Description
These Lemon Blueberry Cottage Cheese Protein Bites are a delicious and nutritious snack packed with protein and bursting with fresh lemon and blueberry flavors. They are easy to make, baked to perfection, and ideal for a healthy on-the-go treat or post-workout boost.
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 the Cottage Cheese: Drain the cottage cheese for 10–15 minutes using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, pressing gently to remove any excess liquid to ensure your bites hold together well.
- 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. Stir until the mixture is mostly smooth and well blended.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add almond flour, vanilla protein powder (or oat flour), and cornstarch or arrowroot powder to the wet mixture. Fold the ingredients together until a thick, scoopable dough forms.
- Chill the Mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up the dough, making it easier to handle and shape.
- Incorporate Blueberries: Gently fold in the fresh blueberries, being careful not to crush them so they remain intact inside the bites.
- Shape the Bites: Scoop the dough and roll into tight balls, then place them on a parchment-lined baking tray, spaced evenly to allow for baking.
- Freeze to Set Shape: Freeze the shaped bites for 20 minutes to lock in their shape before baking.
- 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 Before Serving: Let the bites cool on the tray for 10 minutes. They will firm up more as they cool, ensuring the perfect texture for eating.
Notes
- Always use full-fat, well-drained cottage cheese to avoid melting and ensure proper texture.
- Do not skip the chilling and freezing steps; these are essential for the bites to hold their shape well during baking.
- Protein powder can be substituted with oat flour for a dairy-free or lower-protein option.
- Handle blueberries gently to prevent them from bursting inside the dough.
- You can store the bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 100 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
