This Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowl is made with cottage cheese and the toppings of your choice. You can make this savory or sweet, and both ways are a delicious and healthy way to start the day!
It's a cottage cheese breakfast kind of morning! Eggs may be my go-to breakfast, but I think it's good to switch it up every now and then.
Of course you can go with savory oatmeal or chickpea pancakes or blueberry muffins, but do you ever think to eat cottage cheese for breakfast? ME EITHER, until now.
Besides breakfast, this bowl makes an excellent afternoon snack (similar to a smoothie!).
Why you'll love this breakfast bowl
- It uses cottage cheese as a base, meaning it's loaded with protein
- It's easy to customize with different toppings, and can be made savory or sweet
- It can be prepared the night before so breakfast is ready when you wake up in the morning!
Ingredient notes:
- Cottage cheese: You can't make a cottage cheese bowl without cottage cheese! I prefer full fat, and I love Good Culture brand cottage cheese.
- Sweet version: Want to opt for something on the sweet side but still healthy? Try adding nuts (I like walnuts), fresh berries (like raspberries or strawberries) and a pinch of cinnamon to add a little sweetness and more flavor to the bowl.
- Savory version: Craving something savory when you wake up? Top your bowl with sliced cucumber, tomatoes and a hard boiled egg for added protein.
Step-by-step instructions
Honestly, this recipe is super easy. But, I'm going to walk you through a few different ingredient options if you don't want to follow the recipe exactly as written.
Sweet bowl:
Step 1: Choose your nuts. I opted to use a combination of almonds and walnuts, but any kind of nut will work in this recipe. If you're allergic to nuts or just don't like them, you could use old fashioned oats or nut-free granola instead.
Step 2: Choose your fruit. Again, most any fruits will do, but I like to think berries pair really well with nuts and cottage cheese. Plus, who doesn't enjoy berries with breakfast? If it's wintertime and berries aren't in season, try a banana instead!
Step 3: Add the cottage cheese. This step doesn't really need explaining, but you're going to need cottage cheese for this cottage cheese bowl (obviously...). You can opt for low fat, 2% or 4% depending on your preference.
Savory bowl:
Step 1: Choose your vegetables. Again, this bowl is very easy to customize, but I used sliced cucumber, tomatoes and avocado, then sprinkled everything with chopped chives and black pepper.
Step 2: Assemble the bowl. Scoop the cottage cheese into a bowl, then add all of your toppings and dig in!
Expert Tips
- Unsure of what kind of cottage cheese to buy? Opt for a brand with no added sugar. Simply check the ingredients and compare brands (I personally like Good Culture).
- More "sweet" topping ideas: shredded coconut, sliced apple, chia seeds and/or a drizzle of nut butter.
- More "savory" topping ideas: a soft boiled egg, everything bagel seasoning, and/or green onion.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
You can! Simply prep this cottage cheese breakfast, place it in the refrigerator and you'll be good to go in the morning.
What if I hate the texture of cottage cheese?
You're not alone! While I personally don't mind it, I know many people aren't a fan (kind of like chia pudding). If you don't love the texture but still want to reap the nutrition from it, try adding cottage cheese on top of toast, and then adding a few extra toppings as well.
What are the nutritional benefits?
First of all, it's an excellent source of calcium, and full of vitamin B12 as well. And, as I've mentioned, it's a good source of protein, which will help keep you full throughout the morning.
Related recipes:
If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below!
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowl
Ingredients
for the sweet bowl:
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoon almonds
- 2 tablespoon walnuts
- ¼ cup blueberries or any kind of fruit
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon plus more to taste
for the savory bowl:
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- ¼ cup cucumber sliced
- ¼ cup grape tomatoes sliced
- ½ avocado sliced
- 1 tablespoon chives plus more to taste; chopped
Instructions
for the sweet bowl:
- Place the cottage cheese in a bowl, then add the nuts and berries on top. Sprinkle with cinnamon and enjoy!
for the savory bowl:
- Place the cottage cheese in a bowl. Next, slice the cucumber, tomatoes and avocado, then place them on top of the cottage cheese. Sprinkle with chives and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
UPDATE NOTE: This post was originally published in May 2014. It was updated with new text in January 2022.
