Tag Archives: cottage cheese

3-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust (Low Carb, Gluten Free, Protein)

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Treat yourself to pizza night done right with 3-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust, a gluten-free, low-carb and protein-packed alternative to traditional crusts.

I’ve been baking and cooking with cottage cheese for YEARS, so it’s funny to see all these viral cottage cheese recipes on TikTok, Instagram and such as if it’s something new! Using cottage cheese is a smart way to bump up protein, lower fat, and minimize carbohydrates in many recipes – pizza crusts included!

The macros on this pizza crust are impressively good. The recipe makes two personal sized crusts (about 6” diameter each) with a single crust (before toppings of your choice) coming in at 163 cal, 4g net carb, 10g dietary fiber, 5g fat and 18g protein.

The only ingredients used in this low carb pizza crust are cottage cheese, coconut flour and ground flax seed meal.

TIPS FOR MAKING COTTAGE CHEESE PIZZA CRUST:

COTTAGE CHEESE: When it comes to selecting cottage cheese for his keto pizza crust recipes, pick a small curd cottage cheese with 2% or 4% milk fat. Stay away from the Fat-free cottage cheese, it does not perform as well. Also, if you use small-curb cottage cheese, there is no need to blend the cottage cheese smooth (as some similar recipes call for). For reference, I used Good Culture 2% Classic Low-Fat Cottage Cheese. They also make a lactose-free cottage cheese, if that is needed.

COCONUT FLOUR: This recipe only calls for ¼ cup of coconut flour, but it is a very “thirsty” flour and much less is required than other types of flour. For this reason, please to not make flour substitutes.

GROUND FLAXSEED MEAL: I added ground flax seed to add more fiber to the recipes, along with omega fatty acids. If you can not source this, you can *likely* just substitute with 1 tablespoon more of coconut flour – but I have not tried this yet, so let me know if you do.

OPTIONAL SEASONINGS: You won’t need salt because cottage cheese has enough sodium. But you might like to add garlic powder, everything bagel seasoning, fresh chopped herbs, or whatever else you would prefer.

BAKING: You will need parchment paper or a silicon baking sheet to cover your baking pan and prevent sticking.

COOLING & STORING: After removing the crust from the initial baking, you will want to let it cool almost completely. Otherwise, it will be too fragile to handle. This recipe makes two homemade personal-sized pizza crusts. If you are not using both, cover the leftover one and keep in the fridge to use later for up to 5 days.

TOPPINGS: After your crust has mostly cooled, feel free to handle it to add sauce, more cheese, veggies, meats or whatever toppings you love. Pop back in the oven for about 10 minutes or until cooked to your preference.

Put your trust in this crust for pizza night! A low-carb, high-protein, gluten-free pizza crust that tastes amazing and holds up to the toppings of your choice. Recipe makes two personal-sized crusts, each with 163 cal, 14g carb (4 net carb), 5g fat and 18g protein.

I also have a 2-Ingredient, 2-Minut Pizza Crust recipe that the family loves too – it uses Greek Yogurt and self-rising flour (or an all-purpose gluten-free baking blend with a bit of baking soda).

2 Ingredient 2 Minute Pizza Dough
5 from 6 votes
Put your trust in this crust for pizza night! A low-carb, high-protein, gluten-free pizza crust that tastes amazing and holds up to the toppings of your choice. Recipe makes two personal-sized crusts, each with 163 cal, 14g carb (4 net carb), 5g fat and 18g protein.
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3-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 
Simple, scrumptious and a crust you will crave for pizza night!! Add the toppings you enjoy. Makes two personal-sized crusts, each with 163 cal, 14g carb (4 net carb), 5g fat and 18g protein.
Course: Appetizer, dinner, lunch
Keyword: cottage cheese, gluten free, high protein, low carb, pizza
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 163 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1 cup 2% or 4% cottage cheese Not zero-fat
  • ¼ cup coconut flour
  • 1 tbsp ground flax seed*
  • Optional: ½ tsp garlic salt or other seasoning of your choice However, don't add seasonings with a lot of salt added. Cottage cheese already has enough sodium.
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400F.

  2. Add ingredients to bowl, mix until combined. Form into two balls.

  3. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet. Use hands to smoosh down and form into two thin discs, approx. 6” diameter.

  4. Bake for approx. 20 minutes, or until turned golden brown and edges just about to get too brown. Remove from oven and let cool on pan about 5-10 minutes.

  5. Top with ingredients of choice and return to oven to bake for 10 more minutes, or until toppings done to your liking.

  6. If you don’t use the 2nd crust, wrap up and store in fridge for use later, up to 5 days.

  7. *If you can’t find this flax meal, try subbing in with 1 tbsp. more coconut flour. I can’t 100% vouch for outcome, but it should work. The flax is just a nice variety, offers fiber and omega fatty acids.

