JalapeñO Popper Bites

Name: JalapeñO Popper Bites
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked quinoa; 1 cup corn flour (certified gluten-free if necessary), plus more if needed; 3 or 4 small jalapeños, seeded and chopped; 2 tbsp. unsweetened nondairy milk (nut-free and/or soy-free if necessary; see Variations); 2 tbsp. lime juice; 2 tbsp. vegan cream cheese or mayonnaise (soy-free if necessary); 3 tbsp. nutritional yeast; 1 tsp. ground cumin; ½ tsp. ground coriander; ½ tsp. smoked paprika; to taste salt and black pepper; sunflower or canola oil for frying; salsa

Combine the quinoa, corn flour, jalapeños, milk, lime juice, cream cheese or mayonnaise, nutritional yeast, cumin, coriander, and paprika in a large bowl and mix until fully combined. It should be …

Cook40 min
Total40 min
Serves12
LevelEasy

Lunch Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Vegan Vegetarian American

Ingredients

2 cups cooked quinoa
1 cup corn flour (certified gluten-free if necessary), plus more if needed
3 or 4 small jalapeños, seeded and chopped
2 tbsp. unsweetened nondairy milk (nut-free and/or soy-free if necessary; see Variations)
2 tbsp. lime juice
2 tbsp. vegan cream cheese or mayonnaise (soy-free if necessary)
3 tbsp. nutritional yeast
1 tsp. ground cumin
½ tsp. ground coriander
½ tsp. smoked paprika
to taste salt and black pepper
sunflower or canola oil for frying
salsa

Preparation

Combine the quinoa, corn flour, jalapeños, milk, lime juice, cream cheese or mayonnaise, nutritional yeast, cumin, coriander, and paprika in a large bowl and mix until fully combined. It should be moist and hold together when squeezed, but not wet like batter. If it’s too wet, add corn flour by the tablespoon until you have the right consistency. Add salt and pepper.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the mixture into your hand and shape it into a ball. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
Heat a large frying pan, preferably cast iron, over medium heat. Pour in enough oil to coat the bottom and heat for 2 to 3 minutes. It is important to give the oil enough time to heat. (The bites will fall apart if the oil is not hot enough.) Check to make sure it’s hot enough by adding a pinch of the dough to the pan. If it sputters and sizzles, the oil is ready. Line a plate with paper towels.
Carefully place 5 or 6 bites in the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until golden and firm, flipping them every 30 seconds or so to cook on all sides. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to the plate, placing more paper towels on top to absorb the excess oil. Repeat with the remaining bites, adding more oil to the pan as needed (allow the oil to heat each time you add more). Serve warm, with salsa for dipping. These are best eaten the same day but will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 to 2 days.
VARIATIONS: Make these poppers extra hot by replacing half or all of the milk with hot sauce.
To bake the poppers instead of frying them, preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC), place the poppers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, and bake for 30 minutes, flipping once halfway through.