Healthy Apple Oats Fritter (Printer-Friendly Version)

A hearty snack featuring oats, applesauce, and a hint of maple syrup for a lightly sweet bite.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 1 1/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
05 - Pinch of sea salt

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
07 - 1/2 cup whole-milk cottage cheese
08 - 1 large egg
09 - 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Cooking

12 - Olive oil cooking spray

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Combine 1 1/4 cups rolled oats in a blender or food processor and grind until a fine flour consistency is achieved.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together applesauce, cottage cheese, egg, maple syrup, olive oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully combined.
03 - Add oat flour, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and sea salt to the wet ingredients. Stir gently to incorporate without over-mixing.
04 - Cover the mixture and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow hydration and flavor melding.
05 - Preheat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and spray lightly with olive oil. Drop heaping tablespoons of batter onto the skillet, gently flattening each. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown and set.
06 - Transfer fritters to a cooling rack or paper towel-lined plate. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally drizzled with maple syrup or sprinkled with cinnamon.

# Additional Tips:

01 - Use a cookie scoop for uniformly sized fritters and ensure the skillet is fully preheated to achieve a crispy crust.
02 - Chilling the batter is essential for binding and prevents fritters from falling apart during cooking.