Recipe Notes

Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust nutrition

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Matcha Protein Waffles Made With Cottage Cheese

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Matcha Cottage Cheese Protein Waffles area matcha match-up made in heaven. Enjoy the benefits of matcha green tea in a filling breakfast that will fuel your morning. With 251 calories and 25g protein for a generous three-waffle stack, this is a protein breakfast idea you’ll want to put on repeat.

I upgraded my already amazing cottage cheese waffles, I make on repeat by adding a few teaspoons of matcha green tea powder to the batter.  Love the vibrant color of matcha green tea powder, and also the benefits which include non-jittery energy, anti-oxidants, metabolism support and more.

Another thing I love about these matcha waffles are that they are lightly sweet and don’t need any syrup. Of course, you can drizzle with syrup . . . but without syrup, they are perfect for taking on the go!

You are now hungry for matcha waffles!

INGREDIENT TIPS FOR PROTEIN MATCHA WAFFLES

Flour: You can make with a traditional all-purpose flour, or a gluten-free baking blend (I use Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour with great results. This recipe is not really meant for heavier alternative flours like almond flour, green banana flour, coconut flour, etc. – and thusly, those are not recommended.

Cottage Cheese: Even if you think you aren’t a cottage cheese fan, you are going to love these delicious protein waffles. The cottage cheese is blended smooth into the batter and you won’t even know it’s there – except you get a huge protein boost. I would recommend using 2% cottage cheese (or even 4%) over no-fat cottage cheese.

Protein Powder: Use the type and brand that you like – I’ve made batches with plant-based (Nuzest) and also whey protein. Both are great. Depending on the powder you “may” need to add a skosh more milk when blending the batter – it should be thicker than runnier though, so don’t over do.

Matcha: I’m a fan of Jade Leaf Matcha, it’s the #1 selling farm-direct organic Japanese matcha green tea powder in the U.S. For this recipe, I’m using the pure culinary matcha, not one of their amazing matcha latte mixes (which I do recommend for your waffle-accompanying beverage experience). Through May 10, 2024 use code NMDVIP20 to save 20% at JadeLeafMatcha.com.

Note: Post contains affiliate links. I earn a commission based on sales. Thanks for supporting The Fit Fork.

Matcha Green Tea Waffles are made with protein powder and blended cottage cheese for a protein-packed, low-cal breakfast that will satisfy you all morning. Lightly sweet with no added sugar, so no syrup needed – take on the go! Gluten-free option.
5 from 5 votes
Matcha Green Tea Waffles are made with protein powder and blended cottage cheese for a protein-packed, low-cal breakfast that will satisfy you all morning. Lightly sweet with no added sugar, so no syrup needed – take on the go! Gluten-free option.
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Matcha Protein Waffles
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 

Matcha Green Tea Waffles are made with protein powder and blended cottage cheese for a protein-packed, low-cal breakfast that will satisfy you all morning. Lightly sweet with no added sugar, so no syrup needed – take on the go! Gluten-free option.

Course: Breakfast
Keyword: cottage cheese, matcha, waffles
Servings: 3 (about 3 waffles)
Calories: 251 kcal
Ingredients
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup milk of choice
  • ½ cup 2% cottage cheese
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/3 tsp baking powder
  • ½ cup vanilla protein powder or unflavored collagen powder with a few drops of liquid stevia or monkfruit
  • ½ cup flour blend like bob’s red mill gluten blend or a traditional all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp matcha powder
Instructions
  1. Add eggs, milk, cottage cheese and vanilla to blender; blend until smooth.
  2. Add baking powder and protein powder, and matcha powder and blend until smooth.
  3. Add flour half at a time, blending and scraping down sides between.
  4. Cooking in hot waffle iron according to manufacturer’s instructions. I used a Dash mini waffle iron to make 9 waffles. A traditional 4-square iron will make about 2 big waffles (eg: 8 squares).
Recipe Notes

Mango Protein Cheesecake Cup for One

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5

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.

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.

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)

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.
If you have fresh mango to add as garnish – GREAT! But, it’s still amazing with just the mango juice!

TIPS FOR MAKING MANGO PROTEIN CHEESECAKE CUP

Container: You’ll need a 10 to 12-oz bowl, mug or jar for this mango protein cheesecake!

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.

Note; This post contains affiliate links.

5 from 3 votes
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.
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Mango Protein Cheesecake Cup for one
Prep Time
10 mins
chill
30 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 
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
  • ¾ cup 2% cottage cheese blended
  • 3 tbsp. vanilla protein powder
  • 3 oz. mango juice or a no-added sugar mango juice blend I used Naked’s Mighty Mango
  • 1 ½ tbsp. chia seeds black or white
  • optional garnish Fresh mango, chopped
Instructions

  1. Blend cottage cheese in personal-sized blender, scrape down sides as needed.

  2. Stir in protein powder. Add cottage cheese mixture to 10-12 ounce mug (or bowl)

  3. 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.

