
Quinoa was a food I used a lot in baby led weaning with Mini Jones. It is gluten free, high in protein and contains all nine essential amino acids. No wonder it is considered a health food! These cauliflower cheese bites were great for both blw meals and snacks. I especially loved them as they could be eaten cold and were easy to transport in a cool bag. (See the baby led weaning tip below.)
Now Mini Jones is a toddler, he loves having meals where he can dip things, and these quinoa bites are perfect for that.
Full of cauliflower, quinoa, ricotta and a little cheese, they can be eaten hot or cold and are one of our favourite quinoa toddler recipes along with these Garlic Mushroom Quinoa Bites
But these aren’t just for babies and kids! I love serving them as part of a mezze with a hot spicy dip, and for lunch with a rocket salad on the side. They are filling, but you don’t get that afternoon slump that you would with a sandwich.
Do these cauliflower cheese quinoa bites freeze?
They do freeze, but the cauliflower can go a little watery. Mini Jones didn’t mind as a baby, but if serving them as part of a lunch I would suggest not freezing them. They keep in the fridge for a couple of days if you want to make them ahead.
Cauliflower Cheese Quinoa bites for baby led weaning
Blend the cooked cauliflower, quinoa, ricotta and cheese to a paste then continue as per recipe. If your baby is ready for a little texture, just blend the cauliflower or chop it really finely before adding to the rest of the ingredients.
Make Them Yours:
Extra Flavours: Add a little dijon mustard
Quinoa: Use white quinoa or a mixture of white, red & black (which I used in the picture above)
If you are looking for blw snacks (which are also great for the rest of the family), have a look at these nut free Spinach Pesto Pinwheels, these no added sugar Banana Pear Muffins, or this healthy Pear Flapjack
Cauliflower Cheese Bites
Author: Robyn
Ingredients
- 250 g cauliflower cooked
- 1 egg
- 60 g cooked quinoa
- 150 g ricotta
- 25 g grated cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180˚C/ 350˚F
- To make the bites for younger babies: Put all the ingredients in a blender/food processor and blend until you have a smooth puree. If your baby is ready for a little texture, stop when you have a rough puree.
- For older babies/toddlers: mash the cauliflower slightly and chop any stalk into small pieces, then mix with the remaining ingredients.
- Put dessertspoonfuls of the mixture onto a tray lined with baking paper.
- Put in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, turning the bites after 10 minutes, until lightly golden and cooked through.
- Store in the fridge for 1-2 days or freeze for 1-2 months.
Nutrition
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