When life throws mangos at you, make a Mango Protein Cheesecake Cup for one. It’s no-bake, no stress and ready to impress your taste buds.
This easy, single-serve high protein snack is sweet and tart and creamy, a delicious healthy dessert that is nutritionally on point for breakfast or a post-workout snack! It’s a great source of protein, calcium and fiber (full nutrition in recipe card).
It all starts with one of my favorite ingredients, blended cottage cheese. A cottage cheese cup is such a powerhouse food providing lots of protein and calcium for a relatively low calorie expenditure. Vanilla protein powder pumps up the protein even more – use the variety you like best! In this cheesecake cup, I use Nuzest Clean Lean Protein, a plant-based protein powder that’s easy to digest and has a good texture. (Save 15% with code FITFORK)
If you have fresh mango to add as garnish – GREAT! But, it’s still amazing with just the mango juice!
Juice: You can use straight up mango juice, or a mango juice blend – I prefer to look for juice with no added sugar.
Chia Seeds: these help the juice gel up and add a great jam-like texture – you can use black chia seeds or white chia seeds, your choice!
Cottage Cheese Tip: Because I almost exclusively use BLENDED cottage cheese in my diet (a texture preference), I pre-blend my cottage cheese when I get home from the market and then put it back in the container, ready to go. However, if you are just blending the small ¾ cup called for in this recipe, you’ll want to use a personal sized blender.
Mango Protein Cheesecake Cup for One is a no-bake, easy high protein snack that will be your new tropical-inspired favorite for a healthy dessert, post-workout snack or even an easy breakfast that also boasts lots of calcium and fiber.
Course:
Breakfast, Dessert, Snack, workout
Keyword:
cheesecake, cottage cheese, mango, protein powder
Ingredients
¾cup2% cottage cheeseblended
3tbsp.vanilla protein powder
3oz.mango juice or a no-added sugar mango juice blendI used Naked’s Mighty Mango
1 ½tbsp.chia seedsblack or white
optional garnish Fresh mango, chopped
Instructions
Blend cottage cheese in personal-sized blender, scrape down sides as needed.
Stir in protein powder. Add cottage cheese mixture to 10-12 ounce mug (or bowl)
Add mango juice and chia seeds to small jar and shake. Pour over top, chill for 30 minutes to gel up chia seeds. Add chopped mango, if desired.
You’ll love this guilt-free makeover on a classic dessert favorite – Caramel Protein Tiramisu! By swapping out traditional ingredients for healthier options — like blended cottage cheese for mascarpone cheese and rice cakes for lady fingers – you get a protein dessert that not only satisfies your sweet tooth but also fuels your body with nourishing goodness.
Whether you’re aiming to boost your protein intake (this protein tiramisu has 285 call and 31g protein!) or simply seeking a lighter, sugar-free snack option, this Tiramisu makeover recipe is sure to delight your taste buds without compromising on taste or a sense of treating yourself.
INGREDIENTS & TIPS
Rice cakes: Use your favorite plain rice cakes, salted or unsalted in the mini size. There are flavored rice cakes out there like caramel and chocolate . . . which would work – but would add sugar to the recipe (so I avoided them).
Cottage Cheese & Greek Yogurt: For a lower fat and low-calorie tiramisu that is packed with protein, this recipe relies on 2% cottage cheese blended no fat Greek yogurt to maintain a creamy texture. When whipping your cottage cheese in the blender in preparation for this cottage cheese dessert, do not drain it beforehand. The liquid, watery stuff you see is actually the whey protein – which is important for the nutrition and also to assist in blending!!
Coffee: Rice cakes are soaked in coffee, one by one, before layering into the tiramisu. You have lots of coffee choices and you only need about ¼ cup– regular brewed coffee, instant coffee, espresso (if you like a stronger taste), instant espresso (what I used), and even a canned coffee drink would work.
Protein Powder: Adding just a bit of protein powder (only 2 tbsp) boosts the protein count and helps sweeten without sugar. To make this a caramel tiramisu, I used a plant-based Caramel Protein from Nuzest (save 15% with code: FITFORK). You can also use a coffee or vanilla protein powder and the protein format of your preference – like whey or plant or whatever!
