If you’ve been on TikTok lately, you’ve likely seen one or more recipes featuring cottage cheese. Once considered bland and uninteresting, with a lumpy texture that can be quite polarizing, this refrigerator food is now more than ready for its turn in the spotlight. While it’s not exactly clear what is responsible for cottage cheese’s noticeable surge in popularity, TikTok users have gravitated toward the dairy aisle staple for a few reasons.
For starters, cottage cheese is packed with health benefits. More specifically, it’s an excellent source of protein, with just one cup of the stuff containing approximately 25 grams of the muscle-building nutrient. By contrast, the same amount of similar foods, such as Greek yogurt and sour cream, don’t contain nearly as much protein. As you’ll soon see, mildly flavored cottage cheese is also beloved for its versatility and can be used in everything from ice cream to pasta sauce. And while cottage cheese’s naturally lumpy texture isn’t for everyone, TikTok users have proven that a quick spin in a blender transforms the uneven food into a smooth, silky delight. Just note that when you’re shopping for cottage cheese, versions made with whole milk will yield the richest, creamiest final products.
Here are some TikTok-approved cottage cheese recipes to try at home next time you need a snack.
Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
Sure, ice cream made with cottage cheese isn’t exactly like digging into a pint of mint chocolate chip, but it is a decidedly healthier alternative to the popular frozen dessert. To make cottage cheese ice cream, simply blend cottage cheese with some of your favorite mix-ins until it boasts an ice cream-like consistency. Then, you can top it with some of your go-to’s, such as chocolate chips or cookie crumbles. For example, in the TikTok above, user @feelgoodfoodie blends cottage cheese with frozen strawberries and honey to sweeten the final product. She then tops the mixture with strawberry slices and graham crackers, for even more texture and flavor.
TikTok user @thetastefuldiet took a slightly different approach and flavored her ice cream with almond butter and honey. She then mixed in chopped dates, cinnamon, and dark chocolate chips. Lastly, TikToker @erekasfood opted for a banana cream version by blending cottage cheese with banana slices, maple syrup, and vanilla, and mixing in cookies and even more banana slices.
Cottage Cheese Flatbread
If you’re looking for a protein-packed flatbread alternative, make it with cottage cheese. With only two ingredients (just eggs and cottage cheese, plus your favorite spices to taste), this cottage cheese flatbread recipe is super easy to make and so versatile. TikTok user @kalejunkie adds spinach to their recipe for an extra nutrient boost. Try filling it with your favorite wrap ingredients for lunch, or pile it high with your favorite toppings as an alternative to traditional pizza crust.
Cottage Cheese Dip
Everyone loves to dip, and the party snack just got even easier to make thanks to cottage cheese. All you need to do is substitute cottage cheese for sour cream and/ or cream cheese in cream-based dips, such as Caramelized Onion Dip or Artichoke Dip. In the above TikTok, user @joeywellness makes a healthier version of the latter using cottage cheese, minced garlic, lemon, artichoke hearts, tahini, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Once the dip is blended, you can go ahead and top it with a sprinkle of some of your favorite herbs and spices.
For an option that makes use of in-season tomatoes, try @kb.rd.nutrition’s dip, which combines sautéed cherry tomatoes with cottage cheese, paprika, and other spices.
Cottage Cheese Cheesecake
Cheesecake is typically made with ingredients such as cream cheese and/or sour cream, but as TikTok has shown us, the classic American dessert can also be made with cottage cheese. In fact, in the TikTok above, user @lilsipper_official proves you only need three ingredients to whip up a healthier version of the beloved sweet treat. To make cottage cheese cheesecake, all you need to do is blend cottage cheese, an egg, and protein powder, and bake.
For a version that’s a bit more like the real deal, take some tips from TikTok user @theproteinchef. He builds on the previous three-ingredient recipe by adding vanilla extract, a little sugar, and Greek yogurt to the mix, and also makes a delicious crust using graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. To flavor your cheesecake, consider adding cocoa powder or canned pumpkin to the cheesecake batter.
Cottage Cheese Pasta
For a pasta sauce that’s elevated yet still easy to make, reach for the cottage cheese. The popular ingredient works in any sauce where you might use cream or a similar ingredient. In the TikTok above, @jakecohen combines cottage cheese with onions, garlic, olive oil, salt, crushed red pepper flakes, tomato paste, and vodka to coat his noodles in a protein-packed vodka sauce.
Cottage Cheese Toast
Everything is better on toast, and that’s especially true of cottage cheese. Many TikTok users, including @brooklynsbite in the video above, slather mashed avocado on their toast before adding a layer of cottage cheese. Then come the toppings, such as chili oil, scallions, and lemon zest. Or, you can follow TikTok user @laurensbalancedbites’ lead and top the toast with fresh tomatoes, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Cottage Cheese Banana Bread
Instead of turning to protein powder to get healthier banana bread, TikTok user @fitfoodiefinds says reach for the cottage cheese instead. Not only does this add protein, but it will help keep the banana bread, but she says it will be “extra fluffy, extra moist, and so yummy.” TikTok user @healthyfoodiegirls explains cottage cheese banana bread is super unique because even though it doesn’t include any oil or butter, the banana bread is moist as though it did.
Baked Cottage Cheese Crisps or Chips
This recipe literally only takes one ingredient—you guessed it—cottage cheese. Simply spread cottage cheese on a baking sheet and bake for a few minutes until golden brown as TikTok user @katieaustin explains, saying it’s great as-is, enjoyed like a warm and cheesy crisp. TikTok user @lilsipper_official shows a giant crispy brown cottage cheese chip coming straight out of the oven, saying this recipe will “satisfy that snack attack.”