Description
This Crispy Quinoa recipe transforms fluffy quinoa into a crunchy, flavorful side dish using simple stovetop techniques. Cooked quinoa is cooled and then crisped in a skillet with olive oil and spices, creating a delightful texture contrast perfect for salads, bowls, or as a tasty standalone dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Quinoa
- 1 cup quinoa (rinsed)
- 2 cups water or vegetable broth (for cooking quinoa)
For Crisping and Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for extra flavor)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa: In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed quinoa and water or vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Fluff the quinoa: Uncover and fluff cooked quinoa gently with a fork to separate the grains and prevent clumping.
- Cool the quinoa: Spread the fluffy quinoa evenly on a large baking sheet or shallow tray. Allow it to cool to room temperature for about 10 minutes to dry out slightly, which helps achieve a crispier texture during cooking.
- Heat the oil: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil or coconut oil. Allow it to heat up until shimmering but not smoking.
- Crisp the quinoa: Add the cooled quinoa to the hot skillet, spreading it out evenly. Let it cook undisturbed for 5 to 7 minutes to crisp up on the bottom. Then carefully flip quinoa over in sections and continue cooking for another 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Season the quinoa: Sprinkle cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper over the crispy quinoa and toss gently to combine evenly. For extra flavor, add a squeeze of lemon juice and mix.
- Serve and garnish: Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish the quinoa with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm as a side dish or sprinkle over salads, grain bowls, or roasted vegetables for added crunch and flavor.
Notes
- Using vegetable broth instead of water adds extra flavor to the quinoa.
- Make sure quinoa is spread out and cooled before crisping to avoid steaming and sogginess.
- Flipping the quinoa carefully helps achieve even crispiness without breaking the grains too much.
- Adjust spices like cumin and paprika to your taste or omit if preferred.
- This crispy quinoa is great for meal prep as it maintains texture when reheated in a skillet.
