These Buffalo Quinoa balls are a great vegan option to get that hot sauce fix without any meat. They're perfect for game day, parties or anytime you want a little kick!
I love anything spicy. I try to hold back from making too many spicy recipes but I can't help myself sometimes. Some of my favorite recipes include a bit of heat like my Vegan Buffalo Chicken Rice Skillet, Buffalo Cauliflower Mac & Cheese, and my Spicy Sesame Noodles (trust me, they're good).
Hot sauce has been a staple of mine since my undergraduate days. My roommate Alana was from Buffalo and Buffalonians always had some hot sauce around to throw on just about anything. Alana got me into that habit and now I carry around a small hot sauce in my purse just in case (don't judge).
My friend Kevin shares my love of Buffalo sauce and I wanted to make a vegan version of the sauce for him because he has been partaking in some of my plant-based recipes lately.
I really enjoy seeing people add vegan meals to their diet so I wanted to create a special treat for him that would give him a taste of Buffalo wings without any meat so I came up with these Buffalo Quinoa Balls.
Buffalo Quinoa Balls
I've seen other bloggers use quinoa in burgers and I thought it might work in sort of a meatball shape as well and I'm happy to say it did! These Buffalo Quinoa Balls are versatile - I've had them as an appetizer, on salads, and as part of my main meals. The quinoa adds protein, carbs, fiber, and iron.
I first fry the balls then bake them - the frying seems to help the balls stay together better since I'm not using egg as a binder. I also put the balls in the freezer for about 10 minutes before frying as well which keeps them in better ball form.
Add a Side of Ranch
I was never a big fan of blue cheese but I have always loved me some ranch so the dipping sauce is my take on a healthy ranch dressing using cashews. The cashews add protein as well as magnesium (which many people in the US are deficient in).
These buffalo quinoa balls offer a delightful twist on traditional flavors, combining the zest of buffalo sauce with the wholesome goodness of quinoa. They are not only a crowd-pleaser but also a testament to how creative one can be with nutritious ingredients. For those looking to boost their intake of essential vitamins and minerals, incorporating the best greens powders into your diet can complement such innovative recipes. By doing so, you ensure that your meals are not just flavorful but also packed with the nutritional benefits necessary for a well-rounded, health-conscious lifestyle.
If you make this recipe, let me know what you think by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below.
📖 Recipe
Buffalo Quinoa Balls with Ranch Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
QUINOA BALLS
- 1.5 Cup cooked quinoa , cooled
- 15 oz can of cannellini beans , drained and rinsed
- 1 flax egg (1 TB flax meal & 3 TB water - let sit 10 mins before using)
- 4 Tablespoons buffalo sauce (see below)
- ½ cup gluten free bread crumbs (can use regular if not gluten free)
- 1 Tablespoon nutritional yeast
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- pinch of salt
- olive or coconut oil for frying
BUFFALO SAUCE
- 3 Tablespoons vegan butter or coconut oil
- ½ Cup hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
RANCH DIPPING SAUCE
- 1.5 cup raw cashews , soaked overnight or in hot water for 10 mins
- ½ cup non-dairy milk
- 2.5 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoons nutritional yeast
- ½ Tablespoons fresh chives chopped
- ½ Tablespoons fresh dill
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon celery salt (or regular salt)
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Add all of the sauce ingredient in a small saucepan and heat until butter is melted and set aside.
- Add beans to food processor and mix until smooth (you may need to add a tablespoon of water to get it smooth). If you do not have a food processor, you can mash them with your hands but the texture will be a little less smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the bean mixture, flax egg and 3 TB of sauce. Then add cooled quinoa, bread crumbs, nutritional yeast, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and salt.
- Take quinoa mixture and form into about 1" balls (sometimes mine get a little larger).
- Put balls in freezer for 10 mins (optional but makes them stay together better).
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Heat 2-3 TB of oil (depending on how large you pan is) and fry quinoa balls for about 5 minutes flipping so that all sides get cooked. I usually do this in 2-3 batches.
- Place balls on cookie pan and bake for 15 mins.
- While balls are baking, make the ranch dipping sauce by adding all the ingredients to a high-speed blender and mix until smooth.
- When balls are done baking, you can coat them in the rest of buffalo sauce. Or what I like to do is keep them a bit more crunchy and only put the sauce on each ball right before I eat each one.
- Serve with dipping sauce on the side.
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional information data is computer generated and only an estimate so it should be used only as a guide.
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Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist who empowers vegans to feel clear and confident about what is uniquely nourishing to them. Mary Ellen's recipes and nutrition information have been featured on Yahoo News, Parade, VegNews, LIVESTRONG, Dr. Axe, Greatist, LIVEKINDLY, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more.
Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist who empowers vegans to feel clear and confident about what is uniquely nourishing to them.Mary Ellen's recipes and nutrition information have been featured on Yahoo News, Parade, VegNews, LIVESTRONG, Dr. Axe, Greatist, LIVEKINDLY, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more.
Amy says
I have a tree nut allergy can you suggest a replacement for the cashews?
Mary Ellen says
Hi Amy, Thanks for stopping by! I'm trying to think of what would work the same as cashews. I have heard sunflower seeds are good to replace tree nuts but I'm not exactly sure if it would work as I have not tried it and they are a bit different in taste than cashews as well as creaminess.
