Thank you for stopping by today, friend! I’m beyond excited to share these Cinnamon Apple Cottage Cheese Pancake Bites with you. They’re soft, fluffy, and bursting with cozy apple-cinnamon flavor, while sneaking in some serious protein thanks to cottage cheese. Whether you bake them in the oven or crisp them up in the air fryer, they’re the kind of breakfast (or snack!) that feels like a hug in bite-sized form.
If you’re always on the go, these little bites are your new best friend. I often make a batch on Sunday, and by midweek, I’m kicking myself for not doubling it! Oh—and if you love recipes like this, don’t forget to subscribe to my email list so new cozy creations land straight in your inbox.
Overview of Recipe Content
- What It Is: Mini bite-sized pancakes baked or air fried with cottage cheese, apples, and cinnamon.
- Perfect For: Quick weekday breakfasts, after-school snacks, or healthy desserts.
- Why You’ll Love It: Fluffy texture, naturally sweet, high-protein, and meal-prep friendly.
- What It Tastes Like: A warm apple-cinnamon pancake meets a protein-packed muffin. Sweet, cozy, and lightly tangy from the cottage cheese.
- Health Benefits: High in protein, balanced with fiber, and naturally sweetened.
Ingredients
- ½ cup (120g) cottage cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 small apple, peeled and finely chopped
- ¼ cup oat flour (or almond flour for low-carb)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey (optional, for sweetness)
- Pinch of salt
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or fork
- Muffin tin or silicone mold (for oven)
- Air fryer-safe silicone cups (if using air fryer)
- Measuring cups & spoons
Substitutions & Additions
- Swap oat flour for almond flour for a low-carb version.
- Use pear instead of apple for a fall twist.
- Add a dash of nutmeg or pumpkin spice for even cozier vibes.
- Stir in walnuts or pecans for crunch.
How to Make Cinnamon Apple Cottage Cheese Pancake Bites
- Prep Your Base: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, egg, maple syrup (if using), and salt until smooth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Stir in oat flour, baking powder, and cinnamon until combined.
- Fold in Apples: Add finely chopped apple pieces for little bursts of juicy sweetness.
- Fill Molds: Divide batter into greased muffin tin wells or silicone cups. Fill about ¾ full.
- Bake or Air Fry:
- Oven: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15–18 minutes, until golden and set.
- Air Fryer: Air fry at 320°F (160°C) for 10–12 minutes.
- Cool & Enjoy: Let them cool slightly before removing. They’ll firm up as they cool!
What to Serve with Cinnamon Apple Cottage Cheese Pancake Bites
- A dollop of Greek yogurt and extra cinnamon.
- Warm maple syrup for dipping.
- Fresh fruit or a berry compote.
- A hot mug of coffee or spiced chai latte.
Tips for Making It Perfect
- Don’t overmix the batter—just fold until combined.
- Chop the apple finely so it distributes evenly.
- Use silicone molds for easy removal.
- If reheating, pop in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes to get that just-baked texture back.
Storage Instructions
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen.
- Reheat: Air fryer (best texture) or microwave (quick fix).
General Information
Did you know cottage cheese pancakes are actually a thing in Scandinavian and Eastern European cooking? They’ve been around forever, but these bite-sized ones feel modern and snackable. Adding apple and cinnamon makes them perfect for fall, though I’ll happily eat them year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make these dairy-free?
Yes! Use a dairy-free cottage cheese alternative or blended silken tofu.
2. Can I make them ahead?
Absolutely—these are meal prep gold. Bake, cool, and store for grab-and-go breakfasts.
3. Can I use applesauce instead of chopped apples?
Yes, replace chopped apple with 2 tablespoons of unsweetened applesauce.
4. Do they taste like cottage cheese?
Nope! The cottage cheese just adds moisture and protein—the flavor disappears into fluffy pancake goodness.
Conclusion
There you have it, my cozy Cinnamon Apple Cottage Cheese Pancake Bites—a recipe that’s as nourishing as it is delicious. Whether you’re making them in the oven or air fryer, they’re the kind of snack that keeps you fueled and happy.
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Until next time, happy cooking!
Interactive Elements
If you try these, please leave a review below ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. I’d also love to see your creations—snap a photo and tag me on Pinterest @poulefrecipe or Instagram!
Nutritional Information (per serving, makes 8 bites)
| Calories | Protein | Carbs | Sugar | Fat | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 4g | 6g | 3g | 2g | 1g |
Cinnamon Apple Cottage Cheese Pancake Bites (Air Fryer or Oven)
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 bites 1x
Description
These Cinnamon Apple Cottage Cheese Pancake Bites are fluffy, high-protein mini snacks made with cottage cheese, apple, and cinnamon. Bake them in the oven or air fryer for a cozy, make-ahead breakfast or snack.
Ingredients
½ cup (120g) cottage cheese
1 egg
1 small apple, peeled and finely chopped
¼ cup oat flour (or almond flour for low-carb)
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey (optional, for sweetness)
Pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Whisk cottage cheese, egg, maple syrup, and salt until smooth.
2. Stir in oat flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.
3. Fold in finely chopped apple.
4. Divide batter into muffin tins or silicone cups.
5. Bake at 350°F for 15–18 minutes or air fry at 320°F for 10–12 minutes.
6. Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Best enjoyed warm with maple syrup or Greek yogurt.
Store in fridge for 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat in air fryer for best texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Oven, Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 55
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
