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Baked broccoli quinoa protein cakes are the easy solution you need for lunch, dinner, or snack attacks. Gluten-free, vegan, and oil-free, they are also a great way to use up broccoli stems.

baked broccoli quinoa cakes on white parchment paper
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Baked Broccoli Quinoa Protein Cakes are quick and easy to make, as well as very delicious. You can put away your frying pan: these easy quinoa cakes are baked at high heat on a baking sheet instead.

More good news: you can make and bake all of the patties at one time, or refrigerate or freeze some or all of the uncooked broccoli quinoa patties for future quick meals and snacks.

Low Waste Option

If you are looking for more options to use up vegetable scraps and leftovers, this is a great option. Use all broccoli stems instead of florets (I toss chopped stems in the freezer for future uses), and use leftover quinoa.

Recipe Benefits

  • Vegan (egg-free, dairy-free)
  • High protein (6 grams per serving)
  • Frugal
  • Easy to make
  • Gluten-free
  • Make ahead option
  • Oil-free (no olive oil, vegetable oil, or other oils)
  • Baked, not fried

Ingredients

The exact amounts of each ingredient are indicated in the recipe card at the end of the post. Toggle between US Customary (volume) and Metric (weights) for preferred measurement option.

  • uncooked quinoa (see notes for using cooked quinoa)
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • broccoli pieces, (broccoli florets & broccoli stems, or all stems)
  • cooked white beans (canned, or homemade, drained, such as cannellini, white navy, or Great Northern)
  • nutritional yeast flakes
  • 3/4 cup oat flour, (certified GF, as needed; use more, as needed)
  • Optional (but recommended): 1.5 teaspoons each onion powder & garlic powder)

Step by Step Directions

Note that the complete directions are also in the recipe card below.

  • Bring the 1.5 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan set over high heat. Add the quinoa to the pan. Reduce the heat to medium heat, cover and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and keep covered for 10 minutes. Remove lid and fluff with a fork.
  • Preheat oven to 425F (215C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In food processor, place broccoli, beans, nutritional yeast, salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder and onion powder. Process until smooth (similar to hummus in texture). Transfer mixture to large bowl.
  • Add quinoa and oat flour to bowl with broccoli mixture. Mix with hands or silicone spatula until blended. If mixture seems too moist, add a tbsp or more oat flour.
  • Shape mixture into 24 3-inch (7.5 cm) cakes/ patties. Arrange on prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until browned. Serve warm, or cool completely.
unbaked broccoli quinoa cakes on a cutting board

Storage for Baked Broccoli Quinoa Protein Cakes

Store the cooled broccoli quinoa cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for one week or the freezer for up to six months.

broccoli quinoa protein cakes on parchment paper

FAQ

  • Can I make the recipe grain-free? Yes! Replace the oat flour with an equal amount of almond flour, or ground seeds (such as sunflower seed kernels or green pumpkin seeds).
  • Can I use cauliflower in place of broccoli? Yes! Replace the broccoli with an equal amount of cauliflower.
  • Can I use broccoli stems for the broccoli? Yes! This recipe is a great way to use up broccoli stems. Chop into pieces to measure two cups and then process, until smooth.
  • Can I leave out the nutritional yeast? Yes, you can omit it as you like.
  • Can I use already cooked quinoa in the recipe? Yes! You will need about 2.75 cups of cooked quinoa.
  • Can I use other grains in place of the quinoa? I have not tried it, but most likely yes. Consider using an equal amount of cooked millet or rice.
broccoli quinoa protein cakes on parchment
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5 from 7 votes

Broccoli Quinoa Protein Cakes (V, GF, Oil-free)

By: Camilla
Baked broccoli quinoa protein cakes are the easy solution you need for lunch, dinner, or snack attacks. Gluten-free, vegan, and oil-free, they are also a great way to use up broccoli stems.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 24 quinoa cakes

Ingredients 

  • 1.5 cups water
  • 1 cup quinoa, (uncooked)
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cup broccoli pieces, (florets & stem, see notes)
  • 1 cup cooked white beans , (canned, or homemade, drained, such as cannellini, white navy, or Great Northern)
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
  • Optional (but recommended): 1.5 teaspoons each onion powder & garlic powder)
  • 3/4 cup oat flour, (certified GF, as needed; use more, as needed)

Instructions 

  • Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan set over high heat. Add the quinoa to the pan. Reduce the heat to medium heat, cover and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and keep covered for 10 minutes. Remove lid and fluff with a fork.
  • Preheat oven to 425F (215C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In food processor, place broccoli, beans, nutritional yeast, salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder and onion powder. Process until smooth (similar to hummus in texture). Transfer mixture to large bowl.
  • Add quinoa and oat flour to bowl with broccoli mixture. Mix with hands or silicone spatula until blended. If mixture seems too moist, add more oat flour.
  • Shape mixture into 24 3-inch (7.5 cm) cakes/ patties. Arrange on prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until browned. Serve warm, or cool completely.

Notes

Storage: Store the cooled quinoa cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 week or the freezer for up to 6 months.
Make it Grain-Free: Replace the oat flour with an equal amount of almond flour, or ground seeds (such as sunflower seed kernels or green pumpkin seeds).
Cauliflower Variation: Replace the broccoli with an equal amount of cauliflower.
Broccoli Option: Use stems! This recipe is a great way to use up broccoli stems. Chop into pieces to measure two cups and then process, until smooth.
Use Leftover or Ready-Cooked Quinoa: you can use quinoa that has already been cooked (leftovers or ready-to-eat). You will need about 2.75 cups of cooked quinoa.

Nutrition

Serving: 4cakes | Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 6.5g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Sodium: 154mg | Potassium: 248mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 96IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 2mg
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About Camilla

I'm Camilla, food writer, author, runner, and spin instructor. PowerHungry® is where I share my easy, minimalist, plant-based recipes, designed for living a healthy, delicious, empowered life.

5 from 7 votes

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16 Comments

  1. I haven’t tried this recipe yet but was wondering what might work as a substitute for the beans. I follow a low FODMAP diet and have to avoid them.

    1. Hi Avi! I think you could use an extra (cooked) cup of quinoa OR an extra cooked cup of broccoli ((or a combo, an extra 1/2 cup of each ). Cheers!

  2. 5 stars
    Thought you should know these were big hits with my 3 and 6 year old. I eat some dairy so used Asiago in place of the nutritional yeast. Used the variation (cauliflower) so they did not know they were eating vegetables!

  3. 5 stars
    Hi Camilla, these are fantastic. I used almond meal and jarred artichoke hearts in place of the beans to keep them Paelo, then fired n a little but of coconut oil. I’ll be making these again.

  4. 5 stars
    I am adding these to my list of savory protein “bars” (little bites for snacks that aren’t sweet). Such easy ingredients, thanks! Im going to try with cauliflower and broccoli, maybe even some beets added in.

  5. 5 stars
    Hi Camilla,

    This recipe is delicious. I “fried” them in a cast iron skillet (no oil) so they got really crispy on the outsides.

    1. Hi Laina,

      Yes, you could definitely bake. Perhaps spritz with a bit of olive oil before putting them in the oven at 400 or 425F. I think I would heat up the baking pan and use a piece of parchment –having the pan hot would help with browning the cakes 🙂

  6. 5 stars
    I love these, Camilla! I made them for dinner tonight. I am a longtime follower of your blog and I have to say I just love the new website and concept!

  7. 5 stars
    These are great! I’ve been searching for recipes to freeze for later and find that little cakes/patties work well. I followed your advice and baked 8 (toaster oven) and then froze the rest (on baking sheet, then removed to a sealable bag). Thank you!