Oh hi, it’s me, back with another cottage cheese recipe!

These cottage cheese protein pancakes are a breakfast staple in our household, and I make at least one batch of the batter each week and store it in our fridge to whip up in the morning.

The girls absolutely love them (we use them in our mini waffle maker with chocolate chips too!), and I love that I’m sneaking in tons of protein to help keep everyone’s blood sugar stable first thing, setting the tone for the entire day. 

Along with packing in the protein, these pancakes also contain plenty of fiber and have a light, fluffy and slightly sweet texture and taste, thanks to the addition of oats and banana. 

Blending the batter also allows you to get creative and versatile, and sometimes I’ll add in some spinach or kale for a veggie boost, or switch the banana for pumpkin, etc. based on the season and what I’m craving. 

Any way you choose to make them, they’re guaranteed to be a hit. Snag the recipe and details below. 

 

IS COTTAGE CHEESE HEALTHY?

Cottage cheese is seriously trending right now, and for good reason! It’s an amazing source of protein (25-30g per cup!) which is a building block of hormones and needed to keep blood sugar stable, as well as gut-boosting probiotics, B vitamins and minerals like selenium (needed for optimal thyroid health). 

All of that being said, cottage cheese is sourced from cows, and may be difficult for some to digest if you have an intolerance to casein or lactose (in which case I would avoid as it could cause an inflammatory response). 

 

WHY PROTEIN IS IMPORTANT FOR HEALTH + HORMONE BALANCE

As mentioned above, these pancakes are packed with protein (32g per serving!), but why exactly does that matter for your hormones?  To expand, protein is one of three essential macronutrients, alongside carbohydrates and fat, and is an essential structural component of ALL hormones, which means you have to consume sufficient protein to make enough hormones to function properly.

It’s also used to make muscles, tendons, organs, skin, enzymes, neurotransmitters and various molecules that do everything from boost metabolic health, fertility and protection during pregnancy to proper immune and cognitive function as well as regulating your menstrual cycle and blood sugar. 

Bottomline, it’s a very well-researched non-negotiable when it comes to optimal hormone balance and health. 

 

HORMONE HEALTH BENEFITS OF CONSUMING PROTEIN 

Here are some of the specific hormone health benefits you can expect when prioritizing high quality protein sources (30 grams of protein) at each meal:

+ REGULATES GLUCOSE (I.E.BLOOD SUGAR)

+ IMPROVES SATIETY 

+ DECREASES APPETITE + HUNGER LEVELS 

+ INCREASES MUSCLE MASS + STRENGTH 

+ IMPROVES METABOLIC HEALTH + FAT BURNING

+ HELPS REPAIR TISSUES + ORGANS

+ REDUCES MOOD SWINGS

+ PROMOTES OPTIMAL OVULATORY CYCLES

+ BOOSTS ENERGY

+ REDUCES NAUSEA + FIRST-TRIMESTER PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS

 

COTTAGE CHEESE PROTEIN PANCAKE INGREDIENTS

These pancakes are packed with gut-boosting and hormone-healthy nutrients! Below are the main ingredients that contribute to this recipe’s delicious taste and nutrient-density. 

+ FULL-FAT, ORGANIC COTTAGE CHEESE

Because, duh. I’m obsessed with this brand. 

+ GLUTEN-FREE OATS

These add a specific fiber known as beta-glucan that stimulate the growth of good bacteria in the gut and stabilize blood sugar. I like to use protein oats for an additional protein boost (30g in this recipe)!

+ ORGANIC PASTURE-RAISED EGGS

Eggs help with texture and give a nice little protein boost (18g in this recipe!) They’re also rich in B vitamins, selenium and choline, a nutrient essential for ovarian health and fertility. Look for a brand that is pasture-raised and organic for the most benefits!

+ BANANA

Adding banana to this recipe sneaks in extra vitamin B6 and magnesium (especially helpful to alleviate PMS) and adds a subtle sweet taste! 

+ PROTEIN POWDER

Vanilla protein powder adds a touch of sweetness and adds almost 50g of protein to this recipe! Look for a brand that uses a high quality protein source, has minimal ingredients, and is third-party tested. I’m obsessed with this brand, which is 100% sourced from grass-fed beef and tastes amazing (the vanilla tastes like birthday cake and the salted caramel is my fave). *Use code SOFRESH15 to save. 

