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Last Updated on January 22, 2026 by Tiffany
These Jamaican style quinoa fritters are well seasoned, insanely delicious, protein packed, fiber rich and nutrient dense!
In Jamaica, we have banana fritters as well as saltfish fritters that are quite popular. But here on Ital Eats and Treats, we do things with a creative plant based island twist! I’ve also created recipes to chickpea fritters, plantain fritters and even callaloo fritters, all Jamaican style!
Grab all the recipes to my other fritter dishes here!
I decided to create this quinoa fritter recipe because it is made with traditional Jamaican fritter ingredients and has herbs like fresh thyme and scotch bonnet. The flavor is fully Jamaican with a creative plant based twist- quinoa!
What You’ll Need- Quinoa Fritters
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Scallion
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Onion
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Bell Pepper
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Scotch Bonnet
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Garlic
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Thyme
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Chickpea Flour
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Water
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Jamaican All Purpose Seasoning
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Italian Seasoning
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Garlic Powder
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No Salt Seasoning
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Old Bay Seasoning
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Black Pepper
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Salt
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Cooked Quinoa
How to make Quinoa Fritters
Step One:
Chop your scallion, bell pepper, garlic cloves, and onion into tiny pieces. De-stem your thyme so you’re only left with the leaves, feel free to discard the stem.
De-seed the scotch bonnet and chop into small pieces. This is an important step, the seeds are very hot! The paper will primarily be used for flavor so be sure to discard the seeds or leave just a few! (like two)
Step Two:
Combine all your fresh herbs, cooked quinoa, and the rest of the ingredients into a bowl and combine until a wet batter has formed. It should not be too thick but no super runny either.
It should be semi firm enough to form balls into your hand but it will still be quite sticky.
Step Three:
Prepare a pan with oil for a shallow fry. Form desired size balls stop your hand and place them into the oil flattening with a spoon or spatula.
Allow each side to fry for about 5 minutes or until golden brown.
Step Four:
Once each fritter is cooked, place on a paper towel lined plate and allow to cool for a few minutes. Serve alone or alongside a main dish and enjoy!
How to store Quinoa Fritters
I definelty nyam up di whole a mi fritters in one shot but if you have leftovers, freezing is the best method! Allow them to cool completely, store in a freezer safe container and keep for up to 2 weeks.
When you’re ready to re-heat, place them in the oven or air fryer at 400F/ 204 C for a few minutes and they should be crispy once again!
Did you enjoy this recipe? Sharing is caring! Be sure to share with family and friends and save to your Pinterest board for later
Check out these other fritter recipes you’ll also love
Vegan Jamaican Saltfish Fritters
Crispy Quinoa Fritters
Ingredients
- 4 Scallion
- 1/4 Onion
- 1/2 Bell Pepper
- 1/2 Scotch Bonnet Pepper de-seeded!
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 2 stems Fresh Thyme remove from the stem
- 6 Tablespoons Water
- 1 Cup Cooked Quinoa can be any color but I used white
- 7 Tablespoons Chickpea flour
Dry Seasonings
- 1 Teaspoon Jamaican All Purpose Seasoning
- 1/2 Teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon No Salt Seasoning I use Ms. Dash brand
- 1/2 Teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- to taste Black Pepper
- to taste Salt
Instructions
- Chop your scallion, bell pepper, garlic cloves, and onion into tiny pieces. De-stem your thyme so you're only left with the leaves, feel free to discard the stem.De-seed the scotch bonnet and chop into small pieces. This is an important step, the seeds are very hot! The paper will primarily be used for flavor so be sure to discard the seeds or leave just a few! (like two)
- Combine all your fresh herbs, cooked quinoa, and the rest of the ingredients into a bowl and combine until a wet batter has formed. It should not be too thick but no super runny either. It should be semi firm enough to form balls into your hand but it will still be quite sticky.
- Prepare a pan with oil for a shallow fry. Form desired size balls stop your hand and place them into the oil flattening with a spoon or spatula. Allow each side to fry for about 5 minutes or until golden brown.
- Once each fritter is cooked, place on a paper towel lined plate and allow to cool for a few minutes. Serve alone or alongside a main dish and enjoy!
