Description
These Healthy Cinnamon Apple Cottage Cheese Bites are a perfect guilt-free snack combining creamy cottage cheese, rolled oats, and sweet apple flavors with warming cinnamon. Baked in mini muffin form, they offer a soft, moist texture with optional add-ins like nuts and chocolate chips for extra flavor and nutrition. Ideal for a nutritious breakfast or anytime snack, they are easy to make and packed with protein and fiber.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup Cottage Cheese (or substitute with ricotta)
- 1 cup Rolled Oats (or use quick oats for softer texture)
- 1/2 cup Applesauce (or grated apple)
- 1 large Egg (to bind ingredients)
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon (or use nutmeg for extra flavor)
- 2 tablespoons Honey or Maple Syrup (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder (ensure freshness)
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
Optional Add-ins
- 1/4 cup Chopped Nuts (like pecans or walnuts)
- 1/4 cup Mini Chocolate Chips or Raisins (for added sweetness)
- 1/2 cup Pumpkin Puree (optional)
- 2 tablespoons Chia Seeds or Ground Flaxseed (for extra fiber)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a mini muffin pan by either greasing it generously or lining it with paper muffin liners to prevent sticking.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, rolled oats, applesauce or grated apple, egg, cinnamon, honey or maple syrup (if using), baking powder, and salt. Stir everything together until well blended and uniformly mixed.
- Rest the Batter: Allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes. This lets the oats absorb moisture and the baking powder to activate, improving the texture of the bites.
- Fill Muffin Pan: Using a spoon or small scoop, fill each cup of the muffin pan almost to the top with the batter to ensure a nice rise and well-formed bites after baking.
- Bake: Place the muffin pan in the heated oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Bake until the bites are set, springy to the touch, and lightly golden on top.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bites cool in the pan for a few minutes to firm up. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- You can substitute cottage cheese with ricotta for a creamier texture.
- Quick oats yield a softer bite; rolled oats provide more texture.
- Adding nuts or chocolate chips adds crunch or sweetness but can be omitted for a simpler flavor.
- Pumpkin puree and chia seeds add extra moisture and fiber, making the bites even healthier.
- Store leftover bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- These bites can be enjoyed warm or cold and make a great on-the-go snack.