Cocoa powder:Unsweetened cocoa powder is dusted on top with a sifter in that famous old-world style. This little flourish adds deep chocolate notes and will make your cottage cheese dessert taste and look like a tiramisu! Because it was such a small amount of cocoa powder, I used a little mesh tea strainer as my sifter – genius, I thought!
Cup / Bowl Size: Choosing the right cup or bowl is a little tricky if you want a “perfect” presentation and see the layers– the bowl opening at the widest part has to accommodate the width of a rice cake (usually and 3 ¾” to 4”) – if the bottom is a little narrower, that’s fine as the soaked rice cake can be flattened smooth with a spoon. I used a 10-oz glass bowl filled up to the very tippy top (a 10-ounce custard cup or 10-oz ramekin would work great) Most 10-12 oz bowls, mugs or cups will work if you are not particular about perfect layers.
Scaling Up: This is a recipe for one, specifically measured to create one delicious single-serve tiramisu. That being said, it’s an easy recipe to scale up this tiramisu for one – simply multiply the ingredient portions by the number of servings desired to be make. I think it could also be made larger in an 8×8 or 9×13 dish, but I haven’t tried that yet!
If you love Caramel Protein Tiramisu, you’ll also love some of my other protein desserts featuring cottage cheese:
Note: This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission from any sales generated and that helps me offset operating expenses for The Fit Fork. Thank you!
Sounds odd, but holy yum – this healthy dessert, post workout snack (or even breakfast in my book), is delicious. The rice cakes soak up espresso and whipped cottage cheese, Greek yogurt and salted caramel protein powder make a creamy filling. No added sugar, gluten-free.
Course:
Dessert, Snack
Keyword:
cottage cheese, gluten free, high protein, protein powder, rice cake, sugar-free, tiramasu
Servings: 1serving
Calories: 281kcal
Ingredients
¼cupbrewed, instant or canned coffee or espresso
2unsalted or lightly salted rice cakesapprox. 4” diameter size
½cup2% cottage cheeseblended
¼cupfat-free Greek yogurt
2tablespoonsCaramel Protein Powdercoffee or vanilla protein works too
5-10drops liquid stevia or monk fruitif desired
1tspunsweetened cocoa powder
1tspsugar free mini chocolate chips
Instructions
In bowl, place coffee. Add first rice cake into coffee for about 10 seconds, then flip for another 5-10 seconds.
With spatula, gently move to a 10 oz bowl, if needed use spoon to pat down to be an even layer.
In another bowl, stir together whipped (blended) cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, protein powder, and stevia (if desired). Spoon half this mixture over soaked rice cake in bowl
Soak the second rice cake in remaining coffee, flipping, until all absorbed. Place in bowl over creamy later and then top with remaining creamy filling.
Use small sifter to dust on cocoa powder, sprinkle with chocolate chips. Serves 1.
This easy, no-bake dessert delivers pretty-in-pink style and lots of smiles because it’s so delicious – and No-Bake Beet Protein Cheesecakes are still nutritious featuring lots of protein (39g) and the benefits of beetroot powder.
No added sugar in this beet cheesecake recipe and, depending on the type of sugar-free cookies used for the “crust,” it can also be gluten-free.
First, let’s jump into the benefits of beetroot powder. The vibrantly-hued supplement contains micronutrients and phytonutrients that studies show may benefit heart, gut, and brain health. Specific benefits link to beet root power include lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and increased stamina in athletic performance.
Ding, ding, ding – did that athlete part get your attention? I’m always looking for a way to naturally optimize my athletic performance. I learned that upon eating or drinking beets or beetroot powder, your saliva converts the nitric oxide is activated, which relaxes and expands blood vessels. In turn, this increases blood flow and allows more oxygen to be delivered to your muscles to help get the job done – and it could help you perform better for longer. Increased blood flow also helps you recover faster!
Of course, you can get the benefits from fresh beets, too – but that’s not often convenient (or you may not care for the earthy taste). Plenty of pills and tonics available that capitalize on beet benefits, but I personally just prefer to do a scoop of beetroot powder in water, a smoothie or even my oatmeal about an hour or two before I hit the ground running. I use Force Factor’s Total Beets Organic Powder. It provides all the functional superfood benefits of fresh beets, but much more conveniently — and it has a very lightly sweet taste with no added sugar, or anything artificial.
