Description
These Blueberry and Lemon Zest Cottage Cheese Bites are a healthy and delicious snack or breakfast option. Packed with protein-rich cottage cheese and rolled oats, sweetened naturally with honey or maple syrup, and bursting with fresh blueberries and a bright hint of lemon zest, these mini bites are both nutritious and satisfying. Perfectly portioned as mini muffins, they make a great grab-and-go treat that is quick to prepare and bake.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
Flavorings and Add-ins
- Zest of 1 large lemon (about 1 tbsp)
- 3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (do not thaw)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan to ensure the bites do not stick after baking.
- Blend Ingredients: In a blender or food processor, combine the cottage cheese, rolled oats, egg, honey, vanilla extract, lemon zest, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Pulse the mixture until the oats are broken down and the batter is well combined, creating a smooth consistency.
- Fold in Blueberries: Pour the batter into a mixing bowl and gently fold in the fresh or frozen blueberries carefully to avoid breaking them up.
- Rest Batter: Let the batter rest for 5 minutes; this allows it to thicken slightly, improving the final texture of the bites.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared mini muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full to allow space for rising.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until the bites are firm to the touch and lightly golden on top.
- Cool: Let the bites cool in the muffin pan for a few minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Do not thaw frozen blueberries before adding, as thawing can cause excess moisture that may affect the texture.
- You can substitute honey with maple syrup to make it vegan friendly if using a vegan egg substitute.
- If you prefer gluten-free, use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- These bites are perfect for meal prep and can be warmed up briefly before eating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast/Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini bite
- Calories: 45 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Fat: 1.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3.5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: blueberry bites, cottage cheese snacks, lemon zest muffins, healthy breakfast, protein bites, mini muffins, low fat snacks