Recipe Notes

Caramel Protein Tiramisu with Rice Cake Layers

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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:

High Protein Banana Pudding with Cottage Cheese

No-Bake Beet Protein Cheesecakes with Sugar-Free Hard Chocolate Topping

Boston Cream “Pie” Cup

No-Bake Maple Pecan Chia Cheesecakes

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!

5 from 4 votes
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Caramel Protein Tiramisu (with Rice Cakes)
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
 
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: 1 serving
Calories: 281 kcal
Ingredients
  • ¼ cup brewed, instant or canned coffee or espresso
  • 2 unsalted or lightly salted rice cakes approx. 4” diameter size
  • ½ cup 2% cottage cheese blended
  • ¼ cup fat-free Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons Caramel Protein Powder coffee or vanilla protein works too
  • 5-10 drops liquid stevia or monk fruit if desired
  • 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp sugar free mini chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. In bowl, place coffee. Add first rice cake into coffee for about 10 seconds, then flip for another 5-10 seconds.
  2. With spatula, gently move to a 10 oz bowl, if needed use spoon to pat down to be an even layer.
  3. 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
  4. 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.
  5. Use small sifter to dust on cocoa powder, sprinkle with chocolate chips. Serves 1.
Recipe Notes

281 call, 31g protein per serving.

Green Chile Cottage Cheese Queso – High Protein

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5

Good news for cheese lovers! You can have your queso and eat it too! High Protein Green Chile Queso is easy, delicious AND nutritious and will become your new favorite not dip for snacking and meals. Heck, you’ll want to pour it on everything!

Most queso (as we know it in the Southern US) is based on processed American cheese, ewwww – kinda a mystery substance. But my recipe high protein queso shared below features cottage cheese as the hero ingredient.

Cottage cheese in queso might sound strange – but it is cheese, right?! It’s blended smooth for a creamy texture and is incorporated with a bit of grated Pepper Jack for a slightly spicy and richer cheese vibe. You stay away artificial ingredients, preservatives and who knows what – plus, there’s lots of protein and not much fat.

Shredded Pepper Jack melts into blended cottage cheese for the perfect medley! Or, try white cheddar!

And, cottage cheese queso is easy to make, with just four ingredients, an approximate 24-oz microwave-safe dish (or a little larger), and a microwave. So, 1) tastes great, 2) lots of protein, 3) less fat and no fake stuff – WIN-WIN-WIN!

Roast and chop your own green chile peppers, or for convenience, use pre-prepped like frozen, jar or canned.

This would be a great appetizer or snack for football game season – bowl games are coming up! Make it at score big compliments!

Lower in fat, but still ooey-gooey, this high protein green chili queso features blended cottage cheese as the hero. Simple to make in the microwave, only 4 ingredients – delicious and nutritious! 100 calories per serving with 11g protein. A healthy appetizer or topping for your Mexican-inspired meal.

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5 from 5 votes
Lower in fat, but still ooey-gooey, this high protein green chili queso features blended cottage cheese as the hero. Simple to make in the microwave, only 4 ingredients – delicious and nutritious! 100 calories per serving with 11g protein. A healthy appetizer or topping for your Mexican-inspired meal.
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Cottage Cheese Queso with Green Chiles

Lower in fat, but stillooey-gooey, this high protein green chili queso features blended cottage cheeseas the hero. Simple to make in the microwave, only 4 ingredients – delicious andnutritious! 100 calories per serving with 11g protein.  A healthy appetizer or topping for your Mexican-inspiredmeal.

Ingredients
  • 2 cups 2% milkfat cottage cheese not drained
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 4 oz chopped green chiles from can or fresh roasted
  • 4 oz fresh grated Pepper Jack cheese
  • Optional: Pico de Gallo for garnish
Instructions
  1. Add cottage cheese to blender and process until smooth, a minute or so.
  2. By hand, stir in the garlic powder and chopped green chilies. If using chiles from a can, pour off and discard and ½ the juices so dip doesn’t become too watery.
  3. Add mixture to a microwave-bowl.
  4. Heat in microwave for about 2 minutes. Remove and stir in the pepper jack cheese, ½ at a time.
  5. Return to microwave and heat an additional 1-2 minutes until heated through and bubbling. Stir again to make sure the pepper jack cheese is incorporated.
  6. If desired, garnish with Pico de Gallo.
  7. Serve warm with chips or baguette slices to dip in. Or, use a drizzle on fajitas, burrito bowls, nachos, etch.
  8. Store leftovers, covered, in fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, microwave on half-power for 2-3 minutes until able to stir it up. Then, heat again on high for 1-2 minutes until hot and bubbling.
Recipe Notes