Blueberry and Lemon Zest Cottage Cheese Bites Recipe
These Blueberry and Lemon Zest Cottage Cheese Bites are a delightful and nutritious snack or breakfast option. Combining creamy cottage cheese with wholesome oats and fresh blueberries, they offer a perfect balance of protein, fiber, and natural sweetness. Enhanced with bright lemon zest and a touch of honey or maple syrup, these mini bites are easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection in a mini muffin pan.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini bites 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 large lemon (about 1 tbsp)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
Add-ins
- 3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (do not thaw)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan to prevent sticking during baking.
- Blend base ingredients: In a blender or food processor, combine the cottage cheese, rolled oats, egg, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, lemon zest, baking powder, and salt. Pulse until the oats are broken down and the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Fold in blueberries: Pour the blended batter into a bowl and gently fold in the fresh or frozen blueberries, taking care not to crush them.
- Rest the batter: Let the batter rest for 5 minutes so it can thicken slightly, improving the texture of the bites.
- Portion the batter: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared mini muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full to allow room for rising.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until the bites are firm to the touch and have developed a light golden color.
- Cool: Allow the cottage cheese bites to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps maintain their shape and texture.
Notes
- Use rolled oats for best texture; quick oats may alter the consistency.
- If using frozen blueberries, do not thaw to avoid excess moisture.
- These bites can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
- For a vegan variation, substitute the egg with a flax or chia egg and use vegan yogurt instead of cottage cheese.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of honey or maple syrup.
Keywords: blueberry bites, cottage cheese recipe, lemon zest snacks, healthy breakfast, mini muffins, protein snacks, oat bites
