Crispy, crunchy, and protein-packed, puffed quinoa is the effortless ingredient you didn’t know your meals were missing! Learn how to make puffed quinoa and you can add this gluten-free, whole-grain garnish to every smoothie bowl, salad, sweet, and more.
A light topping that easily adds texture to any dish, puffed quinoa is a tempting way to use the Success® boil-in-bag tri-color quinoa you already know and love. Ready in minutes in a hot pan, puffed quinoa is the crispy alter ego of the generally chewy seeds (or pseudo-grains). Plus, puffing quinoa doesn’t affect its super-star nutritional status! Similar to boiled quinoa, puffed quinoa retains its fiber and minerals, and is still a complete protein, as it contains all nine amino acids.
It’s time to look at quinoa in a brand new way! Heat up some Success® boil-in-bag tri-color quinoa until you hear it crackle and puff, then add it to every dish coming out of your kitchen. Nutty, toasty, rich and golden, it’s the indispensable ingredient you didn’t know your pantry was hiding!
What You’ll Need to Make Puffed Quinoa
It’s easy to learn how to make puffed quinoa at home, meaning that you can enjoy this simply satisfying ingredient anytime the craving strikes. Gather the following tools and ingredients before you get started:
- 1 bag Success® boil-in-bag tri-color quinoa or 1/2 cup raw quinoa
- Salt
- Sieve/Strainer
- Baking sheet
- Paper towel
- Heavy-bottomed skillet or saucepan
- Measuring spoons
How to Make Puffed Quinoa: Step-by-Step Instructions
Armed with all of the tools and ingredients you’ll need to make a batch of puffed quinoa, it’s time to start cooking!
- If using pre-rinsed Success® boil-in-bag tri-color quinoa, skip to step 3. Otherwise, place quinoa in sieve. Rinse under cool water to remove saponins that can lend quinoa a bitter taste.
- Line baking sheet with paper towel. Spread rinsed quinoa over baking sheet and allow to air-dry for 10 minutes.
- Place skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add 3 tablespoons of quinoa. Shaking the pan continuously, cook the quinoa until it begins to pop and puff, similar to popcorn. Remove to a bowl and continue with remaining quinoa. Season with salt, if desired.
Common Mistakes (and Fixes) When Making Puffed Quinoa
As easy as it is to make puffed quinoa, things can sometimes go wrong. Learn how to troubleshoot with these handy tips and tricks.
How do I ensure the quinoa is completely dry before puffing?
After rinsing quinoa, and before puffing it in a hot pan, you want to ensure that it’s completely dry. Avoid rinsing altogether by using pre-rinsed Success® boil-in-bag tri-color quinoa. Otherwise, make sure to thoroughly pat any rinsed quinoa dry with paper towels, and to then allow it to air-dry before puffing. You can also dry rinsed quinoa for a few minutes in an oven heated to 200°F.
Why is my quinoa not puffing up and how can I fix it?
For best results, make sure you thoroughly dry your quinoa before puffing it. You’ll also want to make sure your pan is hot enough before you add the quinoa. It’s also important to use raw quinoa, as cooked quinoa won’t expand in the hot pan.
Why is my quinoa burning instead of puffing?
If your quinoa is burning instead of puffing, your pan may be too hot. It’s also important to puff small amounts of quinoa at a time and not crowd the pan. Shake the pan continuously so that the quinoa cooks evenly instead of scorching. As mentioned previously, using dry, raw quinoa is essential to perfectly puffed results.
Why is my puffed quinoa not crunchy?
If you begin with wet quinoa, it won’t puff up properly and won’t be crunchy. You don’t need oil or butter to make puffed quinoa; these can prevent quinoa from puffing properly and lead to chewy results.
How can I make puffed quinoa in an air fryer?
Most people don’t recommend making puffed quinoa in an air fryer. Puffing quinoa requires constant movement and high heat, so air-fryer results will be mixed. You can toast boiled quinoa in an air fryer but it will be chewier than puffed quinoa.
How can I make puffed quinoa in the oven?
Though quinoa won’t truly puff in the oven, you can toast cooked quinoa for a crisp and chewy snack or garnish. Simply spread boiled quinoa out on a baking tray and toss with a little olive oil, salt and pepper, if desired. Then, toast it in an oven heated to 425°F for 10-15 minutes, until golden and crispy.
How do I keep my puffed quinoa crunchy?
Puffed quinoa will stay light and crispy for 1-2 weeks in an air-tight container at room temperature. Just be sure to cool it down completely before putting it away.
Flavor Ideas and Variations
Once you master puffed quinoa, there’s no end to the ways you can season and flavor it to include in an array of tasty dishes!
- For sprinkling over salads and soups, or using on top of casseroles and pasta dishes as an alternative to breadcrumbs, try puffed quinoa with savory seasonings, like sea salt, garlic powder, furikake and nutritional yeast. You can also try stirring puffed quinoa with spices and dried herbs, such as paprika, curry powder, cumin, oregano, dill or thyme.
- Puffed quinoa seasoned with cinnamon sugar, cocoa powder or maple sugar is a delicious addition to smoothies and yogurt bowls, cereal, desserts and more.
- Make a DIY trail mix by combining puffed quinoa with nuts, seeds, chocolate chips and dried fruit. You can also stir it with nut butter for a textured, protein-packed garnish to layer onto a parfait or breakfast bowl.
How to Use Puffed Quinoa in Everyday Meals
Boiled, toasted or puffed, quinoa is a versatile ingredient that can be used in countless ways! An easy way to add protein and nutrients to any meal, puffed quinoa is also irresistible, thanks to its captivating crunch. Whether you like it savory or sweet, learn to incorporate puffed quinoa into every meal.
- Start the day with yogurt, oatmeal or a smoothie bowl topped with a crunchy puffed quinoa garnish. You can also eat puffed quinoa as a gluten-free cereal substitute with milk or your favorite non-dairy alternative.
- Improve snack time with puffed quinoa granola bars or energy bites. Simply add it to your favorite recipe, or look for a simple, no-bake recipe that can be easily upgraded with a generous dose of puffed quinoa!
- Keep seasoned puffed quinoa on hand and add protein to any lunchtime salad, soup or wrap.
- Serve puffed quinoa for dinner, atop a favorite pasta dish or casserole. You can also mix it with grains, boiled quinoa or fluffy Success® boil-in-bag brown rice, for a nutty, whole-grain companion to any main dish.
Creamy Golden Beet Hummus with Toasted Quinoa
Golden, crunchy Success® boil-in-bag tri-color quinoa adds textural intrigue to this starter of velvety beet hummus and crisp crudités. Serve this to a hungry group of friends to get any party started, or enjoy it as a protein-rich lunch on a busy day.
Crunchy Quinoa Spring Salad
Simple? Sure. But, with butter lettuce, avocado, radishes and goat cheese, this unfussy spring salad packs plenty of punch. Toasted quinoa is a hearty addition that makes this vegetarian main as filling as any meat-topped counterpart.
Puffed Quinoa Chocolate
Creamy and crunchy, rich and dreamy, these chocolatey quinoa bites can satisfy a room full of sweet teeth! Dress them up with nuts and dried fruit, or leave them as is. Either way, they’re a delicious treat that you can whip up in minutes with pantry staples you probably already have on hand.
