Description
These Lemon Blueberry Cottage Cheese Protein Bites are a delicious and nutritious snack, perfect for a quick energy boost or a healthy treat. Made with full-fat cottage cheese, fresh blueberries, and a hint of lemon zest, they combine protein and natural sweetness in a convenient bite-sized form. They are lightly baked to achieve a firm yet tender texture, making them an ideal choice for a wholesome snack or light breakfast.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese, well drained
- ¾ cup fresh, firm blueberries
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- ½ cup almond flour
- ¼ cup vanilla protein powder (or oat flour)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- 1 large egg white
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Drain Cottage Cheese: Drain the full-fat cottage cheese for 10–15 minutes using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, pressing gently to remove the excess liquid and ensure the bites won’t be too wet.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the drained cottage cheese, egg white, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt. Mix until the mixture is mostly smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the almond flour, vanilla protein powder (or oat flour), and cornstarch or arrowroot powder to the wet ingredients. Fold gently until a thick, scoopable dough forms.
- Chill Dough: Cover the mixture and refrigerate for 30 minutes to help firm up the dough for easier handling.
- Fold in Blueberries: After chilling, gently fold in the fresh blueberries, taking care not to crush them.
- Form Bites: Scoop the dough and roll into tight balls, about the size of a tablespoon, then place them on a parchment-lined baking tray.
- Freeze to Set Shape: Freeze the shaped bites for 20 minutes to lock in their shape before baking.
- Preheat Oven and Bake: Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Bake the bites for 16 minutes until they are set and lightly golden on the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Let the protein bites cool for 10 minutes before serving. They will firm up as they rest and are ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Always use full-fat, well-drained cottage cheese to prevent the bites from melting during baking.
- Do not skip the chilling and freezing steps to ensure the bites keep their shape and don’t spread.
- Protein powder can be substituted with oat flour if preferred or to keep it gluten-free.
- Use fresh, firm blueberries for the best texture and flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 90 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
