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Quinoa just got so much better.

Coconut Crusted Brie Stuffed Quinoa Bites | halfbakedharvest.com

And I really loved it before.

But this quinoa? It’s bite size and it is stuffed to the max with ooey gooey brie.

Coconut Crusted Brie Stuffed Quinoa Bites | halfbakedharvest.com

 And there are sweet cranberries involved too. I almost added pomegranates, but stopped myself in fear that you guys would think I was addicted or something.

I kind of am though.

Coconut Crusted Brie Stuffed Quinoa Bites | halfbakedharvest.com

And brie, I cannot get enough brie! Blame it on the time of year. I feel like brie is a holiday staple for most people because it has universal appeal. I mean how can you not love brie, it is so creamy and delicious? I basically want to pair it with anything and everything.

But who wouldn’t?

 

Coconut Crusted Brie Stuffed Quinoa Bites | halfbakedharvest.com

If I am being honest, I hate appetizers and used to never make them.

But I only hate them because I love them so much. What?

Let me explain.

Coconut Crusted Brie Stuffed Quinoa Bites | halfbakedharvest.com

When I was a kid every summer my grandma and I would take a girls trip to Florida. Just her and I in the summertime Florida heat for a whole week. Other than Christmas, this week was probably one of my favorite weeks of the year.

We would shop, do a little lunch, I would sit in the sun (she would nap), then we’d shop some more and then it was time for dinner. Like I said, awesome. Every night before we went to dinner we would sit out on the deck and have appetizers and drinks. Wine for her, sparkling water for me (in a fun margarita glass!) and tons of cheese and crackers. It was good stuff. The only problem was, we would fill up on cheese and crackers and never be even able to make a dent in our fancy restaurant meals.

Coconut Crusted Brie Stuffed Quinoa Bites | halfbakedharvest.com

So, appetizers were something I saved for Florida. Unfortunately, we have not done that since I was thirteen.

Well, I have decided it is time to get back on the appetizer train. You would think that after all these year I would have learned some self-control, but all I learned was to make better appetizers and not to share.

Oops.

Coconut Crusted Brie Stuffed Quinoa Bites | halfbakedharvest.com

Ok, but really, these are incredible. If you are not a coconut fan don’t freak out, you will still adore these and if you really just cannot even do coconut, swap it out for more panko or… gosh, go crazy and use crushed potato chips. Yum.

These little bites are perfect in every way. They come out of the oven oozing, but you can still pick them up right away and devour. The quinoa works amazingly well and stays pretty sturdy despite being stuffed with brie.

Oh, and the best part is that these are not complicated at all and can be made and assembled ahead of time. Then just throw them in the oven ten minutes before you are ready to serve. I personally love these when they’re hot and gooey with a little bit of the sweet cranberries, but they can also be served at room temp.

But, hear me when I say, warm and gooey is where it is at.

Coconut Crusted Brie Stuffed Quinoa Bites | halfbakedharvest.com

Coconut Crusted Brie Stuffed Quinoa Bites with Sweet Cranberries

Author: Tieghan Gerard
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 30 30 Bites
Calories Per Serving: 126 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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Ingredients

Quinoa Bites

  • 2 cups cooked quinoa
  • 1 cup cannellini beans mashed
  • 1/2 cups Panko bread crumbs
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1 clove garlic grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 cup blue cheese finely crumbled (or your can swap mozzarella or goat cheese)
  • 1 ounce wheel of brie chilled, 8

For Coating

  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 2 tablespoon coconut milk or buttermilk
  • 3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut or you may use sweetened

Sweet Cranberries

  • 2 cups fresh cranberries
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup water
  • zest of one orange
  • 1 jalapeño seeded and chopped (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Place your round of brie in the freezer while you make the cranberries and quinoa mixture.
  • Add cranberries, brown sugar, honey, water and half of the orange zest to a medium saucepan, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside until ready to serve.
  • In the meantime, combine the quinoa, mashed cannellini beans, bread crumbs, egg, garlic, salt and pepper. Mix well to moisten the ingredients and then mix in the crumbled blue cheese. Mix well again and form into 28-30 equal balls. Place on a plate and put in the fridge.
  • Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
  • Remove the brie from the freezer and dice it into 28-30 equal chunks. Some may be bigger than others, but in general aim for the same size. Grab the quinoa balls and, working with one at a time, push one cube of brie into the middle of the ball and form the quinoa into a smooth ball around the brie, making sure all of the brie is covered. Repeat with the remaining balls. The cubes of brie may seem big for the size of you balls, but you want lots of brie! If you find that a few of you brie cubes are just too big, cut them in half.
  • Place the remaining 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs, the 3/4 cup shredded coconut and a good pinch of pepper in a shallow bowl. Add the eggs and buttermilk to another shallow bowl. Dip the balls through the egg and then carefully coat them in the coconut. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with the remaining balls. Bake for 10-15 minutes, just until the tops of the balls begin to brown. I like to rotate and check the balls after 8 or so minutes of baking. Do not bake longer than 15 minutes or all the brie will ooze out!

Notes

*These can be fully assembled ahead of time and baked right before serving. Just rewarm the cranberries on the stove or in the microwave. *Quinoa Adapted from these [burgers. | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/epic-crispy-quinoa-burgers-topped-sweet-potato-fries-beer-caramelized-onions-gruyere/]
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Coconut Crusted Brie Stuffed Quinoa Bites | halfbakedharvest.com

The deliciousness is overwhelming!

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Comments

  4. Warm and goo me, sister! These look incredible! Everyone ever should have them for a holiday party! I love the creamy, salty, sweet you’ve got going on…and all the crisp…gloooory hallelujah!

    Reply

  7. Looks delish Tieghan! I’m a an appetizer girl through and through. Could eat them all day. Pinning. 🙂

    Reply

  8. Ahh, these look like the best appetizers ever. Quinoa and coconut feel like they’re meant to be together somehow…. love this!
    Pinning!

    Reply

  9. These are so genius! I love this idea. Like i LOVE it. I will be making these for my contribution to our family Christmas eve party. Yup – awesome. Think I can freeze these and then just bake ’em off?

    Reply

    1. I do think these can be frozen, but I cannot be sure since I have never done it. I would do a test run just to make sure. You do not want any disasters on Christmas Eve!
      Thanks Maria! Let me know if you have any more questions!

      Reply

  10. are you SERIOUS with this one?! legit dying/doing backflips/having a panic attack/omg is this real liiiife?! levels of excitment. coconut and brie are two of my favorite things, this is unreal and soo creative!! love/pinned!

    Reply

  11. I am the same way – the apps become the main dish! And this one would be no exception. I love how you can make things cheesy, easy, and healthy(ish)! Brie is just amazing and panko crumbs and cannelini beans? I’m hungry! Pinned!

    Reply

  12. These look dangerously good Tieghan – I’m afraid I might pop a whole plate into my mouth!

    Reply

  13. These look crazy good! I am a sucker for brie + cranberry and the coconut factor just puts it over the top. These would vanish at any party for sure!

    Reply

  14. The combo of the salty brie and tangy cranberries – HEAVENLY. And I know some apps can be a total fussy pain to make and can relate to what you said but these look so, so worth it!! pinned!

    Reply

  15. These look wonderful, and since I am the appetizer guru at family get togethers, I will be
    for sure making these!

    Reply