Recipe for Cottage Cheese Pancake Bites

For breakfast, snack, or dessert, these cottage cheese pancake bites are a nutritious option that the whole family can love. With lean protein and calcium from cottage cheese, and whole grains from oats, they’re easy to make and delicious. 

Choose fruit add-ins to keep them sweet, or add cheese and vegetables like tomatoes or spinach for a savory option. Serve them with fresh fruit or peanut butter for a satisfying breakfast, or take them on their own for a snack on the go.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

• For variety, mix in ½ cup of blueberries, diced strawberries, or any other diced soft fruit like peaches or mango.
• For flavor, add cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, or pumpkin pie spice.
• For a savory version, add ½ cup of chopped spinach and 1-2 ounces of low-fat shredded cheddar cheese. Omit the sugar and vanilla extract. If desired, add dried or chopped fresh herbs.
• For a creamier frozen treat, swap ½ cup of cottage cheese for 1 medium ripe mashed banana. Add 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter, optional, and freeze.
• Stir in lime or lemon zest for a different flavor.
• For a sweet treat, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of mini chocolate chips.

Recipe for Cottage Cheese Bites

Makes 4 servings, about 4-5 bites per serving

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup of low-fat cottage cheese
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup of rolled or instant oats
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease or line a mini muffin tin.
2. In a blender or food processor, puree the cottage cheese, eggs, oats, baking powder, vanilla, salt, and honey or sugar until smooth. Gently fold in any add-ins. 
3.  Distribute the batter evenly in the mini muffin tin to get 16-18 muffins. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the muffins are set and lightly browned. 
4. Cool before removing from the pan. 
5. Serve immediately and refrigerate or freeze the leftovers. 

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Nutrition information per serving: 140 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, 1.5 gram of saturated fat, 100 mg of cholesterol, 600 mg of sodium, 14 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of sugars, 1 gram of fiber, 10 grams of protein

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