[These quick and easy Thai Quinoa Balls or Bites make a perfect snack or appetizer! They’re vegan, sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg free, soy-free, yeast-free, and low glycemic. Suitable for all stages on an anti-candida diet.]

These days, I never leave the house without at least a small ziploc of nuts and seeds (in case I get stuck in traffic and find myself ravenous, for instance). But it took a bit of time and experimentation to discover the best options for prepared foods that were also portable.

Thai Quinoa Balls or Bites with Optional Peanut-Free Dipping Sauce
These tasty patties or balls are a perfect take-along snack on their own. For added zest or to serve as an appetizer, pair them with the peanut-free dipping sauce.
For the Bites:
1-1/2 cups (360 ml) cooked quinoa (white or red work best)
1 cup (240 ml) cooked navy, white or kidney beans
2 Tbsp (30 ml) chopped cilantro or parsley leaves
3 Tbsp (45 ml) natural smooth almond butter (can sub with peanut butter if allowed)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp (15 ml) gluten free soy sauce or tamari
3 Tbsp (45 ml) ground flax seeds (from about 1-1/2 Tbsp/22.5 ml whole seeds)
1/4 cup full-fat coconut milk
1/4 tsp (1 ml) ground ginger
1/4 tsp (1 ml) chili flakes
For the Dipping Sauce:
3/4 cup 180 ml) natural smooth almond butter (can sub with peanut butter if allowed)
1/4 cup full-fat coconut milk
1-1/2 Tbsp (22.5) fresh lime juice (about one small lime)
2 Tbsp (30 ml) gluten free soy sauce or tamari
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbsp (30 ml) chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 tsp (5 ml) toasted sesame oil
5 drops plain pure stevia liquid
2-4 Tbsp (30-60 ml) water, as needed
Make the bites: Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Line a large cookie sheet with parchment.
In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the quinoa and beans to break up the beans (the mixture should still be chunky). Add remaining ingredients and process for a few seconds just to incorporate everything smoothly.
Using a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon, measure out the dough and roll into balls about 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter and place on the cookie sheet. For bites, flatten each ball to about 1/2 inch (13 mm) thickness. For balls, leave as they are.
Bake 30-35 minutes, until the bites are dry outside and beginning to brown. Cool. Best served at room temperature, but can be reheated as well. (Note that the bites will seem fragile when just taken out of the oven; they will firm up when cool). Makes 18-20 bites or balls. May be frozen.
If desired, while the bites bake, make the sauce: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth (a hand blender works well, too). Use as a dipping sauce or drizzle over the bites. Makes about 1-1/2 cups (360 ml). Store, covered, in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
Suitable for: ACD all stages; refined sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg free, soy-free, yeast-free, vegan, low glycemic.
This recipe was originally created for the (free!) Snackable ebook by Alisa Fleming of Go Dairy Free. Learn more here, or get the book on amazon.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase using those links, at no cost to you, I will receive a small percentage of the sale.
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Hi Ricki
I really enjoy a lots of your recipe I been vegetarian almost 30 years one’s every 3-4 month
I mite have wild fish.
this morning I did the apple fritter ring I use only one tablespoon of sugar
and my spread was homemade coconut yogurt kefir yum yum I also want to mention
I came across about flax seed is high estrogen so I use chia instead .
Today I want to try those quinoa ball.
enjoy your day.
Glad you enjoyed the apple fritters, Raymonde! I think they’d be great wtih coconut yogurt kefir, too. Do let me know what you think of these if you give them a try!
These look yummy : ) Can I ask what makes these not acceptable for phase 1 of anti-candida? Maybe I have forgotten all the limitations.
Yikes, Lauren–my error!! I thought they had flour in them, but nope. 🙂 So yes, they are just fine for Stage One!! (Yippee).
Oh my! Ricki! Is it really true that quinoa is suitable for stage 1? I thought it wasn’t, but this really made my day! Yay!
Floortje, it depends whose diet you follow. Some allow it; others don’t. There are many anti-candida diets out there and they all work for at least some of the people. . . which is why I like to see people working with a practitioner who can help you find the diet that will work for you. I was allowed quinoa in stage one, and I had no problem with it. 🙂