TIPS FOR MAKING NO-BAKE BEET PROTEIN CHEESECAKES
Beetroot Powder: I recommend Force Factor Total Beets Organic Beet Root powder – no added sugar, nothing artificial or yucky, and a good price point. My main suggestion if you are using another powder is just to read the label to avoid added sugar or flavorings. I just love the pink hue, you can get so creative with beetroot powder recipes!
Protein Powder: Use the vanilla protein powder of your choice, that you like and fits your dietary eating patterns. I like the plant-based Clean Lean Protein from Nuzest. Save 15% with code FITFORK.
Cottage Cheese Type & Blending: Using 2% cottage cheese helps keep the fat down a bit. But, if you like a richer taste, this no-bake cheesecake is made very luxurious with full-fat cottage cheese. To get the smooth taste of a cheesecake, the cottage cheese must be blended. For the 1 ¾ cups that this recipe calls for, I use a personal-sized blender. Scoop out the cottage cheese into the blender, including any liquids (eg: the whey) –don’t drain it off, you need that bit of liquid to encourage a smooth consistency. Be patient blending, it will seem very thick and require several iterations of stopping to scrape sides with a spatula.
Containers: I prefer 8-ounce glass canning jars, because the lids make it easy to store for later. However, small bowls will work too, but if the opening is too wide – there may not be enough chocolate topping to cover the area.
Cookie Crust: I use the term “crust” loosely, as cookies are just crumbled and piled in the bottom of the jar. This keeps the recipe no-bake. It’s a simple, no-bake crust but just NOT a crust that will slice up and serve in cheesecake slices without falling apart. Use the cookies of your liking – I used the wafers from sugar-free chocolate sandwich cookies.
This quick and easy dessert offers lots of muscle-making protein and the functional benefits of beets. No added sugar and can be made gluten-free, depending on the type of cookie chosen for the crust. Balanced enough to eat for breakfast or a post-workout snack!
Course:
Dessert, Snack
Keyword:
beet, beet powder, cheesecake, cottage cheese, protein powder
1/3cupvanilla protein powder of choicetype of protein source your choice
2tablespoonsbeetroot powder
2tablespoonssugar-free dark chocolate chips
½teaspooncoconut oil
Instructions
Crush up cookies and divide among the bottom of two 8-oz jars or bowls. Set aside.
Blend cottage cheese until smooth, mix in protein powder and beet root powder.
Divide cheesecake mixture evenly between cookie crust in jars.
In small bowl, melt chocolate chips and coconut oil in microwave for 20-25 seconds. Remove to stir. If not totally melted yet, microwave for 10 more seconds until stirs up glossy and smooth.
Immediately pour chocolate topping over cheesecake mixture, spreading gently around with spoon to cover, if needed.
Set in fridge for 10 minutes for chocolate to set up and become hard.
Sundays are for rest, recharging, and really yummy things. Raspberry Protein Pancakes with Cheesecake Topping makes a tasty breakfast that feels indulgent, but is actually “no worries” at just 243 calories and 19g protein per serving* Lower carb and gluten-free too.
Very simple to make these protein pancakes with raspberries, just mash up the fresh berries into a jam-like consistency and then mix in coconut milk, coconut flour, protein powder* and a pinch of baking soda. Then batter up a non-stick skillet (I used this skillet, it’s inexpensive & effective) and get to flipping and stacking! This protein pancake recipe is ready in a snap – only 4 pancakes to make (two pancakes for each serving, or eat them all for a really big appetite).
Use the protein power variety of your choices, like whey, plant-based or casein, etc. IF the batter starts to seem too thick (which can, based on the powder), then just mix in a splash more of milk. I used Clean Lean Protein from Nuzest in Smooth Vanilla. A cake batter or even chocolate protein powder would be yummy to.
The crown on top of these raspberry pancakes is the Cheesecake Topping – it is simple softened low-fat cream cheese mixed together with a few more raspberries and sugar-free mini chocolate chips. Dollop it on top of your warm pancakes and it will begin to melt – just smear it around for the most delicious pancake topping (no syrup or butter required)!