I do have another ranch type sauce that might be a good. I use this on my ranch pasta salad: https://vnutritionandwellness.com/ranch-pasta-salad/
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
I am a Buffalonian...born and raised! Love that you use Frank's hot sauce, THE only real Buffalo sauce. This looks delicious, such a creative way to use quinoa! We'll have to try this out!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Janelle! Yes, Frank's is the best!
Jessie @ The Acquired Sass says
I love hot sauce & buffalo anything. I'm not quite keep a bottle in my purse status. But, if I ever start carrying a purse I think that will be an essential!
#BestofBlogs
Mary Ellen says
I'm on a cruise and they have tiny bottles of hot sauce at breakfast so I'm taking some for home lol.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
I love buffalo sauce a little too much 🙂 Thanks for linking up to Best of Blogs-- tweeted and pinned for you.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Julie!
Jac -Tinned Tomatoes (@tinnedtoms) says
Oh and forgot to say, tweeted, pinned and tumbled your recipe.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much!
Jac -Tinned Tomatoes (@tinnedtoms) says
Love these Mary Ellen. Thanks for submitting them to Meat Free Mondays, the roundup is now live and I feature them. Could I ask you link to the challenge in your post next time? If all the entrants do this hopefully all the recipes will be seen by more readers.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much for featuring these!
Yes, I totally will link in the post next time!
Deborah Smikle-Davis (@debsmikdav1) says
These are perfect for my next club meeting! My friends will love these awesome quinoa balls. Thanks for sharing your healthy and delectable Buffalo Quinoa Balls With Ranch Dipping Sauce recipe with us on the Plant-Based Potluck Party Link Up. I'm pinning and sharing.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Deborah! I hope your friends like them.
Miss Whisk (@Miss_Whisk) says
These look so good Mary Ellen! Pinned and can't wait to be back in the kitchen to try them. Thank you for joining us for Meatless Monday!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Sarah! Let me know what you think!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
right up my alley the spicier the better! Thanks for linking up today
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Deborah!
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
This sounds like such a great meal - I love the sound of the balls and the sauce!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Kari! 🙂
Life Diet Health says
Ooo I love everything about the recipe! 🙂 I've only recently started doing 'hot' so I'll see how it goes. Loving the quinoa balls 🙂 Thanks for bringing to the Plant Based Potluck Party this week.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much! Maybe start with just a tiny bit of the sauce to see how you to with the hotness. 🙂
Love the Plant Based Potluck party!
Johanna @ Green Gourmet Giraffe says
These look delicious - I have tried quinoa in meatball style balls and loved it but not with buffalo sauce (so it comes from buffalo - I thought perhaps people ate it with buffalo meat - am happier about the name now)
Mary Ellen says
Oh that would be terrible if they were made from buffalos! I'm so glad I added that tidbit in about where they came from! 🙂
I need to remember to explain things more about geography or US specific foods in my posts better now that I have more people coming to the blog from other countries! I love connecting with new friends form around the world!
kateringforveggies says
I'll definitely make these. They look amazing! With a husband obsessed with Sriracha sauce, I guess the Buffalo one could be a good alternative! Thank you for sharing!
Mary Ellen says
I'm obsessed with both sriracha and buffalo sauce so hopefully it would be a good alternative for your husband!
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
This recipe looks fabulous, love the ingredient list - never tried using quinoa! Thanks!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Christine! 🙂
Courtney's Cookbook says
Oh wow, do these look good! I'm going to try these out on some of the meat-lovers in my family-- I think they'll like them!
Mary Ellen says
That is a good test! Let me know what they think! 🙂
Vicki says
These look GREAT! I am so trying them out this weekend.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Vicki! Let me know what you think!
fitfoodiemama says
These look absolutely AMAZING. I cannot wait to give this a try- pinned for later! Thanks for linking up and sharing 🙂
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Annmarie! Let me know what you think of them!
Ellie says
So, a serving size is 20 of these?!? Just making sure against the nutritional facts and serving size you posted!!
Thanks!
Mary Ellen says
Hi Ellie, there's 20 servings (20 balls) so the nutritional info is per ball.
Julie Wunder says
I love buffalo hot sauce too! Love the idea of putting it on quinoa balls!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Julie! Love it when other people are into hot sauce as much as I am! 🙂
kimmythevegan says
Holy crap those look AMAZING. What a fun food to make. Terry would love these. I'm not a fan of hot sauce, but I might try to make them with bbq sauce. I know it probably won't be the same, but I'll give it a go.
Awesome job on this recipe!
Mary Ellen says
You don't like hot sauce!? I thought we were soul mates until I read that! Love you anyway lol. 🙂
I wonder how they'd be with bbq sauce. Let me know if you try them that way!
Cadry's Kitchen says
Oh, this recipe looks so delicious! I love buffalo sauce anywhere, any time. This likes a perfect new way to enjoy it!
Cadry's Kitchen says
(Oops. That's supposed to say 'This looks like a perfect new way..." My brain got ahead of my fingers!
Mary Ellen says
Haha, I actually read it the way you meant it!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Cadry! I'm so obsessed with buffalo sauce and I'm so glad to hear someone else is too!