Name: Peanut Butter and Jelly Cottage Cheese Muffins Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese; 2 large eggs; 1/4 cup peanut butter, melted; 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour; 1 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 cup sugar-free or low-sugar jelly or jam

Jump to Recipe· 3.8 from 2 reviews

I absolutely adore these Peanut Butter and Jelly Cottage Cheese Muffins Recipe because they bring together the childhood nostalgia of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a wholesome twist. The addition of cottage cheese gives them such a moist, tender crumb that feels both nourishing and comforting. Whenever I make these muffins, they practically disappear—whether enjoyed fresh from the oven for breakfast or as a satisfying snack any time of day.

Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter and Jelly Cottage Cheese Muffins Recipe

What I love most about this recipe is the perfect balance of flavors and textures it delivers. The creamy peanut butter mingles beautifully with the sweet jelly pocket inside, while the cottage cheese adds a subtle tang and extra moisture that keeps the muffins soft for days. Every bite feels nostalgic but also fresh and wholesome, which makes it stand out from your average muffin.

Besides the taste, the simplicity of this Peanut Butter and Jelly Cottage Cheese Muffins Recipe really makes it a go-to for me. It’s so easy to prepare with straightforward ingredients and steps, making it ideal for busy mornings or last-minute treats. Plus, I find these muffins work great for a variety of occasions—whether you’re packing a lunchbox, hosting a casual brunch, or just want a comforting homemade snack. They always get lots of smiles and compliments wherever I bring them!

Ingredients You’ll Need

A top-down view of six unbaked muffins placed in a silver metal muffin tray. Each muffin sits in white paper liners, showing a rough, slightly lumpy light brown batter. The muffins fill each liner unevenly, with some batter higher in the center. The tray is set on a white marbled surface, and a woman's hand is not visible in the frame. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Each ingredient in this recipe is carefully chosen to contribute to the muffins’ delightful texture and flavor. You don’t need anything fancy, but the combination creates something truly special.

Low-fat cottage cheese: Adds moisture and a slight tang, keeping the muffins tender and flavorful.
Large eggs: Help bind the batter together and provide structure.
Peanut butter (melted): Infuses that classic nutty flavor and richness.
Honey or maple syrup: Provides natural sweetness with a subtle depth.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a warm aroma.
Whole wheat flour: Gives a hearty texture and nutty undertone to the muffins.
Baking powder: Helps the muffins rise, making them light and fluffy.
Baking soda: Assists with leavening and browning.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and boosts flavor complexity.
Sugar-free or low-sugar jelly or jam: Provides that iconic jelly surprise with less added sugar.

Directions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners to make cleanup easy and prevent sticking.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the low-fat cottage cheese, eggs, melted peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 3: In a separate bowl, stir together the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, distributing the leavening agents evenly throughout the dry ingredients.

Step 4: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, gently folding them together with a spatula until just combined—you want to avoid overmixing so the muffins stay tender.

Step 5: Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, filling each about halfway. Then, add a small dollop (around a teaspoon) of your favorite sugar-free or low-sugar jelly or jam in the center of each muffin cup.

Step 6: Cover the jelly with more batter until the muffin cups are filled nearly to the top. This layering traps that delicious jelly surprise inside.

Step 7: Bake the muffins in your preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes. To check doneness, insert a toothpick into the muffin around the side (avoiding the jelly center); it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 8: Once baked, transfer the tin to a wire rack and let the muffins cool completely before serving. This cooling ensures they hold their shape and texture perfectly.

Servings and Timing

This Peanut Butter and Jelly Cottage Cheese Muffins Recipe makes about 12 delicious muffins — perfect for sharing or meal prepping for the week. The prep time is roughly 10–15 minutes since it’s mostly mixing and assembling the layers. Baking takes about 20 to 25 minutes, with an additional 10 to 15 minutes of cooling time before enjoying. Overall, you’re looking at around 45 minutes from start to finish, which is great for a weekend morning or an afternoon baking project.

