Cheesy Cottage Cheese Spinach Bites
These little bites are golden on the outside, soft and cheesy inside, and packed with protein from cottage cheese and eggs. They make an easy breakfast, snack, lunchbox addition, or meal-prep option. Similar spinach-and-cottage-cheese bites are commonly baked in muffin tins for a quick, portable meal.
🛒 Ingredients
Makes about 18–20 bites
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup breadcrumbs or panko
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
👩🍳 Instructions
- Prepare the spinach: If using fresh spinach, chop it finely. If using frozen spinach, thaw completely and squeeze out as much water as possible.
- Combine: Add cottage cheese, spinach, cheddar, Parmesan, eggs, breadcrumbs, garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to a large bowl.
- Mix: Stir until everything is evenly combined. For a smoother texture, pulse the mixture briefly in a food processor rather than completely pureeing it.
- Chill: Refrigerate the mixture for 15–20 minutes. This helps the breadcrumbs absorb excess moisture and makes shaping easier.
- Shape: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Form the mixture into small golf-ball-sized bites and arrange them with space between each one.
- Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes, turning the bites halfway through, until golden brown and firm.
- Cool: Let them rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
🥑 Serving Ideas
Serve warm with Greek yogurt, marinara sauce, or a fresh cucumber salad. They’re also excellent for meal prep and can be refrigerated for several days or frozen for longer storage.
💡 Pro Tips
- Squeeze the spinach extremely well—this is the secret to bites that hold together.
- If your cottage cheese is very watery, drain some of the liquid first.
- Add chopped mushrooms, green onions, feta, or cooked bacon for different flavors.
- For a low-carb version, replace the breadcrumbs with finely ground pork rinds or another suitable low-carb binder.
