store in an airtight container in fridge for 4-5 days.
Are you able to freeze these?
Definitely!
Is it 2.5 cups uncooked quinoa or 2.5 cups cooked. If it’s 2.5 cooked then how much uncooked quinoa do you need
Hi Jen! This recipe calls for 2.5 cups of cooked quinoa, which is about 3/4 cup uncooked.
Can I make this with frozen broccoli?
Yup! No need to fully thaw, either. Just enough to safely chop it up and then mix it in.
Made these and they’re a little dry and too crumbly so would recommend an extra egg or/and maybe 1/2C more cheese next time. Will definitely make again, so healthy and easy! Thanks for the great recipe!
I made these tonight and they are just so delicious! I followed the recipe exactly. I can’t wait for my little one to try them tomorrow!
Oh that's so great, Cindy! So glad to hear it and I hope your little one loves them as much as my girls do!
I just stumbled upon some quinoa in my pantry that I didn't know I had, and have been looking for a great recipe to make with it. This will be on our menu this week! Broccoli and cheddar is such a classic pairing, and the texture must be fantastic with the quinoa. I love the story about how you dropped them off at daycare too. Good for you for being a healthy mom and introducing the kids to such a great treat!
Ha I am right there with you with being 'that mom'. My daughter brings a homemade bento box for lunch every day and I have always gotten a comment from the teachers that 'that looks very healthy...' This morning one of them told me they have had to introduce hummus and veggie sticks to the kids afternoon snack menu because everyone keeps trying to eat my daughters at lunch 🙂 Victory! These bars look FANTASTIC, and I can't wait to try them out on my kids (who already prefer quinoa and broccoli casserole over mac n cheese 🙂 so I know they will be a huge hit)
Victory indeed!! That's so awesome! Hooray for being 'those' moms! 😛
I'm "that mom" too when it comes to preschool snacks, lol. Ours is a co-op so we take turns bringing snacks for the entire class and it's usually fruit snacks and gold fish. So last time I did plaintain chips with guacamole and the kids went crazy for it! Healthy fats for the win! I'm signed up again towards the end of March and will be taking these bars!
Oh that's so great! Plantain chips and guac sound like an AMAZING snack!! Oooh, thank you! Let me know how they go over! 😀
Is the broccoli raw or cooked in these bars?
Hi JoAnn, it's added to the bars raw before the bars are cooked. 🙂
These look so good and so nutritious! And thing that is cheesy is always a winner here. I think these would be great with soup for an easy and protein packed lunch.
Oh my gosh. This is like, the healthy version of one of my childhood faves: broccoli casserole. I mean, almost, right? Haha. I love the idea of savory bars. And hey, it's totally okay to be *that* Mom if *that* Mom means you're introducing your little human to awesome and nutritious food. Avocado toast is awesome, and there is NO denying that. When I have a little one, I will totally be that Mom too <3
Could I use left over cooked broccoli? Also could I use vegan cheese my son has a dairy sensitivity. Do you think these would be good for baby led weaning?
Definitely to the leftover cooked broccoli! I don’t know much about vegan cheese, but I’d say I f it melts well, then yes! This is great for BLW!