How to Serve This Peanut Butter and Jelly Cottage Cheese Muffins Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a single muffin with a golden brown top that has a crumbly texture and slightly uneven surface. The muffin sits inside a white paper cup with soft ridges around the edges. The background is a white marbled texture, giving a clean and bright look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

When I serve these muffins, I love keeping it simple so the flavors can shine through. They’re fantastic warm or at room temperature, which makes them super versatile throughout the day. Try pairing them with a fresh cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk for a comforting breakfast or snack.

If you want to get a bit fancy, a light spread of butter or a dollop of Greek yogurt on the side adds a creamy contrast that I find absolutely delightful. For gatherings, arranging them on a pretty platter with fresh fruit like berries or banana slices really elevates the presentation and adds natural sweetness and color.

These muffins also work amazingly well as part of a brunch spread alongside some savory items like scrambled eggs or a green salad. If you’re serving them at a party, I recommend keeping portion sizes to one or two muffins per guest—they’re satisfying but not overly heavy. And for a fun twist at a kid’s lunchbox, I’ll sometimes pack them chilled with a side of fruit leather or veggie sticks for a balanced, tasty snack.

Variations

I love how adaptable this Peanut Butter and Jelly Cottage Cheese Muffins Recipe is! One of my favorite tweaks is swapping the whole wheat flour for gluten-free flour blends, which still give a great texture while making it accessible for gluten-sensitive friends.

If you want to make these muffins vegan, try replacing the eggs with a flax or chia egg and using a plant-based yogurt instead of cottage cheese. The texture changes slightly but the muffins remain moist and delicious. You can also switch out peanut butter for almond or cashew butter for a different nutty flavor that’s equally tasty.

For flavor variations, I sometimes fold fresh or frozen berries into the batter along with the jelly dollop for an extra burst of fruitiness. Alternatively, swapping jelly with a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips adds a chocolate-peanut butter vibe that’s irresistible. If you’re feeling adventurous, baking these in mini muffin tins makes adorable bite-sized treats that are perfect for parties and snacking on the go.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

Once your muffins have cooled completely, I recommend storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, placing the container in the fridge extends their freshness to about 4 or 5 days. I find glass or BPA-free plastic containers with tight-fitting lids work best at preventing them from drying out.

Freezing

These muffins freeze beautifully! I usually wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap or place parchment paper between them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This way, they won’t stick together and you can grab just what you need. They keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, just thaw at room temperature or gently warm them up.

Reheating

To reheat, I like popping a muffin in the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds—just enough to warm through without drying them out. Alternatively, reheating in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 to 7 minutes on a baking sheet wrapped lightly in foil helps maintain that fresh-baked texture. I avoid overheating because it can toughen the muffin or melt the jelly unevenly, which takes away from the delightful experience.

FAQs

Can I use any type of jelly or jam?

Absolutely! You can use any sugar-free or low-sugar jelly or jam you prefer. I’ve tried strawberry, raspberry, and even apricot with great success. Just be sure to use a relatively thick jelly so it stays nicely in the center while baking.

What if I don’t have whole wheat flour? Can I substitute?

You can substitute whole wheat flour with all-purpose flour if you prefer a lighter muffin texture, but the flavor will be less nutty. For a healthier boost, I sometimes blend half whole wheat and half oat flour, which adds a subtle oat flavor and extra fiber.

Is it okay to use regular peanut butter instead of melted?

Melting the peanut butter makes mixing easier and ensures even distribution in the batter, but if your peanut butter is soft, you can mix it in as is. Just make sure to stir well so you don’t end up with clumps.

Can I make these muffins ahead of time?

Definitely! These muffins keep well for several days when stored properly and actually taste great even after a day or two. They’re perfect for weekend meal prep or to have ready for busy mornings.

Are these muffins healthy?

I believe so! They include protein from the cottage cheese and eggs, fiber from whole wheat flour, and natural sweetness from honey or maple syrup. Using low-sugar jelly keeps the sugar content lower than traditional muffins, making them a balanced treat.

Conclusion

Making this Peanut Butter and Jelly Cottage Cheese Muffins Recipe always feels like sharing a bit of comfort and joy, whether I’m enjoying them solo or serving friends and family. Their moist texture, balanced sweetness, and the fun jelly surprise in every bite make them unforgettable. I truly hope you give this recipe a try and discover just how wonderfully simple and satisfying homemade muffins can be!