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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Chill the Mixture: Cover the dough and refrigerate it for 30 minutes to firm up, which makes shaping easier.
- 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.
- Freeze to Set Shape: Freeze the shaped protein bites for 20 minutes to lock in their shape before baking.
- 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.
- 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
