This cottage cheese protein smoothie makes the perfect healthy breakfast and taste just like cheesecake! Made with cottage cheese and fruit, it’s packed antioxidant and protein, but NO protein powder needed.
10 days ago I was about to leave for New Zealand. Bags were packed, I finished teaching my last class at the gym, and the house was clean. Until I looked in the fridge.
What’s in a cheeseCake protein smoothie?
Berries, cottage cheese, coconut milk, nut butter, banana or dates….basically good and healthy ingredients which cannot be wasted!!
Should I throw it all in my freezer (amongst the rest of my food I’m saving?) Oh no, not my precious cultured organic dairy, my antioxidant rich berries, my creamy coconut milk. They might get freezer burn and too icy. You get my dilemma, right?
I needed to do something with them ASAP! Luckily, my obsession with all things berry took over and I blended up a protein rich smoothie sans protein powder. Oh my heavens, this was delicious! And yes, it did taste like cheesecake, but I will get to that in a minute.
First, let’s talk about the cottage cheese. We love the organic cultured Nancy’s brand. It’s the only cottage cheese brand that settles well, due to the natural fermentation. Consider it the kefir of cottage cheese! It’s tangy and rich, and it’s my favorite.
health benefits of cottage cheese
The benefits of the cultured organic cottage cheese are amazing and I tolerated it well. It provides beneficial bacteria for the gut, complete amino acids, and calcium.
And you know what? It adds a nice protein kick to a smoothie.
Hence this cheesecake protein smoothie recipe.
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Berry “Cheesecake” Protein Smoothie Recipe
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: 1 –2 smoothies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These cheesecake protein smoothies are made with cottage cheese and fruit and packed with antioxidants and protein. NO protein powder needed.
Ingredients
- 1 to 1 ½ cups non-dairy milk (full-fat for a richer taste)
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- 4 Tbsp frozen canned coconut milk (see notes)
- 1 cup fresh or frozen berries (strawberries or blueberries), plus extra for topping
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp creamy almond butter or cashew butter
- 2 pitted dates or 1 small banana
- Optional: Maple syrup or honey, to taste
- Optional: For a thicker, creamier smoothie – add ¼ cup vanilla non-dairy yogurt or vanilla Greek yogurt
- Topping: Crushed gluten-free graham crackers or honey granola
Instructions
- In high-speed blender, place milk, cottage cheese and coconut milk cubes. Cover; blend on high speed 1 minute until smooth.
- Add the fruit, sweeteners, nut butter, vanilla, and optional mix-ins. Blend again until combined.
- Taste and adjust sweetness if needed with maple syrup or honey.
- Pour into a one or two glasses, then top with extra berries and crushed graham crackers or granola.
Notes
Prep Option– Freezing canned coconut milk in an ice cube tray is optional, but it creates an ultra-thick and creamy texture. Use 4 cubes (about 1 tablespoon each) for this recipe.
Substitutes – For a nut-free version, swap the nut butter for sunflower seed butter or skip entirely.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Category: drink
- Method: blend
- Cuisine: american
Looking to make this cheesecake protein smoothie recipe vegan or dairy free? No prob!
The extracts and extra ingredients help with the real “cake” taste. Plus, I gotcha covered with the protein, just add in a scoop or two of your favorite pea or hemp protein. Trust me when I say you’ll be hooked. As in, you’re gonna be making this recipe all Spring! Plus it’s just pretty to look at, right?
Okay okay, enough dairy talk, go make this cheesecake smoothie recipe! And while you are it, go buy yourself some butter extract, it does wonders!
Cheers!
What’s your favorite smoothie combo sans protein powder?
This looks fantastic. I’ve never tried butter extract before.
LOVE cheesecake!
what’s your fav? i need to make a healthy bite cheesecake.. gah!
This sounds delicious! I’ve never put cottage cheese or coconut flour in my smoothie before, but I’m intrigued!
let me know if you try it lauren!
A-MAZ-ING color Lindsay, so pretty!! I’ve never tried cottage cheese in a smoothie- this needs to change right away!
Cheesecake is def one of my favorite desserts 🙂 I haven’t grown to like cottage cheese yet, but I bet putting it in a smoothie would take away that interesting texture factor that I’m not used to! Thanks!!
I love cottage cheese in smoothies (: Mmmm! So happy you are getting a little break in New Zealand!
I’ve yet to put cottage cheese in a smoothie but I loveeee cheesecake so I really need to just buy some and try!! Plus, so much protein!!
The colors in this are gorgeous.
Also, I’m rooting for you and the kiwi here in Cleveland and maybe living vicariously through your beautiful pictures on Instagram.
I love cottage cheese and I’ve never used butter extract! Excited about trying it and this recipe! P.S. how do you get adorable cotter crunch logo in your photos? I’ve been wanting to do that instead of writing my blog.com but have no idea how. Thanks friend!
do you have photoshop? if so I can walk you through it!
That color is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i know, i’m so infatuated! LOL!
this looks so dang good & refreshing! I can see this being our summer go-to smoothie! (Little monster LOVES cottage cheese) Just wish I could find Nancy’s around here! Hope you’re having a great vacation..Enjoying all the photos!!! x0
yay let me know whatcha think!
