High-Protein, Cottage Cheese Pumpkin Muffins Recipe
These High-Protein Cottage Cheese Pumpkin Muffins are a nutritious and delicious treat, combining the natural sweetness of pumpkin and maple syrup with the creamy texture of low-fat cottage cheese. Perfect for breakfast or a healthy snack, these muffins are packed with protein and warming autumn spices, making them both satisfying and flavorful.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese, drained
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Dry Ingredients
- 3/4 cup oat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- Pinch of salt
Add-ins and Toppings
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (plus extra for topping)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a muffin tin by lining it with paper liners to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Briefly drain the cottage cheese to remove excess moisture. In a mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, eggs, cottage cheese, and maple syrup. Blend these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the oat flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a pinch of salt to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agent.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients to avoid overmixing, which could make the muffins tough. Stir in the 1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds to add texture and crunch.
- Fill Muffin Tin: Evenly distribute the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about three-quarters full. Sprinkle extra pumpkin seeds on top of each muffin for garnish and added crunch.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. To check doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin; it should come out clean when the muffins are fully baked.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool on a rack. This helps them set properly and enhances their texture before enjoying.
Notes
- Ensure to drain the cottage cheese well to avoid excess moisture in the batter.
- Oat flour can be substituted with gluten-free oat flour to maintain a gluten-free version.
- The muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- For added sweetness, drizzle a little more maple syrup on top before serving if desired.
- These muffins freeze well; store in a freezer bag and reheat in the microwave when needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: high protein muffins, cottage cheese muffins, pumpkin muffins, healthy pumpkin recipes, protein breakfast, autumn baking