I first made these Strawberry Vanilla Cottage Cheese Pancake Bites on a quiet morning when I wanted something cozy, sweet, and nourishing without spending forever in my kitchen. As they cooked, my kitchen smelled like warm vanilla and lightly caramelized strawberries, and I remember thinking how much you would love how simple yet satisfying these feel. They’re soft, lightly golden, and honestly comforting in the best way.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup diced strawberries
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
When I make this recipe, I pay special attention to the cottage cheese and oats because they form the base. I’ve tried low-fat and full-fat cottage cheese, and both work, but full-fat gives a slightly creamier bite. If your strawberries aren’t very sweet, don’t be afraid to add a tiny drizzle of extra honey. The cinnamon may seem subtle, but trust me, it ties the vanilla and strawberries together beautifully.
Equipment Needed
- Blender or food processor
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Non-stick skillet or griddle
- Spatula
I usually use my blender because it creates a smoother batter, but a food processor works just as well. A good non-stick skillet is important here; I learned the hard way that these bites can stick if the pan isn’t properly coated. If you don’t have a blender, you can mash and mix by hand, but the texture will be more rustic and slightly chunkier.
Step-by-Step Instructions
I start by blending the cottage cheese, rolled oats, milk, egg, vanilla, honey, baking powder, and cinnamon until the batter looks thick but pourable. The first time I made this, I over-blended and the batter became too thin, so now I stop as soon as everything is combined. You want it smooth, but not watery, because that helps the bites hold their shape in the pan.
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