This raspberry protein pancakes recipes makes two servings – if you don’t polish them all off, keep covered in the fridge for up to 3 days, microwaving for 15-20 seconds to reheat. They can also be frozen (without the topping).
Raspberry Protein Pancakes with Easy Cheesecake Topping
Prep Time
5mins
Cook Time
10mins
Total Time
15mins
Indulge in a healthy, protein-packed stack of berry-studded pancakes featuring a cheesecake like topping to smear around on top, instead of syrup and butter. Only 243 calories per serving, 19g protein — plus lower carb and gluten free.
Course:
Breakfast, brunch
Keyword:
cheesecake, pancakes, protein powder, raspberry
Servings: 2servings
Calories: 243kcal
Ingredients
2/3cupfresh raspberriesdivided
1egg
1/2cupunsweetened coconut milk from cartonsplash more, if batter too thick
1/3cupvanilla protein powderyour choice of variety
3tbspcoconut flour
1/4tspbaking soda
2Tbsplow-fat cream cheesesoftened
2tspsugar free chocolate chips
Instructions
Add ½ cup raspberries into bowl (Reserving remainder for the topping). Use a fork to smash them up into a jam-like consistency.
Stir in egg and coconut milk into raspberries, whisking together with a fork until combined.
Next, mix in coconut flour, protein powder, and baking soda until combined.
Heat non-stick skillet over medium heat.
Pour 1/3 cup batter in center of skillet. Cook for 3 minutes or until mostly set and no longer runny. Slide spatula underneath and flip
Every time I eat a bite of my High Protein Banana Pudding recipe, it’s like a nostalgic trip down memory lane – except with less sugar, less fat, and more protein! That’s very “a-peeling” to my fitness nutrition goals!
Indulge in guilt-free dessert-eating, all while making gains on your daily protein intake. Cottage cheese and protein powder, blended with a banana creates pudding-like mixture that can be layered with banana slices and low-carb vanilla wafers.
Each serving of this cottage cheese banana pudding has 30g protein and 285 calories! A bowl full makes a great workout snack, healthy dessert – or even balanced breakfast (hey, there’s fruit in it!!)
You can use the protein powder of your choice: whey, casein, plant-based, or whatever. You may have to add a splash more milk, depending on what type you use – the way it thickens up varies by product.
I used a plant-based protein powder from Nuzest and my milk suggestion in recipe is based on that. Save 15% on Nuzest with discount code: FITFORK
Whip up this banana cottage cheese recipe quickly – it only takes about 5 minutes, start to finish. No need to let it thicken in the fridge like a boxed pudding mix. It’s best eaten within a few hours after preparation (keep chilled, of course). Any leftovers may be also be kept covered in the fridge for a couple days. However, the banana blended into the cottage cheese and the banana slices may turn slightly light brown. It’s still perfectly fine to eat, the fruit has just come into contact with air and oxidized.
A healthy twist on this classic comfort food allows you to enjoy dessert with no guilt while making gains on your daily protein goals! Only 285 calories per serving, with 30g protein! Lower carb, lower, sugar, gluten-free.
Course:
Dessert, Snack, workout
Cuisine:
American, Southern
Keyword:
banana, cottage cheese, high protein, protein powder
Servings: 2servings
Calories: 285kcal
Ingredients
1cup2% cottage cheese
1 to 2tablespoonsmilkas needed
1large ripe bananadivided
1scoop protein powdervanilla
¼cupsugar-freefat-free non-dairy topping
1ouncelow-carbgluten-free vanilla wafers
Instructions
Add cottage cheese, 1/2 banana, 1 Tbs. of milk, and protein powder to blender and process until smooth, scraping down sides as needed.
If mixture seems too thick (which may happen depending on type of protein powder used), then add in the remaining 1 Tbsp milk. However, it is better to have too thick than too runny, so use extra milk sparingly.
Add to bowl and layer ½ of cookies and ½ of the remaining banana slices. Pour in “pudding” mixture and top with remaining cookies and banana slices. Dollop with non-dairy topping. If desired, sprinkle with cinnamon.
Recipe Notes
Makes 2 servings, each serving: 285 cal, 9g total fat (5g saturated), 29g total carb (7g fiber, 12g sugar), 30g protein
