Description

Cinnamon Apple Cottage Cheese Bites are a nutritious and delicious snack combining creamy cottage cheese, wholesome oats, and the natural sweetness of apples and cinnamon. Perfect for a quick breakfast or healthy snack, these mini bites offer a balance of protein, fiber, and natural sugars with a soft, moist texture and a warm, cozy flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

1 cup (240g) cottage cheese, preferably small curds and whole milk for best flavor
1/2 cup (120ml) applesauce or small grated apple (use sweet, firm varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji)
1 large egg
1 tbsp (21g) honey or maple syrup (optional)

Dry Ingredients

1 cup (90g) rolled oats
1/2 tsp (1.5g) ground cinnamon, good quality
1/2 tsp (2g) baking powder
Pinch of salt

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to warm fully. Grease the mini muffin pan with non-stick spray or oil, or line it with mini muffin liners to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
Mix Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, rolled oats, applesauce or grated apple, egg, cinnamon, honey or maple syrup if using, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended. This ensures the flavors meld evenly and the texture is uniform.
Rest Batter: Allow the batter to sit for 5 minutes at room temperature. This resting period lets the oats absorb some moisture, resulting in fluffier bites after baking.
Fill Muffin Pan: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared mini muffin pan, filling each cup nearly to the top. Avoid overcrowding the cups to help the bites bake evenly without sticking together.
Bake: Place the muffin pan into the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes. The bites are done when the tops appear lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Ovens vary, so monitor closely towards the end of baking and add 2-3 more minutes if necessary for golden tops.
Cool: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bites cool in the pan for a few minutes. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling allows the bites to firm up and develop a better texture for handling and eating.

Notes

You can substitute applesauce with grated fresh apple for texture variation.
Use sweet, firm apple varieties such as Honeycrisp or Fuji for the best flavor.
Honey or maple syrup is optional depending on your preferred sweetness level.
These bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For a vegan version, replace the egg with a flax egg and use a plant-based cottage cheese alternative.
If you prefer gluten-free, ensure you use certified gluten-free rolled oats.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 mini bite
Calories: 60
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 70mg
Fat: 2g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 7g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: cinnamon apple bites, cottage cheese snack, healthy snack, baked bites, protein snack, easy breakfast, mini muffins