Lemon Blueberry Cottage Cheese Protein Bites Recipe

Introduction

These Lemon Blueberry Cottage Cheese Protein Bites are a delicious and nutritious snack packed with flavor and protein. Perfect for a quick energy boost or a healthy treat, they combine creamy cottage cheese with fresh blueberries and bright lemon zest.

A close-up of a bowl filled with round blueberry cheesecake balls, each about one layer with a creamy white base speckled with whole deep blue and purple blueberries, topped with a golden brown toasted crust sprinkled lightly with crumbs that add a rough texture, the cheesecake balls are piled high in a white bowl, all set against a white marbled texture background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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

  1. Step 1: Drain the cottage cheese for 10–15 minutes using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, pressing gently to remove excess liquid.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, mix the drained cottage cheese, egg white, honey, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and salt until mostly smooth.
  3. Step 3: Add almond flour, protein powder, and cornstarch. Fold until a thick, scoopable dough forms.
  4. Step 4: Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up the mixture.
  5. Step 5: Gently fold in the blueberries. Scoop and roll into tight balls, then place on a parchment-lined tray.
  6. Step 6: Freeze the shaped bites for 20 minutes to lock in their shape.
  7. Step 7: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Bake for 14–16 minutes until set and lightly golden.
  8. Step 8: Cool for 10 minutes before serving. The bites will firm up as they cool.

Tips & Variations

  • Use fresh, firm blueberries to prevent bursting during baking.
  • Substitute almond flour with oat flour or gluten-free flour for a different texture.
  • Add a handful of chopped nuts or seeds for extra crunch.
  • For vegan option, replace egg white with a flax egg and use maple syrup instead of honey.

Storage

Store leftover protein bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 1 month; thaw in the fridge before serving. To reheat, warm briefly in a microwave or enjoy them chilled as a refreshing snack.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a bowl filled with about a dozen round, creamy yellow balls studded with whole dark purple blueberries. Each ball has a textured surface with a caramelized golden-brown crust and small crispy bits, giving them a slightly crunchy look. The balls are piled together forming a small mound inside a white bowl, and the background is a white marbled texture. The lighting highlights the shiny, smooth, and crispy parts of the balls, making them appear freshly cooked and appetizing. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh?

It’s best to use fresh blueberries as frozen ones can release excess moisture, making the dough too wet. If you use frozen, thaw and drain them thoroughly before folding in.

What can I substitute for vanilla protein powder?

You can use oat flour, all-purpose flour, or another protein powder flavor that complements lemon and blueberry. Just keep the same quantity for consistent texture.

Print

Lemon Blueberry Cottage Cheese Protein Bites Recipe

These Lemon Blueberry Cottage Cheese Protein Bites are a delicious and nutritious snack, combining the creaminess of full-fat cottage cheese with fresh blueberries and a zesty lemon flavor. Sweetened naturally with honey or maple syrup and packed with protein powder and almond flour, these bites make a perfect grab-and-go treat for a healthy boost of energy.

  • Author: Dylan
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 16 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 12 protein bites 1x
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Fat

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

  1. Drain Cottage Cheese: Drain the cottage cheese for 10–15 minutes using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, pressing gently to remove excess liquid. This step ensures your dough isn’t too wet.
  2. 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 and well incorporated.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the almond flour, vanilla protein powder (or oat flour), and cornstarch or arrowroot powder. Fold gently until a thick, scoopable dough forms.
  4. Chill the Mixture: Cover the dough and refrigerate it for 30 minutes to firm up, which makes shaping easier.
  5. Fold in Blueberries and Shape: Gently fold the fresh blueberries into the chilled dough. Using your hands or a spoon, scoop and roll the dough into tight bite-sized balls, then place on a parchment-lined baking tray.
  6. Freeze to Set Shape: Freeze the shaped protein bites for 20 minutes to lock in their shape before baking.
  7. Bake: Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Bake the bites for 14–16 minutes until they are set and lightly golden on the bottoms and edges.
  8. Cool Before Serving: Allow the protein bites to cool for 10 minutes; this helps them firm up properly for the perfect bite texture.

Notes

  • Drain the cottage cheese thoroughly to avoid soggy bites.
  • You can substitute protein powder with oat flour to keep it plant-based and more natural.
  • Use fresh, firm blueberries to prevent them from bursting and discoloring the dough.
  • Store leftover bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
  • For a vegan version, try replacing egg white with flax egg, though texture may vary.

Keywords: protein bites, cottage cheese snacks, lemon blueberry bites, healthy snacks, high protein snack, baked protein bites

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