Cottage Cheese Smoothies are refreshingly frosty, fruity, and extra creamy. Cottage cheese adds protein and a deliciously smooth texture when blended with banana and your favorite frozen fruit.
Table of Contents
You’ll love that this smoothie with cottage cheese is a thicker and creamier texture than many protein powder-based drinks. Combined with any frozen fruit, cottage cheese shakes blend up for meals or snacks ready in under 5 minutes.
Personalize this cottage cheese smoothie recipe with your preferred milk, fruit, or endless mix-in options for a protein-packed drink. Great for on-the-go or as a family-friendly summer drink!
Why You’ll Love This Cottage Cheese Smoothie Recipe
- Made with Kitchen Staples. This blended cottage cheese recipe uses common kitchen ingredients and frozen fruit for an easy protein drink anytime.
- Smooth and Creamy. Adding cottage cheese in a smoothie yields a delicious texture. Blending well will result in a smooth drink whether you use small or large curd cheese varieties.
- Protein-Packed Without Using Powder. If you don’t love the flavor or texture of protein powder or you find yourself unexpectedly running low, this cottage cheese smoothie recipe has protein without a powder.
- Kid-Friendly. Make with your family’s favorite fruit or fruit combination and serve with a smoothie straw for a kid-friendly summer treat with no added or artificial sugars.
- No Ice. Smoothies with cottage cheese and frozen fruit blend into creamy and frosty cold drinks without ice. If you prefer thicker smoothies, try this recipe!
Ingredients
- Milk: Dairy or plant-based milk, such as almond milk.
- Banana: Ripe or overripe banana works best.
- Frozen Fruit: Use one fruit or a combination of frozen fruit such as strawberries, peaches, blueberries, cherries, or raspberries.
- Cottage Cheese: A great source of protein and blends smoothly for thick and creamy smoothies. Plain or varieties with added fruit work for this recipe.
Substitutions
Fresh Fruit: If you use fresh berries, peaches, cherries, or other fruit, you can substitute a fresh overripe banana with 1 cup of frozen banana chunks. If you are using all fresh fruit, add a handful of ice to the smoothie before blending for a frosty finish.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Smoothies
For the complete recipe and measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1: Add all of the ingredients to the blender in the order listed. Blend on medium or high speed until smooth. Enjoy cool!
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Adjust Protein to Your Preference. Select a cottage cheese that contains your desired amount of protein and fat. Add additional fruity flavor by using a variety that contains fruit puree!
- Make a Single Serving. Cut all ingredients in half for a single-serving smoothie. Perfect for blending in a smaller blender or individual serving-sized blender.
- Add Ingredients to Blender in the Order Listed. Layering ingredients in the order of the recipe makes for the easiest blending.
- Use Mixed Fruit or Premake Your Own Mixes. If you love a variety of fruit flavors and like saving time, opt for a mixed bag of fruit or create your own combinations and store in 1-cup portions in zip-top bags for even quicker cottage cheese protein shakes.
- Enjoy Immediately. These smoothies are best enjoyed cool, right out of the blender. They do not store or freeze well.
Recipe Variations
- Coconut: Use coconut milk and add in ¼ cup coconut chunks, found in the refrigerated or frozen sections.
- Extra Protein: Add one or more scoops of your favorite protein powder for additional protein.
- Green Smoothie: Add a handful of baby spinach or a scoop of greens powder before blending for green cottage cheese smoothies with increased fiber.
- Sweeter: For a sweeter smoothie with cottage cheese, add 1 tablespoon of agave, maple syrup, or honey before blending.
- Seed Mix-Ins: Add 1 tablespoon of hemp seeds, chia seeds, or flax seeds.
Serving Suggestions
Smoothies are one of the most versatile foods and can be enjoyed for any meal or snack. Serve these smoothies with a stack of whole wheat pancakes or with vegan coffee cake for a complete breakfast. These smoothies are hearty enough to enjoy as a meal on the go, too.
Blend up a double or triple batch of cottage cheese shakes to serve outdoors on a hot day by the pool or patio. Reduce the milk in the smoothie to ¾ cup to make a smoothie bowl and top with For breakfast or brunch with a little crunch, serve in a bowl with additional sliced banana and Crunchy Tumeric Granola.
Dietary Adaptations
- Lactose-Free: To make this recipe lactose-free use lactose-free cottage cheese and plant-based or other lactose-free milk.
- Nut-Free: Make nut-free smoothies with oat or soy milk.
- Dairy-Free: Try Chocolate Banana Protein Shakes for a vegan and easy-to-make dairy-free smoothie option.
FAQs
Cottage cheese is one of the best ingredients for protein shakes, especially if you don’t have or prefer not to use protein powders. Cottage cheese comes in a wide range of brands and varieties so that you can pick one that has your ideal amount of protein and fat.
Blending cottage cheese into a smoothie adds both protein and creamy texture. A protein shake with cottage cheese will have a milkshake-like consistency and is a wonderful ingredient if you prefer more creamy and less icy textures.
Cottage cheese is a great substitution for yogurt in a smoothie recipe and many cottage cheese varieties contain more protein than yogurt.
Tools Needed to Make This Recipe
More Smoothie Recipes
- Chocolate Banana Protein Shake
- Coffee Protein Smoothie
- Pineapple Banana Smoothie
- Green Peanut Butter Date Smoothie
- Vegan Protein Smoothies (4 Ways!)
- Blueberry Spinach Smoothie
- Creamy Raspberry Smoothie
- Protein Popsicles (Made with a Smoothie Base!)
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