Crunchy on the outside, creamy and warm on the inside. Just trust me on this one.
You know when you want a churro, but don’t want to deep fry or go to the fair? That’s where these Cottage Cheese Churro Bites come in.
They’re baked, quick, and packed with creamy goodness inside from the cottage cheese. You mix, scoop, bake, toss in cinnamon sugar—done.
I’ve made these when I wanted a fast dessert but also something a little different and not overly sweet. And everyone always asks, what’s in these?!
🍴 Makes: 20 bites
⏱ Total Time: 30 minutes
❤️ Why I Love This Recipe
I honestly didn’t expect these to be this good the first time I made them. But the texture combo? Magic. Here’s why I keep coming back to them:
- The outside gets golden and crunchy.
- Inside is soft, warm, and just the right amount of creamy.
- It uses simple pantry ingredients—plus cottage cheese.
- No frying!
- You can prep and bake in under 30 minutes.
🧠 Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)
- Cottage cheese brings moisture and mild tang, kind of like ricotta, but with more protein.
- Baking powder gives these a light lift so they stay fluffy, not dense.
- Flour and egg give the structure, while cinnamon sugar clings perfectly to the warm bites for that churro finish.
❌ Common Mistakes
- Not draining the cottage cheese: Too much moisture makes the dough sticky and hard to scoop.
- Overbaking: They can dry out fast. Stick to 12–14 minutes.
- Tossing in sugar too early: Let them cool for 2 minutes first, or the sugar will melt instead of coat.
🍽 What You’ll Need
- 1 cup cottage cheese (small curd)
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (plus more for brushing)
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the topping:
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing)
👩🍳 Pro Tips
- Drain your cottage cheese slightly if it looks watery—just scoop with a spoon and avoid the liquid.
- Use a cookie scoop or spoon dipped in water for easy portioning.
- Don’t skip brushing with butter before adding cinnamon sugar—it helps it stick!
- These are best warm, but if you reheat, a quick toast in the oven works wonders.
- You can freeze the unbaked dough balls and bake them later!
🛠 Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop or spoon
- Pastry brush
🔁 Substitutions and Variations
- Swap cottage cheese with ricotta if needed (drain well).
- Use coconut sugar instead of regular sugar.
- Add a little nutmeg or cardamom to the dough for a twist.
- Make them gluten-free with a 1:1 GF flour blend.
⏳ Make Ahead Tips
- Mix the dough and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance.
- You can freeze dough scoops and bake straight from frozen—just add 2–3 minutes to baking time.
🔪 How to Make Cottage Cheese Churro Bites
Step 1: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup cottage cheese, 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons melted butter, 1/3 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth.
Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients
Add 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir until a sticky dough forms.
Step 3: Scoop Onto Baking Sheet
Line a baking sheet with parchment. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough spaced 1 inch apart.
Step 4: Bake
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12–14 minutes until lightly golden and puffed.
Step 5: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
Let bites cool for 2 minutes. Brush with melted butter and toss in a bowl with 1/4 cup sugar + 1 teaspoon cinnamon until fully coated.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Plate them up and enjoy warm, gooey, cinnamon-coated bites.
🧊 Leftovers + Storage
- Store in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days or in the fridge up to 5 days.
- Reheat in a toaster oven or 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes.
- Don’t microwave—they get soggy.
🧾 Macros (Per 1 bite – makes 20)
- Calories: 68
- Protein: 2.8g
- Carbs: 7.5g
- Fat: 3.2g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Sugar: 3.1g
❓ FAQ
Can I use whipped cottage cheese?
Yes, but it makes the texture smoother and less chunky.
Can I make these in an air fryer?
Yep! Air fry at 350°F for 8–10 minutes until golden.
Are these sweet or savory?
Sweet with a creamy inside—not overly sugary.
Do they taste like cottage cheese?
Not really! The cinnamon sugar overpowers any tang.
🥄 What to Serve With
- Dipping sauce: warm chocolate ganache or caramel
- A hot coffee or chai latte
- Fresh berries or a fruit compote on the side
🧁 Wrap-Up
These Cottage Cheese Churro Bites are the cozy, sweet snack you didn’t know you needed. Soft inside, crispy edges, and that cinnamon sugar hit—it’s like a churro met a donut hole and had a protein-packed baby. Give them a try, and let me know how yours turned out! Have questions? Drop them in the comments—I’m here for it.
