This easy Cottage Cheese with Fruit bowl recipe makes a quick weekday breakfast or healthy snack any time of day! It's nourishing, easy to make, and packed with protein, keeping you fuller longer. And the best part is - these cottage cheese fruit cups are so versatile. Use your favorite fruit and toppings to make them uniquely yours!
It's been said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Whether or not you agree with that, breakfasts in the U.S. typically leave something to be desired. That's because there's a big emphasis on sweet breakfasts like pancakes, waffles, and cold cereal; unfortunately, most lack hearty protein and nutrition.
A better option would be homemade sausage patties paired with air fryer hash browns, sheet pan breakfast, or an easy breakfast skillet. But what if you are craving for a sweet breakfast but also need something hearty with a good protein intake?
That's where these cottage cheese and fruit bowls come in. This high-protein breakfast is easy, delicious, and will totally satisfy that sweet tooth craving. It's like these tasty crepe rolls but without the crepes and made in a fraction of the time.
Jump to:
- Why you'll love these Cottage Cheese Fruit Cups
- Types of Cottage Cheese
- Ingredients for Cottage Cheese and Fruit
- Substitutions and Variations
- Make it Nutrient Dense
- How to Make Cottage Cheese with Fruit
- Helpful Tips for Cottage Cheese Bowls
- Tools & Links to Make Cottage Cheese Fruit Bowls
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage Instructions
- FAQs
- Printable Recipe
Why you'll love these Cottage Cheese Fruit Cups
- Easy to make - no whipping, blending, cooking, or mixing is needed - just add everything to a bowl and enjoy!
- High in protein - the staple ingredient is naturally high in protein, making this an excellently satisfying treat.
- Healthy breakfast or snack - there are many health benefits of cottage cheese, but pair it with other superfoods, and you have a winning combination all around.
- Easy to customize - feel free to use your favorite sweetener and top with different types of fruit and your favorite toppings.
💭Fun Fact: Cottage cheese is often called "curds and whey" due to its production process, where milk separates into curds (solid) and whey (liquid). This play on words has a connection to the famous nursery rhyme about Little Miss Muffet.
Types of Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese comes in various types, curd-sizes, and fat content. Here are some common types of cottage cheese:
Whole milk cottage cheese: Also referred to as full-fat cottage cheese with a 4% milkfat and is my favorite because it contains more healthy fats, resulting in a creamier texture and richer flavor. My favorite brand of cottage cheese is Good Culture, and they make a double cream classic with the highest fat content (6% milkfat) and is absolutely delightful.
Reduced fat or low-fat cottage cheese: Although it has the same protein content as whole milk cottage cheese, the milkfat is reduced to 2%. This type of cottage cheese will work wonderfully in these cheese and fruit cups. The good news is that Good Culture has high protein content in all their cottage cheese, regardless of milkfat.
Whipped cottage cheese: This is simply cheese that has been blended to have a smoother and lighter consistency. Blended cottage cheese is a popular choice for spreading on crackers or using as a dip as the consistency is similar to Greek yogurt. It's also an excellent choice for those who don't prefer the curd-like texture of cottage cheese.
Small-curd cottage cheese: This cottage cheese has smaller curds, resulting in a smoother texture. It's often preferred for salads and dishes where a finer texture is desired.
Large-curd cottage cheese: On the other hand, this type gives the dish a chunkier consistency and is an excellent choice for those who enjoy more substantial curds. For this easy recipe, the type of curds is more of a matter of preference in taste and texture.
These are just a few options you have available to you, but it's not an exhaustive list. We could get more granular with lactose-free cottage cheese and low sodium variety, but at the end of the day, I recommend you use your favorite brand of cottage cheese and make sure you check the ingredient label to avoid additives and preservatives.
Ingredients for Cottage Cheese and Fruit
Learn how to make cottage cheese with fruit using 5 simple ingredients. This easy recipe doesn't require blending cottage cheese. If that's your preferred texture, you may do that, but I like to keep it simple and have this easy breakfast or snack ready in 5 minutes!
- Cottage cheese: Serves as a hearty base with a creamy texture in this healthy snack.
- Fresh fruit: Use your favorite fruit - I love fresh berries like strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and fresh blueberries. You can use frozen berries in a pinch.
- Raw honey: A drizzle of honey is a great sweetener to balance the natural salt in cottage cheese. Use your favorite brand of store-bought honey or pick up a jar from your local farmers market.
- Bee pollen: This superfood adds a floral and earthy taste and is a great way to include more vitamins B, C, iron, magnesium, and antioxidants.
- Chia seeds: Adds nutrition and dietary fiber, helping you feel fuller longer.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
Substitutions and Variations
- Try other fruit - Berries are in season in the summer months, but make a fall cottage cheese bowl using seasonal fruit like pears, apples, persimmons, and pomegranate anvils. Or try cottage cheese fruit cups with stone fruits like fresh peaches, plums, and nectarines.
- Use a different sweetener - honey pairs well with cottage cheese and bee pollen, but you can use maple syrup or even a sprinkling of coconut sugar. Check out my post on natural sugars to see other great sweeteners. I would steer clear of agave nectar due to its high fructose content, as seen in this Weston A. Price article.
- Add a crunch - Consider adding nuts and seeds like pumpkin seeds for added texture and nutrition. Homemade granola is also a great addition.
- Savory cottage cheese bowl - Swap the sweet with the savory by adding a fried egg, halved cherry tomatoes, sprinkling with everything bagel seasoning, and adding some cured or smoked salmon.
