Cottage Cheese Protein Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (or gluten-free flour for a gluten-free option)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
• 1 cup cottage cheese (preferably low-fat or fat-free)
• 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or almonds, optional)
• 1/4 cup dried fruit (raisins or cranberries, optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir well.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, honey or maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently fold until just combined.
5. If you’re using chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit, fold them into the batter.
6. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop heaping spoonfuls of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Flatten them slightly.
7. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges.
8. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.