Cottage Cheese Smoothie
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
My cottage cheese smoothie is packed with 15 grams of protein and tastes like strawberry cheesecake. It’s healthy and keeps you satisfied until lunch.
I make smoothies weekly because they are convenient, healthy, and take seconds to make. While my go-to is a protein smoothie, I’ve recently enjoyed swapping the protein powder for cottage cheese!
Adding cottage cheese to a smoothie sounds a little strange, but the trick is to balance it with the other ingredients to mask any taste…or to make it like a cheesecake smoothie, which is the route I went with. Adding a banana adds thickness and sweetness, while the strawberries give it a strawberry cheesecake flavor. I’ve made this smoothie at least thirty times since then, and I’ve tried so many flavor combos, so I’ll be including them, too.
Table of Contents
Why I love this cottage cheese smoothie
- Healthy. When made as is, this smoothie packs at least 15 grams of protein, fiber, and has no refined sugar.
- Versatile. While I typically enjoy one for breakfast, if I’ve had a heavy workout or need a filling snack, it’s been a savior.
- Easy to customize. I’m including six delicious flavors to try.
- Quick and easy. You have breakfast sorted in under a minute!
Key Ingredients
Here’s what goes into my cottage cheese shake, along with kitchen notes. The complete list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
- Cottage cheese. I like to use full-fat cottage cheese because it’s naturally creamier, but this recipe works well with all kinds of cottage cheese without changing the flavor.
- Banana. Naturally adds thickness and sweetness. If you have frozen bananas, even better.
- Strawberry. Like bananas, frozen strawberries yield a creamier texture.
- Maple syrup. I don’t usually add sweeteners to my smoothies if there is already a banana, but to counteract any cottage cheese flavor, I like to add a pinch. Honey will also work.
- Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk, but use whatever milk you have on hand.
Nutritional boosts
You can easily amp up the smoothie with more protein, healthy fats, or fiber.
- Protein: For an extra 20-25 grams of protein, add 1/4 cup of your favorite protein powder.
- Nut/seed butter: For more satiety, add one to two tablespoons of almond butter, peanut butter, or a nut-free alternative like tahini.
- Seeds and more: For more fiber, add one tablespoon of chia seeds or ground flax seed.
How to make a smoothie with cottage cheese
Step 1- Assemble. Add the ingredients to a blender.
Step 2- Blend the ingredients until smooth.
Step 3- Pour the smoothie into a glass and serve immediately.
Flavor variations
I personally think adding cottage cheese automatically gives “cheesecake” vibes, so here are some fun flavors I’ve tried out:
- Strawberry matcha: My partner’s favorite: add one teaspoon of matcha powder before blending.
- Blueberry cheesecake: Swap the strawberries for blueberries.
- Peanut butter: Add one tablespoon of creamy peanut butter or two tablespoons of powdered peanut butter. You can omit the strawberries if you like.
- Biscoff: Omit the strawberries and add an extra half a banana. Swirl through one to two tablespoons of creamy Biscoff spread before blending.
- Chocolate peanut butter: Omit the strawberries and add one tablespoon of peanut butter and two teaspoons of cocoa powder.
- Raspberry: Swap the strawberries for fresh or frozen raspberries.
✅ Nutrition reviewed
“I recommend this cottage cheese smoothie to clients who want a higher protein breakfast but don’t want to use protein powder. It’s boasts extra fiber, too, thanks to the fruit.” – Felicia Newell, MScAHN, RD, CPT.
Cottage Cheese Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1 small banana fresh or frozen
- 1 cup strawberries fresh or frozen
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 3/4 cup milk I used unsweetened almond milk
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender, add the cottage cheese, banana, strawberries, maple syrup, and milk.
- Blend until smooth. If the smoothie is too thick, add a little extra milk.
- Transfer to a glass and serve immediately.
Notes
- Leftovers: Smoothies are best enjoyed fresh. You can freeze portions in ziplock bags (smoothie bags) for up to 6 months. When ready to enjoy, simply add them to a high-speed blender with 1/4 cup of milk.
- Flavors to try: See six of my favorite flavors in the flavor variations section above.
Nutrition
More healthy smoothies
- Breakfast smoothie– Just 3 simple ingredients and deliciously satisfying.
- Oatmeal smoothie– I love how extra filling this smoothie is, thanks to the oats.
- Chocolate peanut butter smoothie– It’s like a healthy peanut butter cup in smoothie form.
- Avocado smoothie– Thick, creamy, and no way to taste any avocado in it.
