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This cottage cheese ice cream recipe comes together in minutes and needs just two ingredients to make. It’s smooth, creamy, and packs in over 50 grams of protein.
You may have seen it already on TikTok and social media, but cottage cheese ice cream is taking the internet by storm! This viral recipe uses cottage cheese blended with other ingredients to create a creamy frozen dessert. It’s ridiculously easy to make and customize.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- It’s healthy. Cottage cheese is high in protein and low in calories, and this dessert is naturally sweetened. I’ve been known to polish off the entire batch in one sitting.
- No ice cream maker. All you do is blend everything up and freeze it- that is it!
- Just two ingredients. Maple syrup (or a liquid sweetener) and cottage cheese make up the base.
- Easy to customize. Like cottage cheese pudding, you can add crushed-up cookies, frozen fruit, or any mix-in of choice!
If you love desserts with cottage cheese, try my cottage cheese cookies, cottage cheese muffins, cottage cheese brownies, and cottage cheese cheesecake next.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“Super easy and you would never know there is cottage cheese in it. Added chunks of natural peanut butter to some and crunched up cookies in some.” – Anne Marie
Ingredients needed
- Cottage cheese. I prefer using whole milk cottage cheese (full-fat cottage cheese) as it yields a smoother and creamier texture, but low-fat varieties will also work. If you are lactose intolerant, you can use lactose-free cottage cheese or make my dairy-free cottage cheese.
- Maple syrup. Adds sweetness. You can substitute this for honey or agave nectar.
- Banana OR cashews. It is optional, but it helps keep the mixture extra rich and creamy and easier to scoop.
How to make cottage cheese ice cream
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1- Blend. Add cottage cheese and syrup to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. If using bananas or cashews, add them in and blend them together. Fold through any mix-ins of choice.
Step 2- Freeze. Transfer the ice cream mixture into a loaf pan or ice cream pan and cover completely. Freeze for an hour before scooping and serving.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Stir regularly. If you don’t add the banana or cashews, be sure to stir the mixture every 30 minutes for the first hour, to prevent it from icing up.
- Choose good-quality cottage cheese. Not all cottage cheese is created equal! I like Daisy’s cottage cheese or Good Culture cottage cheese, as neither of these is too salty and blends seamlessly.
- Blend very well. Blend the cottage cheese in a food processor or blender until it’s completely smooth to get a smooth consistency. We don’t want any clumps!
- Use an ice cream maker. If you own an ice cream maker, you can churn the mixture into a deliciously creamy dessert. I’ve also made it in my Ninja Creami too.
Storage instructions
To freeze: Leftovers should always be kept in the freezer in a freezer-safe container. Do not freeze for more than a week.
To thaw: Let the ice cream thaw for 5-10 minutes before scooping.
Frequently asked questions
While the cashews and the banana are optional, I find adding them both makes the ice cream creamy every time, versus potentially icy.
More healthy frozen desserts
If you tried this Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please rate the recipe and let me know how it went in the comments below. It really helps others thinking of making the recipe.
Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1 cup frozen banana optional * See notes
Instructions
- In a high speed blender or food processor, combine the cottage cheese and maple syrup and blend until smooth. Add one cup of frozen banana or cashews for extra creaminess.
- Transfer the cottage cheese ice cream mixture into a lined pan and freeze for an hour or until frozen.
- Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before scooping and serving.
Notes
- Peanut butter. Fold through 1-2 tablespoons powdered peanut butter or peanut butter.
- Chocolate. Add 1/2 cup of cocoa powder and chocolate chips.
- Cookie dough. Make edible cookie dough and crumble pieces into the mixture, along with 1/4 cup chocolate chips.
- Strawberry. Add 1/2 cup frozen strawberries.
- Coffee. Add 1 teaspoon espresso powder or one shot of espresso.
Nutrition
Originally published April 2023, updated and republished March 2025
Love this cottage cheese ice cream so much!
Can you a flavored protein powder to replace the honey?
No, you need the liquid sweetener otherwise the ice cream will be icy.
Super easy and you would never know there is cottage cheese in it.
Added chunks of natural peanut butter to some and crunched up cookie in some
Thanks for the recipe. The ice cream came out very thick and creamy! Very easy to make and delicious. My only issue was remembering to pick up cottage cheese when I was at the store!!