Description
These Blueberry and Lemon Zest Cottage Cheese Bites are a deliciously healthy snack or breakfast option. Packed with protein-rich cottage cheese, wholesome oats, and fresh blueberries, they offer a perfect balance of sweetness and tangy citrus flavor from the lemon zest. Easy to prepare and naturally gluten-free, these mini bites are great for on-the-go nourishment or a light treat.
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
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- Zest of 1 large lemon (about 1 tbsp)
Add-ins
- 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 sticking.
- 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 until the oats are broken down and the mixture is smooth and well-combined.
- Fold in Blueberries: Transfer the batter to a bowl and gently fold in the fresh or frozen blueberries, taking care not to crush them and turn the batter purple.
- Rest Batter: Let the batter rest for 5 minutes. This allows it to thicken slightly as the oats absorb some moisture.
- Fill Muffin Cups: 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 lightly golden on top.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bites to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- You can substitute rolled oats with quick oats for a finer texture, but the bites may be softer.
- Use fresh blueberries for the best texture; if using frozen, do not thaw to prevent batter discoloration.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- These bites freeze well; wrap individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
- For a vegan version, substitute the egg with a flax egg and use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snack, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini bite
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 1.2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3.5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: blueberry bites, cottage cheese snacks, lemon zest muffins, healthy breakfast bites, gluten free snacks, protein bites, mini muffins
