Cottage Cheese Toast
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Cottage cheese toast is a sneaky and delicious way to pack extra protein in your morning toast. With six sweet-and-savory options, it’s ready in less than five minutes.
Why I love cottage cheese toast
You may think cottage cheese is having a moment, but this cottage cheese toast I’m sharing with you today has been a breakfast staple for over ten years.
It started as an easy way to sneak in protein, but once you added some creative toppings, it turned into something you’d pay good money for at a cafe or brunch spot.
I’ve tried it with all kinds of cottage cheese (fat-free, low-fat, and whole milk) and it works with all of them, so use whichever you prefer. Here are some other reasons I chose to make this:
- High protein. Each slice of toast packs in at least 15 grams of protein, and more if you add an egg or smoked salmon (my favorite topping!).
- Quick and easy. While the bread is toasting, slice up your toppings, and you’re good to go!
- Versatile. I don’t just enjoy this toast for breakfast: it’s great pre-workout, as a light lunch, or a satisfying snack between meals.
Key Ingredients
Every flavor starts with the same base, then the toppings are where we change things up:
- Bread: I typically use sourdough toast because it’s extra crusty and doesn’t get soggy if cottage cheese sits on it for an extended period. Of course, any bread you like is fine, including alternative options like keto bread or protein bread.
- Cottage cheese: Whole-milk cottage cheese will provide the richest flavor, but fat-free works just as well. If you’re making a sweeter toast, whipped cottage cheese is a great option. Not a fan of dairy? Try my dairy free cottage cheese.
How to make toast with cottage cheese
Once you toast your bread, add the cottage cheese on top. Now is the fun part- add any of the topping combinations below!
Smoked salmon and capers
- Smoked salmon
- Red onion
- Capers
- Fresh dill
This is my go-to topping! When I was traveling in France, I regularly enjoyed something similar called a ‘Tartine’. The smoked salmon adds healthy fats and extra protein, while the capers and fresh dill add a punch of flavor.
Avocado classic
- Sliced avocado
- Olive oil
- Flaky sea salt and red pepper flakes (optional)
If you love classic avocado toast, dare I say this is even better? The cottage cheese works so well with the creamy avocado. I like to drizzle some olive oil on top for that added satiety, and if you love a touch of spice, nothing beats a sprinkling of red pepper flakes.
Tomato and flaky salt
- Heirloom tomato
- Cherry tomato (optional)
- Basil
- Flaky salt and pepper
Did you ever grow up eating sliced, salted tomatoes on toast, this one is for you. The creaminess from the cottage cheese adds a subtle tang which complements the sweet, juicy tomatoes. I never skip the salt, because it enhances the natural sweetness.
Poached egg
- Poached egg
- Everything but the bagel seasoning
As someone who is regularly lifting weights, adding a poached egg on my cottage cheese toast packs in extra protein which is much needed after a workout. If you don’t like poached eggs, I sometimes whip up some microwave scrambled eggs or some air fryer soft boiled eggs.
Cucumber and arugula
- Cucumbers- Persian or English
- Arugula
- Flaky salt
I used to enjoy scooped out cucumbers filled with cottage cheese (when I did a weight loss diet years ago), but having toast as the vehicle is so much better. The cucumbers add some crunch and the peppery arugula rounds things out.
Sweet toast
- Honey
- Peaches (or nectarine)
- Grapes
- Crushed walnuts
I only included one sweet toast option because this one is so easy to adapt any way you like! Cottage cheese and honey is a fabulous combo, and adding some juicy sliced stone fruit (peaches are my favorite), halved grapes (extra sweetness), and some crushed walnuts on top for healthy fats and added crunch.
✅ Nutrition reviewed
“Cottage cheese toast is a go-to recommendation for clients who want something comforting yet protein-rich. The cottage cheese adds a creamy texture while significantly boosting protein, which helps support satiety and stable blood sugar. Paired with wholegrain toast and optional toppings like fruit, nut butter, or avocado, it’s a balanced, versatile option that works for snacks, breakfast, or light meals.” – Felicia Newell, MScAHN, RD, CPT.
Cottage Cheese Toast
Ingredients
Toast base
- 1 slice toast sourdough, wholegrain, etc
- 1/3 cup cottage cheese
Smoked salmon
- 2 ounces smoked salmon
- 4 slices red onion
- 1 teaspoon capers
- 1 sprig fresh dill
Avocado
- 1/4 avocado sliced
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Tomato
- 1/4 large heirloom tomato
- 2 cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Cucumber
- 6 slices cucumber
- 1/8 cup arugula
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Egg
- 1 poached egg or hard boiled/fried/scrambled
- 1/4 teaspoon everything but the bagel seasoning
Sweet
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/4 peach thinly sliced
- 4 grapes halved
- 1 teaspoon walnuts crushed
Instructions
- Toast the bread until desired doneness.
- Spread the cottage cheese over the toast.
- Add toppings of choice and serve immediately.
Notes
- Nutrition note: Calculations are based on one piece of standard sourdough toast with 1/3 cup of low-fat cottage cheese. Other kinds of toast and cottage cheese will alter the macronutrients. Toppings are not included.
Nutrition
More easy cottage cheese breakfasts
If you want some other delicious ways to enjoy cottage cheese for breakfast, try one of these below
