Blueberry and Lemon Zest Cottage Cheese Bites Recipe
Delight in these Blueberry and Lemon Zest Cottage Cheese Bites, a wholesome and flavorful snack or breakfast option. Combining creamy cottage cheese, zesty lemon, and burst of fresh blueberries, these mini bites are naturally sweetened with honey or maple syrup and packed with protein and fiber for a healthy treat.
- Author: Naya
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini bites 1x
- Category: Snack, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
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)
- 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 into a bowl and gently fold in the fresh or frozen blueberries to distribute them evenly without crushing.
- Rest the Batter: Let the batter rest for 5 minutes to allow it to thicken slightly, which helps improve the texture of the bites.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared mini muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full for optimal rise.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 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, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen blueberries without thawing to avoid excess moisture in the batter.
- The bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For a vegan version, substitute the egg with a flax egg and use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Make sure to zest only the yellow part of the lemon to prevent bitterness from the white pith.
- These bites freeze well; thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini bite
- Calories: 55
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 1.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3.5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: blueberry bites, cottage cheese snacks, lemon zest bites, healthy breakfast, protein snack, mini muffins, gluten-free option