Description
Delight in these light and nutritious Blueberry and Lemon Zest Cottage Cheese Bites, perfect for a wholesome breakfast or a healthy snack. Combining the creamy tang of cottage cheese with the fresh burst of blueberries and a subtle lemon zest, these mini bites are packed with protein and fiber, naturally sweetened with honey or maple syrup, and easy to prepare in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main 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
- 3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (do not thaw)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan to prevent the bites from sticking during baking.
- Blend 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 a pinch of salt. Pulse until the oats are broken down and the mixture is evenly blended into a smooth batter.
- Fold in Blueberries: Pour the blended batter into a mixing bowl, then gently fold in the fresh or frozen blueberries, being careful not to break them and maintaining their whole shape.
- Rest Batter: Let the batter rest for 5 minutes; this allows it to thicken slightly for better texture and easier portioning into the muffin cups.
- Fill Muffin Pan: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared mini muffin pan, filling each cup about three-quarters full to allow room for baking expansion.
- Bake: Bake the bites in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, until they are firm to the touch and exhibit a light golden color on top.
- Cool: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bites to cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Use rolled oats rather than instant oats for better texture.
- Frozen blueberries work well if fresh are not available, but do not thaw them to avoid excess moisture.
- You can substitute honey with maple syrup for a vegan-friendly option, though the recipe is not fully vegan due to the egg and cottage cheese.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cottage cheese with a plant-based yogurt, adjusting moisture as needed.
- Store leftover bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
- These bites are perfect for breakfast on-the-go or a protein-rich snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini bite
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 3.5g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 1.2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: blueberry bites, lemon zest muffins, cottage cheese snacks, healthy breakfast, protein bites, baked oats, easy snacks