 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING COTTAGE CHEESE

As with anything, not all cottage cheese brands are created equal! These are my tips to select a cottage cheese brand that will positively benefit your hormones and health, instead of detract from it. 

+ CERTIFIED USDA ORGANIC

This means you’re not ingesting any growth hormones, synthetic additives or antibiotics given to conventionally raised cows. 

+ FULL-FAT

Lower fat varieties have less calories and saturated fat, but they often compensate for a drier and less creamy consistency by adding gums, sweeteners or other artificial ingredients to mimic the texture of whole milk fat. I love the texture and taste of full-fat, and find it much more satiating. 

+ LIVE + ACTIVE PROBIOTIC CULTURES

This ensures you are getting a dose of good for your gut probiotics!

+ MINIMAL, REAL INGREDIENTS

Make sure you’re avoiding adding sugars, thickeners like guar gum or artificial ingredients such as carrageenan, etc. which can cause inflammation. 

And if you want a specific brand recommendation, this one is my go-to that includes all of the above and tastes absolutely delicious!

HOW TO MAKE COTTAGE CHEESE PROTEIN PANCAKES 

This recipe is about as simple as it gets! All you have to do is:

1) Blend the oats in a blender first, turning it into a “flour.” Then add all remaining ingredients, blending until smooth.

2) If making in advance (my preferred option to save time cooking day of!) store in a glass jar in the fridge until ready to use. When ready to cook, heat a large skillet over medium low heat and grease evenly with preferred cooking oil (see my tips in the recipe below). 

3) When the skillet is hot, add batter in 1/4 increments, sprinkling in optional mix-ins. Cook until bubbles appear on top, then flip with a spatula and cook until both sides are golden brown, removing from the pan. Serve with toppings of choice. 

 

COTTAGE CHEESE PROTEIN PANCAKE SWAPS + ADD-INS

While I love the recipe as is, it’s very versatile and you can customize based on your preferences. Here’s a few you can try:

+ Substitute the Cottage Cheese For Greek Yogurt or Ricotta

Offers the same tangy, creamy taste and texture and just as much protein!

+ Make Completely Sugar-Free

I do this often for my kiddos. Just leave out the optional maple syrup in the batter (the banana adds plenty of natural sweetness, plus we usually add maple syrup on top too!)

+ Add in Dark Chocolate Chips or Blueberries

Dark chocolate chips are our go-to, but blueberries taste great too, and both add lots of antioxidants. Just sprinkle on top of the batter once you’ve added it to the skillet to cook. 

+ Sneak in Spinach or Kale

This is such a great way to get in a serving of vegetables first thing, along with their plethora of antioxidants! The spinach has more of a mild taste, so we prefer this option. 

+ Swap the Banana for Pumpkin Puree

Another great way to get in more veggies. Just swap the banana for 1/2 cup of organic canned pumpkin puree, and add 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice to enhance the flavor. 

+ Top with Chopped Nuts

Sprinkling chopped walnuts or pecans on top adds to the nutrient density and really compliments the banana flavor. 

 

WHAT TO SERVE THESE COTTAGE CHEESE PROTEIN PANCAKES WITH

+ Chicken or Turkey Breakfast Sausage

Our go-to option! The savory compliments the sweet of the pancakes, plus these sneak in even more protein! I love this brand. 

+ Pasture-Raised Eggs

Another great way to sneak in more protein and nutrients. 

+ Berries, Nut Butter + Hempseeds

Topping these pancakes with creamy nut butter, fresh berries and seeds (hempseeds are my go-to) tastes amazing and adds more healthy fats and fiber to the pancakes. 

 

 

 

CYCLE-SYNCING TIP

While I make this batter weekly to have on hand for family-friendly breakfasts, I personally prefer them during my luteal phase as a way to sneak in extra protein and nutrients to keep blood sugar stable (crucial for keeping PMS at bay!)  Additionally, the oats, egg yolks, banana and cottage cheese are all rich in B vitamins that support optimal mood and energy levels. If you tend to crave sweet breakfasts and struggle with PMS, I highly recommend giving this recipe a try in your luteal phase!

MORE HIGH PROTEIN COTTAGE CHEESE RECIPES

+ High Protein Whipped Cottage Cheese

+ High Protein Pumpkin Cottage Cheese Muffins

+ High Protein Cottage Cheese Egg Bake

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Photography by Tanya Pilgram