Cheesy, spicy, soft and spongy these Cottage Cheese and Jalapeño Rolls are easy to make. They are perfect for eating on their own or using in sandwiches.
It’s rare that I follow a recipe precisely. But it’s also rare that I come up with my own recipe from scratch without using anything as a guide. Well, at least it used to be. Over the past few months I made up a few baking items on my own. Some didn’t work whereas others worked beautifully. Apple Pie Rolls are a perfect example of a perfect recipe that just happened. These Cottage Cheese and Jalapeño Rolls are another example. Actually, it’s the other way around. I made the Cottage Cheese and Jalapeño Rolls for the first time last January and wasn’t sure if the recipe was going to work. I was pleasantly surprised and made them again, this time recording a video. Then life happened: horrible morning sickness, unexpected birth of my daughter, two months stay at NICU – cooking and blogging were not on my mind. Now going through my previous notes, recipes and photos I found this recipe. I watched the video, half-remembering making these rolls, half-marvelling at my manicured hands. Could it actually be that easy? And more importantly, do these Cottage Cheese and Jalapeño Rolls taste good? I couldn’t remember.
Watch the video below of how to make these rolls below
With these Rolls in mind I bought cottage cheese at Costco and decided to bake them last weekend while A. watched baby. Then life happened: Saturday we had in-laws over and I cooked dinner for them, on Sunday baby decided to stop sleeping, baby decided to breastfeed like crazy – baking these rolls just wasn’t in the cards. On Monday miracle happened and baby slept in the morning. I made myself a cup of coffee and started making these rolls. And you know what? They turned out totally delicious – cheesy and spicy and soft and spongy and perfect for a sandwich. Bonus: they were super easy to make. Maybe not as easy as my Quick Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies, but quick enough that I’d definitely consider them to be part of my Mom-Recipe series.
So, what’s the deal with these Rolls? The base is cottage cheese that is processed in a mini food processor until thick and smooth. Then you add an egg, a touch of sugar and pickled jalapeño peppers. Sugar is optional but I love the subtle sweetness in savoury baking. Jalapeño peppers are optional as well and you can make these buns not spicy. Or, alternatively, you could use fresh jalapeño peppers. I just happened to have a Costco-size jar of pickled jalapeños (I am not sure what possessed me to buy them). Once the wet ingredients are mixed, add grated cheese (totally fine to use pre-shredded, it’ll make everything faster, easier and with less cleanup), flour and baking powder. Resulting dough will be sticky. In the video I oil my hands and then form the rolls. Today I used oiled silicone gloves to form the rolls. I don’t use gloves too often, but sometimes the ease of cleanup is really appealing. Also, I knew I’d be touching and feeding baby after and I was scared that my hands would have jalapeños on them even after washing, so gloves really helped.
These Cottage Cheese and Jalapeño Rolls are spongy, spicy, cheese and delicious. They aren’t too unhealthy as there’s no butter or oil in the ingredients. I haven’t tried myself, but perhaps they could even be made with whole wheat flour.
Cottage Cheese and Jalapeño Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1-2 tablespoons pickled jalapeño peppers (diced)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (grated)
- 1 1/4 cup flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- oil for forming the rolls
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- In a food processor pulse the cottage cheese until it's thick and smooth, about 30-45 seconds.
- In a large bowl combine the processed cottage cheese, egg, chopped jalapeño peppers, sugar and mix well until the egg is fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the cheese and mix.
- Add the flour and baking powder and mix until stick dough forms.
- Dip your hands in oil and form 6 rolls.
- Place rolls on a a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and bake for 35 minutes.
Notes
Mention or tag @Imagelicious
Tabitha @ Tabitha Talks Food says
I’ll definitely have to try these. They look delicious!
Julia says
Thank you! They are really good and very easy to make!
Mardi (eat. live. travel. write.) says
These look spectacular Julia! I saw them on your Instastories and hoped to see the recipe here soon. Bookmarked!
Imagelicious says
Thanks Mardi! I have another tub of cottage cheese in the fridge so I think I’ll make these again very soon. They really are delicious and very easy
Sean@Diversivore says
These remind me of a scone that I used to buy FAR too often back in my University days. I’m definitely thinking it might be time for a home-made take! Because seriously, the cheese looks SO darned good in this, and I love jalapeno in baked foods. Yum yum yum.
Imagelicious says
What a great idea to add jalapeños into scones! Thanks Sean!! My husband loves scones so I think I’ll try that flavour combo
Cassie | Crumb Kitchen says
Ooooh boy, I know I commented on these on Facebook but I can’t get enough. I have to make these for Christmas! Also, I feel you on following other recipes as guides. I can see how dinner-only bloggers can make up recipes as cooking is more of an art, but baking is a science and getting the right quantities is so difficult without a guide!
Imagelicious says
Thanks, Cassie! Totally with you on akin and science… and magic! I still find it magical… how, for example, chocolate, eggs and butter transform into cake without flour! Isn’t it magical?
Lillian T says
oh my goodness these photos are mouth watering! I’m not crazy about jalepeno but I might just try this. Will see! 🙂
Imagelicious says
Lillian, just omit jalapeños if you don’t like them. Use some sundries tomatoes instead
Terri says
I love the idea of using cottage cheese as a base – very clever! I am always looking for fast, low-fat ways to eat and feed the family homemade food! And we are crazy about any kind of hot pepper in my house, so we’ll definitely be giving these guys a try!
Imagelicious says
In Russia there are tons of recipes using farmers cheese which is one of the most popular foods there. So I thought that I could use cottage cheese instead
Tara | Deliciously Declassified says
Wow – these rolls look so good! I also love the video – it’s so well done.
Imagelicious says
Thank you so much!! I’m glad you liked he video
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes says
oooo… a spicy cheese roll!?! this is pretty much the most delicious looking thing I’ve seen all day!
Imagelicious says
Thank you so much Sarah! They are great for breakfast
Tina Dawson | Love is in my tummy says
Where has this recipe been all my life! You won’t believe it – but all those ingredients are always stocked in my home (except picked jalapenos – I prefer fresh ones) – the rolls look like golden pillows! Will be trying these out soon! Thanks! <3
Imagelicious says
You can use fresh jalapeño or even no peppers. Add some roasted red peppers or sun dried tomatoes instead!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland.com says
OMG I want one of these right now with my morning coffee ~ great video!
Imagelicious says
Oh, thanks for your kind words about the video!
Sharon says
Yummmm. You cannot go wrong with cheese and jalepenos. These sounds like a perfect new way to serve bread for Thanksgiving!
Imagelicious says
Thank you. They are really good to share!
Kristina @ Love & Zest says
holy yum! I need these in my life. Pinning!
Imagelicious says
Thank you
Taylor Stinson says
Now this is a perfect example of why recipe videos work – these look SO simple and delicious! I seriously didn’t know rolls were that easy to make!
Imagelicious says
Thanks Taylor!! Really appreciate your kind words about the video!