Blueberry and Lemon Zest Cottage Cheese Bites Recipe
These Blueberry and Lemon Zest Cottage Cheese Bites are wholesome, protein-packed mini muffins perfect for a nutritious breakfast or snack. Combining creamy cottage cheese with rolled oats, fresh blueberries, and vibrant lemon zest, these bites deliver a delightful balance of tangy and sweet flavors. They are naturally sweetened with honey or maple syrup and baked to a soft, moist texture with a lightly golden crust.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini bites 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 large lemon (about 1 tbsp)
Additional
- 3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (do not thaw)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: 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 salt. Pulse the mixture until the oats break down and the batter is well combined but still slightly textured.
- Fold in Blueberries: Transfer the batter to a mixing bowl and gently fold in the fresh or frozen blueberries, being careful not to break them up to retain burst of flavor in each bite.
- Rest Batter: Let the batter rest for about 5 minutes to allow it to thicken slightly, which helps the bites hold their shape when baked.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Spoon the batter into the prepared mini muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full to allow room for rising during baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until the bites are firm to the touch and have a light golden color on top.
- Cool: Remove the muffin pan from the oven and let the bites cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely to avoid sogginess and to ensure they set properly.
Notes
- Use frozen blueberries directly from the freezer to prevent the batter from turning blue and watery.
- For a vegan version, substitute the egg with a flax or chia egg and use a plant-based cottage cheese alternative.
- These bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- To reheat, warm in a microwave for 20-30 seconds or until heated through.
- The lemon zest adds a fresh zing; ensure you use unwaxed lemons and zest only the yellow part to avoid bitterness.
Keywords: blueberry bites, cottage cheese muffins, healthy breakfast bites, lemon zest muffins, protein-packed snack, mini muffins
