Crispy, Cheesy & Perfect for Dipping Recipe
A nutritious and delicious Apple Cinnamon Cottage Cheese Bake that combines creamy cottage cheese, fresh apples, and warm cinnamon for a protein-packed breakfast. This bake is easy to prepare, customizable for various dietary needs, and perfect for make-ahead meals or family brunches.
- Author: Kai
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 slices 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups full-fat or 2% small curd cottage cheese
- 3 large eggs
- 1 large apple, peeled and finely diced (preferably Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala)
- 1/2 cup rolled oats or almond flour (certified gluten-free if needed)
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish with coconut oil or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, eggs, maple syrup (or honey), and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the rolled oats or almond flour, ground cinnamon, and baking powder. Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes to let oats absorb moisture if using oats.
- Fold in Apples: Gently fold in the finely diced apples to evenly distribute them throughout the batter.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly for uniform baking.
- Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bake cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm with optional toppings like Greek yogurt, almond butter, or chopped nuts.
Notes
- Use full-fat or 2% small curd cottage cheese for best texture and flavor.
- Drain cottage cheese for 10-15 minutes if very watery to prevent sogginess.
- Choose crisp, lower-moisture apples such as Honeycrisp or Gala.
- Oats need a few minutes to soak in batter; for gluten-free, use almond flour or certified gluten-free oats.
- Store baked slices in an airtight container in the fridge up to 5 days or freeze individually for up to 2 months.
- Reheat slices in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or toaster oven at 300°F for 8-10 minutes.
- Try optional toppings like Greek yogurt, almond butter, or chopped nuts for added nutrition.
- For dairy-free, use plant-based cottage cheese alternatives and for egg-free, substitute with flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 2.5 tbsp water per egg).
- Reduce or omit maple syrup for a lower sugar option; apples provide natural sweetness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: apple cinnamon bake, cottage cheese breakfast, healthy breakfast bake, high protein breakfast, gluten-free breakfast option, low sugar breakfast, vegetarian breakfast