I am totally hypnotized by the color of this smoothie…It has been a while since I’ve had cottage cheese, because I think it was upsetting my tummy and making me super bloated. 🙁 EEEKKK GOOD LUCK and sending good ju ju to the Kiwi!
that’s why i think you should try nancy’s cutlured cottage cheese. It’s the only kind I can handle since it’s low lactose and fermented
Interesting combo of ingredients! I never would have thought of putting cottage cheese in a smoothie. Thanks for linking up with us today!
thank you for hosting! love it!
Yum. I am not even a smoothie person but this looks fabulous!
This looks so yummy!! AND pretty 🙂 What kind of coconut kefir/yogurt do you recommend? I have never had kefir (but I want to try it!) and all the coconut yogurt I find at the store is pretty high in sugar. I’ve made my own coconut yogurt, I just need to dedicate time to the process if that’s what I’m going to do 🙂
I love cheesecake and I love smoothies and you’ve put them both fantastically together. Lovely! 🙂
i say yes to this! reminds me of something that little miss Strawberry Shortcake & her friends would drink
Love this!! I’m totally buying some cottage cheese next week and making this smoothie.
Oh bugger – I just cannot seem to get that straw to cooperate in trying to get it into ma mouth!!! I think it’s this darn screen that’s to blame!
🙂
Cottage cheese in a smoothie is a first for me!
This looks beautiful and sounds super tasty. NEVER thought of purchasing butter extract before. I just bought almond meal yesterday!
This is easily one of the prettiest smoothies I have seen! Pinning for later 🙂
This looks amazing!! I can’t say I’ve ever added flour to a smoothie but it wouldn’t really be any different than adding nuts which I have done often. I can’t wait to try it, I’m thinking Wednesday! Yep wear pink and drink pink on Wednesday, seems fitting! 🙂
No one ever believes me when I say that cottage cheese is amazing in smoothies! So thanks for backing me up on that one 🙂 Is it weird that it’s snowing and blowing outside and I want one of these anywayS?
i so thought of you! and you inspired me with your smoothie creations lately
Sneaky call on the cottage cheese! Gorgeous pics too.
this smoothie looks delicious! i’ve never tried coconut kefir — do you recommend it?
i do! i really like it as a dairy alternative. But it lacks protein, so i would add in some plant based if you are wanting it more protein packed
Never added cottage cheese to a smoothie! So interesting. I like added gelatin to smoothies lately when I am out of protein powder. so good!
good call! i love gelatin too!
Why have I never thought of adding cottage cheese to a smoothie?! Wow! Good call!
Sans protein powder?! I honestly can’t remember the last tim Idid that… but I love cottage cheese in them. Will have to try this… from our new home inSan Diego. Woooo hooooo! Hope you’re having a blast!
This looks divine! You had me at cheesecake. Yay for IMNZ!
I’ve had some really weird smoothies over the years because I just can’t stand to throw anything away when leaving 🙂 But this looks excellent!
I never know where else to use my butter extract- I need to play around with adding it to smoothies- thanks for the suggestion! I am weird about cottage cheese but I’ve heard its really good in smoothies- must try!
i think you’d like it jess! and a little goes a long way!
Look at all that coconutty goodness! I’d so make this vegan!
it’s good with coconut yogurt, for sure!
I’ve always been a cheesecake fan. What a cool idea!
THESE PHOTOS!! So pretty. Love the addition of cottage cheese.. never tried that before.
I’m not a big cheesecake person (more so than anything, I just want the graham cracker crust, haha, but I like the flavor–boom done!
i’m not either, but this one totally works! i promise!
cheesecake smoothie say whaaaaat?!?! i love me some cheesecake!!
Yay for delicious random concoctions!
Butter extract intrigues me, but I have yet to use it…maybe I need to start.
p.s. I am jealous of your NZ wine drinking!
i always use it for vegan dishes, it really helps!
Yum!!! A decadent smoothie that is actually healthy 🙂
I am loooovvvinnggg smoothies at the moment, and this sounds wonderful! What a good idea to make it into a CHEESECAKE! LOVE LOVE LOVE! Will you join us for meatless monday please? I am sure the other readers will love to give this a try 😀
I don’t know what intrigues me more…adding flour, the colors, the flavors. All!
I THROW EVERYSINGLETHINGIN and if it tastes yucky it’s mine–otherwise the child joins in with her steel straw.
No joke, I made a smoothie on the weekend with cottage cheese and was floored. It was however the most fugliest thing I’ve ever seen. Yours however, is a work of art.
LOL!well that’s why i add berries, it’s evens out the flugy
How convenient that I have all the ingredients and need to clean out my fridge?! Guess what I’m having for breakfast?
oh yay! let me know whatcha think
Your dilemma ended up being a serendipitous occurrence – it enabled you to make a kickass smoothie! 🙂 Recipe noted.
Keep having a fabulous time in NZ! X
thanks friend! xxoo
Oh I must get some butter extract, that has to be what’s missing from my no cream cheese cheesecakes! You are always the best resource. Oh to pick your brain! I hope you are having an awesome time in New Zealand. Thanks for sharing this non-protein powered protein packed recipes for us – it’s getting warmer here and smoothies will be my go to breakfast again!
you will LOOOOVE! i’m obsessed with it!
This looks and sounds amazing. Love how those throw-everything-into-the blender concoctions always turn out yummy! Hope you’re enjoying your time in New Zealand!
i am! i’m way off schedule. LOL! so needed though. Hope you are feeling ready for this week and surgery. Praying!