🥣 Ingredients (makes 12 bites)
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese or ricotta (high protein base)
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup marinara or pizza sauce (low sugar)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
- Salt & pepper to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
- Preheat oven
To 190°C (375°F). Lightly grease a muffin tin. - Prepare zucchini base
Lay zucchini slices in each muffin cup, covering the bottom. - Mix cheese filling
Combine cottage cheese, egg, half the mozzarella, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. - Assemble bites
Spoon a bit of cheese mixture over each zucchini slice.
Add a small spoonful of marinara sauce on top.
Sprinkle remaining mozzarella over the top. - Bake
Bake for 15–20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden. - Garnish and serve
Sprinkle fresh basil or parsley and a little grated Parmesan if you like.
💪 Protein Content
- ~8–12g protein per mini bite (depending on cheese and serving size)
- Add grilled chicken pieces for extra protein boost
🔥 Tips
- Use part-skim cheeses for lower fat but good protein
- Swap zucchini for eggplant or portobello mushroom caps
- Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or side dish