Make it Nutrient Dense
Staying true to the heart of what Prepare and Nourish is all about, there are ways to ensure you get the maximum nutrition in this fruit breakfast bowl recipe. Even though it's an incredibly simple recipe, you can take purposeful steps to turn this into a nutrient-dense meal.
Use best cottage cheese. In my opinion, the best organic cottage cheese on the market is Good Culture. It's made with grass-fed and pasture-raised dairy and has soft, small curds with live and active cultures. But the great news is that there are many excellent options at your local grocery store. Just check the ingredients to ensure they have no weird additives.
Start with seasonal ingredients. Fresh produce picked at their peak will be more tastier, juicier, and have more nutrition. Better yet, use organic produce if budget permits to avoid pesticides.
How to Make Cottage Cheese with Fruit
The complete printable recipe is below in the recipe card for your convenience. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions for the best results.
The recipe for cottage cheese breakfast bowls has very simple steps. All you need is a serving bowl and your ingredients. You don't even need to be fully awake so this is totally doable for a quick breakfast on busy mornings.
Step 1. Divide
Spoon one cup of cottage cheese into two small serving bowls each. This creamy base will be the canvas to hold all the toppings, so create dips and crevices.
Step 2. Add toppings
Slice the fresh strawberries into thin pieces and generously top the bowl of cottage cheese with berries. Drizzle with honey and finish with bee pollen and chia seeds.
Helpful Tips for Cottage Cheese Bowls
Chill the ingredients - For a refreshing treat, make sure the cottage cheese and berries are chilled before serving.
Garnish creatively - Get creative with garnishes. A sprig of fresh mint or a dusting of powdered sugar or cocoa powder can add a nice finishing touch, making it feel like a special treat.
Make a fancy spread - Arrange an assortment of colorful and flavorful toppings like sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, cacao nibs in small, elegant bowls or dishes to let your guests make their own quick cozy weekend breakfast.
💭Meal Prep Suggestion: Prepare the toppings in advance and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Berries are best when are they are washed in vinegar water solution and completely dry before adding them to the cottage cheese bowl.
Tools & Links to Make Cottage Cheese Fruit Bowls
Below are some affiliate links that may be helpful to you as you make this recipe. You can find some of these items cheaper at your local store, but having a link helps you know what you're looking for.
- Tools: small individual serving bowls, embossed cups with lids and spoons
- Ingredients: bee pollen, chia seeds, raw honey
Serving Suggestions
These cottage cheese with fruit bowls are a great option for an easy, delicious breakfast or quick snack in the middle of the day. It would also make a wonderful sweet treat after a healthy lunch or dinner.
Serve a small serving of this after a light supper of soup like borsch, porcupine soup, or ground beef vegetable soup. You can also pair it with egg drop soup for a fantastic way to bulk up protein in the morning.
Cottage Cheese with Fruit pairing suggestions
Storage Instructions
How long does cottage cheese last?
Unopened cottage cheese can last for about 1-2 weeks past the "sell-by" date on the packaging. But opened cottage cheese should be consumed within 5 days for the best flavor.
To store: If your bowls are prepped with all the toppings, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. After that, the fruit will start to soften, and will lose the fresh texture.
Storage containers: These glass snap containers are perfect for leftovers.
FAQs
Yes, cottage cheese is naturally gluten-free because it's made from milk curds. However, check the labels for flavored varieties as they may contain gluten additives. For those with gluten sensitivity, plain cottage cheese is usually always a safe choice.
Blending cottage cheese is easier than you think. Here's how to blend cottage cheese for a smooth and creamy texture: Add it to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Add a liquid like milk or water if needed to thin it out. Scrape down the sides as needed for even blending.
Yes, frozen fruit can be a convenient and cost-effective option. Thaw them at room temperature for a few minutes before adding them to the bowl. Keep in mind that frozen berries may release more moisture so you may want to adjust the amount of honey or toppings to maintain the desired consistency.
Depending on the brand of cottage cheese, a one-cup serving will have between 25-28 grams of protein. One serving of this cottage cheese fruit recipe as written in the recipe card has 25 grams of protein making it a great choice for breakfast or hefty snack.
Looking for more related recipes? Here are some ideas:
Did you make this? Please leave a ⭐ recipe rating in the recipe card below and leave a review in the comments. Thank you!💚
Printable Recipe
Cottage Cheese with Fruit
Ingredients
- 2 cups cottage cheese 16 ounces
- 1 cup berries like raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries
- 4 tablespoons raw honey
- 2 teaspoons bee pollen
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
Instructions
- Cottage cheese: Divide the cottage cheese evenly between two small bowls.
- Toppings: Cut strawberries into thin slices and divide the berries equally between the two bowls. Drizzle honey and sprinkle the bee pollen and chia seeds.
Notes
- Chill the ingredients - For a refreshing treat, make sure the cottage cheese and berries are chilled before serving.
- Garnish creatively - Get creative with garnishes. A sprig of fresh mint or a dusting of powdered sugar or cocoa powder can add a nice finishing touch, making it feel like a special treat.
- Make a fancy spread - Arrange an assortment of colorful and flavorful toppings like sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, cacao nibs in small, elegant bowls or dishes to let your guests make their own quick cozy weekend breakfast.
- Meal prep idea - Prepare the toppings in advance and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Berries are best when are they are washed in vinegar water solution and completely dry before adding them to the cottage cheese bowl.
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