No-Bake Cottage Cheese Brownie Batter Protein Bites Recipe
These No-Bake Cottage Cheese Brownie Batter Protein Bites are a delicious and nutritious snack that combines creamy cottage cheese with rich cocoa powder and optional protein powder for an easy, no-cook treat. Perfect for a quick protein boost, these bites are customizable with your choice of sweeteners and mix-ins, making them a healthy indulgence that’s both satisfying and convenient.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 12 bites (approximately) 1x
- Category: Snack, Protein Bite
- Method: No-Bake, Blending, Stirring, Chilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat or full-fat based on preference)
- 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup, stevia, monk fruit, or dates as alternatives)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Optional Ingredients
- 1 scoop chocolate or vanilla protein powder
- 2 tablespoons chopped nuts (almonds or walnuts)
- 2 tablespoons chia or flax seeds
- Handful of mini chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder (optional, for enhanced chocolate flavor)
Instructions
- Combine the Wet Ingredients: Scoop 1 cup of cottage cheese into a blender. Add 2 tablespoons of honey (or your chosen sweetener) and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Blend until smooth, ensuring there are no lumps of cottage cheese remaining.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Transfer the blended mixture into a bowl. Stir in ½ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder. If using, whisk in 1 scoop of protein powder. Mix thoroughly until the mixture reaches a thick, brownie-batter consistency.
- Incorporate Your Mix-Ins: Fold in 2 tablespoons of chopped nuts or seeds. For extra flair, sprinkle in a handful of mini chocolate chips and, if desired, 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder for a richer flavor.
- Form the Bites: Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, portion out the batter. Roll each portion between your hands into a 1-inch ball. Place the formed bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Chill & Set: Refrigerate the bites for at least 1 hour to set, or alternatively, freeze for 30 minutes. For faster results, freeze the bites for 20 minutes then transfer to the fridge to finish chilling.
- Enjoy & Store: Once set, enjoy your protein bites as a convenient snack. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
- You can adjust the sweetness according to your taste by modifying the amount or type of sweetener.
- Using low-fat cottage cheese reduces calories, but full-fat creates a creamier texture.
- Adding instant espresso powder enhances the chocolate flavor without adding caffeine.
- Protein powder is optional but boosts the protein content significantly.
- Mix-ins like nuts, seeds, and mini chocolate chips add texture and flavor variety.
- Store the bites chilled for best texture, and consume within 5 days for freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite (approx. 25g)
- Calories: 80 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 2.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Keywords: No-bake protein bites, cottage cheese snacks, brownie batter bites, healthy chocolate snack, protein snack, easy no-cook recipe
