Description
These Cinnamon Apple Cottage Cheese Bites are a delightful and healthy snack that combines creamy cottage cheese with fresh diced apples, warm cinnamon, and a hint of vanilla. Rolled in shredded coconut and baked or air fried to golden perfection, they offer a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Ideal for a quick breakfast, snack, or light dessert, these bites are easy to make and customizable with your choice of sweetener and flour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 medium apple, diced (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith recommended)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 to 3 tablespoons flour or almond flour
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (optional)
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Prepare the apples and preheat: Dice the apples into small cubes and gently pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Preheat your oven to 375°F or your air fryer to 350°F to ensure even cooking.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, diced apples, cinnamon, vanilla extract, eggs, and optional sweetener (maple syrup or honey). Stir the mixture until it is smooth and well incorporated.
- Adjust consistency: If the mixture feels too wet and difficult to scoop, gradually add flour or almond flour, one tablespoon at a time, stirring well after each addition until the batter thickens enough to hold its shape.
- Form the bites: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, scoop the mixture into small balls of even size, preparing them for coating.
- Coat with coconut: Roll each formed ball in the shredded coconut completely, ensuring they are fully coated for texture and flavor.
- Arrange for cooking: Place the coated bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet if baking, or arrange them in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, leaving space between each bite.
- Cook the bites: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or air fry at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes, until the bites turn golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bites to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm for a cozy treat or chilled for a refreshing snack.
Notes
- Choose firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith to prevent the bites from becoming too mushy.
- Adjust the amount of flour or almond flour based on the moisture content of the cottage cheese and apples to get the right batter consistency.
- The sweetener is optional; omit it if you prefer a less sweet snack or adjust according to taste.
- These bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a gluten-free version, use almond flour or a gluten-free powder instead of regular flour.
- Feel free to experiment with spices like nutmeg or ginger for extra flavor variety.
