Blueberry and Lemon Zest Cottage Cheese Bites Recipe
These Blueberry and Lemon Zest Cottage Cheese Bites are a deliciously wholesome snack or breakfast option bursting with fresh flavors. Combining creamy cottage cheese, zesty lemon, and juicy blueberries, these mini muffins are lightly sweetened with honey and have a tender texture thanks to rolled oats and a touch of baking powder. Easy to make and perfect for meal prep or a healthy treat on the go.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini bites
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
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
Fresh Ingredients
- Zest of 1 large lemon (about 1 tbsp)
- 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 ensure the bites don’t stick and come out easily.
- 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 break down and the batter is thoroughly combined but still slightly textured.
- Fold in Blueberries: Transfer the batter to a bowl and gently fold in the fresh or frozen blueberries to distribute them evenly without crushing them.
- Rest Batter: Let the batter rest for 5 minutes. This allows it to thicken slightly and helps the oats absorb some moisture for a better texture.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared mini muffin pan, filling each cup about three-quarters full to allow room for rising during baking.
- Bake: Bake the bites for 18-22 minutes until they are firm to the touch and lightly golden on top, indicating they are cooked through.
- Cool: Allow the bites to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them set properly.
Notes
- Do not thaw frozen blueberries before folding into the batter to prevent the mixture from becoming too watery.
- You can substitute honey with maple syrup to keep the recipe vegan-friendly.
- These bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For a nuttier flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of chopped nuts or seeds.
- Make sure to pulse the oats enough in the blender to avoid large oat chunks but don’t overblend to keep a nice texture.
