Introduction
These muffins are a delicious way to pack protein into your morning or snack, using cottage cheese to create a moist, tender texture. The blueberries burst with flavor, and the spelt flour adds a subtle nutty depth. You’ll get a satisfying treat that feels indulgent but is secretly wholesome.
Prep & Cook Time
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 38 minutes
Servings: 12 muffins
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup cottage cheese (I used full fat but I think 2% would also work)
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar (can sub any granulated sugar)
- 1/4 cup olive oil (such as kosterina, use code avocadoskillet for 20% off)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla powder (use half this amount if you prefer less rich vanilla flavor)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- pinch salt
- 1 1/2 cups spelt or all purpose flour
- 1 cup blueberries coated in flour*
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with 12 liners or grease the cups well.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, cottage cheese, coconut sugar, olive oil, milk, vanilla powder (use half this amount if you prefer less rich vanilla flavor), cinnamon, baking soda, and pinch of salt until well combined and relatively smooth.
- Add the spelt or all-purpose flour to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined and no dry streaks remain.
- Fold the flour-coated blueberries into the batter, distributing them evenly.
- Divide the batter evenly among the 12 prepared muffin cups.
- Bake for 28-30 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Variations
- Lemon Zest Twist: Add the zest of one lemon to the wet ingredients for a bright, citrusy flavor that pairs beautifully with blueberries.
- Crunchy Top: Sprinkle a little extra coconut sugar or a mix of cinnamon and sugar on top of each muffin before baking for a crisp, sweet crust.
- Mini Muffins: Use a mini muffin tin and reduce baking time to about 18-20 minutes for a bite-sized version perfect for kids or parties.
- Savory Herb Option: Omit the blueberries, cinnamon, and vanilla, and add a tablespoon of chopped fresh herbs like chives or thyme for a savory protein muffin.
Tips for Success
- Coating the Blueberries: Tossing the blueberries in a little extra flour (not listed in main ingredients) helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the muffins during baking.
- Don’t Overmix: Stir the batter until just combined to ensure tender muffins. Overmixing can lead to a denser texture.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using eggs and milk that are not cold will help the ingredients emulsify better and create a more uniform batter.
- Test for Doneness: The muffins might look set on top before they are fully cooked inside. The toothpick test is the best guarantee.
Storage & Reheating
Store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. To reheat, warm in a microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes to refresh the texture.
FAQ
Can I use frozen blueberries?
Why is there no baking powder?
The baking soda reacts with the acidity in the cottage cheese to provide ample lift, making baking powder unnecessary.
Can I blend the cottage cheese first?
Absolutely. Blending it until smooth before adding to the other wet ingredients will result in a more uniform muffin with no visible curds.
What does spelt flour taste like?
Spelt flour has a slightly sweet, nutty flavor compared to all-purpose flour. It works beautifully here, but all-purpose is a perfect, neutral substitute.
Is the olive oil flavor noticeable?
Using a light, refined olive oil (like the brand mentioned) provides moisture without a strong flavor. A neutral oil like avocado or canola would also work.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
The recipe has not been tested with gluten-free flour blends. Substituting the flour would be an experiment and likely alter the texture.