Jan @ Sprouts n Squats says
Your photos look beautiful. However i've tried to love sweet cottage cheese dishes and I just don't :/ I've always associated it with being both savoury and with a really gross diet I went on as a teenager which scared me away from it. I tried it again 6 months ago but it just wasn't for me, I'd swap it for greek yoghurt 😉
Erin says
Hhaha that's fineeeee you eat your yogurt and I'll eat my cottage cheese 🙂
Denise says
Try blending it, it comes out smooth and creamy. Or try blending it with Greek yogurt to tang it up
Lex says
yes! LOVE cottage cheese!
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
Cottage cheese always used to freak me out when I was younger, however, I think it was because I didn't like CHUNKY things... That being said, I feel like I would like it now, but alas, I cannot eat it 🙁
Hilary says
I LOVE cottage cheese! I actually like the texture too it seems like just having some texture versus greek yogurt makes me feel full longer!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
The texture of cottage cheese actually doesn't weird me out. Just using the word "curd" gets me. BUT this look absolutely scrumptious! I could definitely enjoy a bow for breakfast.
I hope the problems with avocado egg toast aren't too serious! 🙁
Liz @ Carpe Diem and Run says
I love cottage cheese mixed with apple butter! 😀
Paige@FitNotFad says
I LOVE cottage cheese so much...one of my fav foods! I usually eat it mixed with peas. Try it I promise it's good! Oh and I always get 1%...2 is too creamy and low fat is gross.
Erin says
No way.. that sounds so weird but I want to try it now.
lindsay says
this looks great! i love those combos. And nice touch with the cinnamon!
Kelly @ Living Music Happy says
I LOVE cottage cheese, so I think it always gets a bad rap too. Can't wait to try this!
Alisha @ Alisha's Appetite says
YUM. I haven't had cottage cheese in forever!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
Mmm...cottage cheese. Definitely a favourite of mine! This looks perfect for a quick breakfast.
Ang @ Nutty for Life says
Girlfrannnn your pics are seriously looking amazing.
I'm not a big fan of cottage cheese mixed with anything but Cassie told me it's because I'm doing it wrong and need to get unsalted cottage cheese. I have yet to find it, but I'm going to give it a chance. Then maybe I'll make this!
Erin says
Thanks Ang! And ya ya you gotta just keep trying different brands/kinds until you find the right one!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
I'm down with cottage cheese. That was until like last year. Along with raspberries...as you know 😉
Ursula @ Northern Ambitions says
I think cottage cheese is a yah but I've never had it with fruit. my mom is always trying to convince me to give it a go, but in my head cottage cheese is savory and should be eaten with olive (yum,) cucumbers and tomatoes. Maybe I should venture to try it with raspberry though...
Amy @ Long Drive Journey says
Ahhh I just can't get myself to try cottage cheese! It looks like yogurt when it's gone bad, haha. Maybe if you were to hide it in an otherwise delicious dish like this and then I could try it and love it, I wouldn't have the problem!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says
I have cottage cheese at home right now and some frozen berries in the freezer, so I totally need make one of these. It looks SO yummy!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
ADORE cottage cheese, but unfortunately my stomach doesn't always feel the same way. But I eat it anyways 😆
Tina Muir says
This looks wonderful Erin! Cottage cheese is a definitely yay for me! I am always eating it for a nutritious snack in between meals! Now I have a brand new way to enjoy it 🙂
Miss Polkadot says
Maybe I'm odd but I actually like the texture of cottage cheese. It might be the child in me thinking it's fun to eat... Either way this sounds pretty good. Minus the walnuts I could see this be a great breakfast - or snack because I can't seem to break up with oats for my first meal of the day. I also agree 2% [or 2,4 % because Germany has odd numbers there] is the way to go. Fatfree/ very low-fat cottage cheese is... nasty.
Jessie says
Ugh... why can't I like cottage cheese? I have tried numerous brands, and nope just can't stomach it. Such a tragedy! Especially since this breakfast/snack idea sounds and looks delicious.
Erin says
Haha you're not the only one girl and I am the same way with yogurt--I wannnnt to like it but I don't.