Blueberry and Lemon Zest Cottage Cheese Bites Recipe
Delightful Blueberry and Lemon Zest Cottage Cheese Bites, perfect for a healthy snack or breakfast. These mini bites combine creamy cottage cheese, rolled oats, fresh blueberries, and a hint of lemon zest, baked to golden perfection in a convenient mini muffin pan.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini bites 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
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
Flavorings & 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). Grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Blend the batter: In a blender or food processor, combine cottage cheese, rolled oats, egg, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, lemon zest, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Pulse until the oats are broken down and the mixture is uniform and well combined.
- Fold in blueberries: Pour the blended batter into a bowl and gently fold in the fresh or frozen blueberries, being careful not to break them up.
- Rest the batter: Let the batter rest for 5 minutes. This allows it to thicken slightly, ensuring better texture in the final baked bites.
- Fill the muffin pan: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared mini muffin cups, filling each about three-fourths full to allow room for rising during baking.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes until the bites are firm to the touch and lightly golden on top.
- Cool the bites: Allow the bites to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set properly.
Notes
- You can substitute honey with maple syrup for a vegan option.
- Use rolled oats, not instant oats, for best texture.
- Do not thaw frozen blueberries before adding to keep them intact and prevent batter discoloration.
- These bites can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- To reheat, warm in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
Keywords: blueberry bites, cottage cheese snacks, lemon zest mini muffins, healthy breakfast bites, baked oatmeal bites
