High-Protein Cottage Cheese Pancake Bites for Kid-Friendly Breakfasts and Meal Prep
Cottage cheese pancake bites are an easy way to turn classic pancake batter into soft, bite-sized breakfast treats. The cottage cheese adds a natural protein boost and keeps the centers tender while the tops bake up golden in a mini muffin pan. Everything mixes in one bowl, and the mini size makes them perfect for busy mornings. These mini pancake bites fit right into your list of easy breakfast ideas, work well for quick meal prep, and bring the flavor of cottage cheese pancakes to a simple, baked format that suits busy mornings.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- The mini muffin pan creates perfectly shaped pancake bites that look neat and consistent every single time.
- Cottage cheese blends smoothly into the batter, giving these baked pancake bites a soft, tender center.
- The sturdy shape makes them ideal for breakfast meal prep or packing into kid-friendly lunchboxes.
- The small size makes serving straightforward, especially when you want a warm breakfast that comes together quickly.
Ingredients
See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
Instructions
Step 1: Add cottage cheese, eggs, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, vanilla, melted butter, and milk to a mixing bowl.
Step 2: Whisk until the batter is smooth with a few small curds remaining.
Step 3: Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the tops are golden and the bites feel set.
Step 4: Cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Expert Tips
- Use small-curd cottage cheese for a smoother batter. Large-curd varieties leave more visible pockets and can create uneven texture.
- A cookie scoop gives you clean, consistent portions, so all the mini muffin pan pancakes bake evenly.
- Let the batter rest for 5 minutes before filling the pan. This gives the flour time to hydrate and helps the bites rise more evenly.
- Remove the bites once they turn golden around the edges. Overbaking leads to dry, tough centers.
- If your oven runs hot, bake on the center rack to prevent the tops from over-browning too quickly.
- Store leftover cottage cheese pancake bites in an airtight container and warm them in the oven or air fryer to bring back the soft, golden texture.
Serving Ideas And Variations
- Serve these protein pancake bites warm with maple syrup, fresh berries, or a simple fruit compote for a quick breakfast plate.
- Add small mix-ins like mini chocolate chips, diced strawberries, or blueberries to a portion of the batter for easy flavor variations to these pancake bites.
- For a brunch spread, pair these baked pancake bites with yogurt, granola, and extra fruit to build a simple breakfast board.
- Lightly dust the bites with powdered sugar before serving for a bakery-style finish.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, ricotta works, though the texture will be slightly softer. Make sure to whisk well so the batter stays smooth.
Yes. Once cooled, freeze them in a single layer, then store them in a freezer bag. Warm in the oven or air fryer until soft and heated through.
You can use a regular muffin pan, but the bites will be larger and need a few extra minutes of baking time.
More Breakfast and Brunch Ideas
- This warm and custardy eggnog French toast casserole brings all the cozy holiday flavors together in one easy breakfast bake. Soft brioche, creamy eggnog, and a crisp cinnamon topping make it perfect for slow December mornings or a relaxed holiday brunch. Simple to prep, quick to bake, and festive enough to bring straight to the table.
- Waffle pops turn everyday waffles into fun handheld treats that look straight out of a bakery case. Each golden waffle pop is dipped in chocolate and decorated with a sweet glaze for the ultimate brunch or dessert favorite.
- Carrot cake muffins deliver the cozy spice and sweetness of traditional carrot cake in perfectly portable form. Each muffin bakes up tender, moist, and full of warm cinnamon flavor that feels right for any season.
Tried these cottage cheese pancake bites? Please rate the recipe and leave a comment below to let us know how they turned out. Your feedback helps others find and enjoy it too!
Cottage Cheese Pancake Bites
Equipment
- Mini muffin pan (24-cup)
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375℉ and grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan.
- Add cottage cheese, eggs, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, vanilla, melted butter, and milk to a mixing bowl. Whisk until the batter is smooth with a few small curds remaining.
- Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the tops are lightly golden and the bites feel set.
- Cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm with syrup or fruit.
Notes
- Grease the mini muffin pan well so the bites release easily.
- Use small curd cottage cheese for a smoother texture.
- The bites reheat well in an air fryer for a quick breakfast.
