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Cottage Cheese Protein Pancakes are made with four healthy ingredients and crazy delicious. They’re low-calorie, gluten-free and super simple to make. These cottage cheese pancakes are soon to be your new everyday breakfast favorite! Gluten Free + Low Calorie

Cottage Cheese Pancakes made with four healthy ingredients and crazy delicious. They're low calorie, gluten free and super simple to make. These protein pancakes are soon to be your new everyday breakfast favorite!
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Have you tried Cottage Cheese Oatmeal Pancakes? I know what you’re thinking, pancakes with cottage cheese?? But, yes it actually works. They’re thick, chewy, and OMG mysteriously good.

Not a cottage cheese fan? Not to worry! I can’t stand cottage cheese on its own, but this healthy Cottage Cheese Pancake recipe makes you realize you can eat it because you can’t taste it when it’s blended into fluffy pancakes. They taste like cinnamon-y oats. So before you snub your nose, you need to trust me and give this protein-packed stack a try! They’re on my low calorie hight protein meal plan every week.

Want to explore more ways to add more protein by cooking more recipes with cottage cheese? Try my cottage cheese waffles for breakfast, this cottage cheese mac and cheese for dinner, and chocolate cottage cheese cookies for a sweet treat!

Why You Will Love These Cottage Cheese Pancakes

  • Simple Ingredients. These protein pancakes with cottage cheese are made with just four ingredients!
  • Make the Batter in the Blender. All you have to do is toss them in a blender and cook. Pancake making could not be easier or better for you so NO EXCUSES peeps.
  • Perfect Pancakes. These cook up nice and fluffy and have the best flavor thanks to a touch of cinnamon! No one is going to know these are a healthier pancake option unless you tell them.
  • Healthier Pancakes. We’re adding protein and making these cottage cheese pancakes gluten-free with just a few simple ingredients! If you need a protein pancake but with lower carbs, check out this pancake recipe using coconut flour.

Ingredients

Here’s a quick look at the simple ingredients you need to make a batch of healthy cottage cheese pancakes.

Ingredients to make cottage cheese protein pancakes on the table before mixing.
  • Oatmeal: We’re blending these up so you can use old-fashioned oats or quick oats. Just make sure your oats are labeled gluten-free if you need to keep this recipe gluten-free.
  • Cottage Cheese: Choose your favorite brand of cottage cheese. It will be blended up until smooth to disappear into your pancake batter.
  • Egg Whites: For added protein and lower cholesterol. You can also use six whole eggs if you prefer but this will change the nutritional profile of your pancakes a bit.
  • Cinnamon: Adds warmth and natural sweetness to these gluten-free cottage cheese pancakes.

Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the quantities of each ingredient you will be using.

Variations

  • Lemon Cottage Cheese Pancakes: Skip the cinnamon and add a bit of lemon extract or freshly grated lemon zest to give your pancakes a bit of brightness.
  • Cottage Cheese Blueberry Pancakes: Add a few blueberries to the pancake right after it’s poured into the skillet.
  • Chocolate Chip Pancakes: Add chocolate chips or cacao nibs!
  • More Protein and Healthy Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Add hemp seeds or chia seeds to your pancake batter.

How to Make Cottage Cheese Pancakes

We’re using a blender to make these easy cottage cheese egg white pancakes so it’s quick and easy! You can also use a food processor. Here’s what to do:

Ingredients in a blender to make cottage cheese pancakes.

Step 1: Place all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender.

Pancake batter after mixing together.

Step 2: Blend until everything is mixed thoroughly.

Step 3: Scoop a quarter cup of the batter onto the heated skillet (I used an electric skillet) to form a pancake. Cook until small bubbles begin to appear and then flip them over with a spatula and cook another 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!

Pancakes with cottage cheese served up on a plate with fresh berries and a fork laying on the side with a bite stacked on the tines.

How to Store

This low calorie pancake recipe makes a lot of pancakes! I usually freeze half the batch and they last me two weeks.

  • Storing: Place the pancakes in an airtight container once they’re fully cooled. Freeze the pancakes for up to 1 month or keep them in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
  • Freezing: You can freeze them individually by laying them out on a parchment-lined baking tray and flash-freeze for an hour. Once frozen you can transfer them to a container for storage. This method makes it super easy to remove exactly the number of pancakes you need.
  • Reheating: You can reheat your oatmeal cottage cheese pancakes in the toaster oven, microwave, or in the oven on a baking tray. I find it’s best to reheat them once they’re thawed rather than reheating them frozen.

Serving Suggestions

These make a quick and easy breakfast when made ahead of time but you can also serve them up as a healthy weekend or holiday breakfast or brunch.

  • Brunch Serving Ideas: Combine them with this Denver Omelette Recipe or Greek Yogurt Eggs for something sweet and savory!
  • Top your Pancakes: For a boost of protein top your pancakes with your favorite Greek yogurt and fresh berries or a healthy fruit salad on the side! You can also choose your favorite low-sugar syrup or fruit sauce as well! Nut butters also make a delicious option for topping your healthy pancakes.

Expert Tips

  • Flipping Your Pancakes: Don’t flip too early! Wait until the bubbles begin to pop and don’t fill in and the edges look slightly dry.
  • Use an Electric Skillet: It’s not required but I do find you get much more control over the heat using an electric skillet.
  • Keep the Pancakes Warm: Likely you will need to cook in batches so in order to keep your pancakes warm, transfer them to a baking sheet pan and hold them on warm in the oven until you’re ready to serve.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use regular flour instead of oats?

For this recipe, you can’t swap the oats for regular flour because we are making them in the blender. This method will overact the gluten in the flour and result in tough pancakes.

Can you taste cottage cheese in pancakes?

Not at all! The cottage cheese is blended until smooth and basically replaces the milk commonly added to pancakes. It does add richness which you commonly get from dairy added to baked goods.

Oatmeal cottage cheese pancakes stacked up on a plate and topped with yogurt and berries and it's missing a portion so you can see the inside of the pancakes.

If you tried this cottage cheese protein pancakes recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below.

A stack of cottage cheese protein pancakes on the table with berries.
5 from 16 votes
Servings: 16 pancakes

Cottage Cheese Protein Pancakes (No Flour)

These Cottage Cheese Pancakes are the perfect balance of protein and whole grains with 4 simple ingredients and only 71 calories each!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
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Equipment

  • Food Processor
  • Electric Skillet

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Heat an electric skillet to medium high heat. Place the ingredients to a food processor or blender and blend until mixed thoroughly.
  • Scoop 1/4 cup of the batter onto the skillet to form a pancake.
  • Cook until small bubbles begin to appear then using a spatula flip and cook another 2-3 minutes.
  • Remove promptly from the skillet and place on a cooling rack while you repeat the process for remaining batter.
  • Store in the refrigerator up to a week or freeze up to a month.

Video

Notes

  • Freeze pancakes up to 1 month or keep in the refrigerator up to 1 week.
  • If using whole yolks, divide the egg whites in half. Note, using whole eggs will increase the amount of fat grams per pancake.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pancake, Calories: 71kcal, Carbohydrates: 7.9g, Protein: 7.5g, Fat: 0.8g, Saturated Fat: 0.1g, Sodium: 138.8mg, Fiber: 1.2g, Sugar: 1.4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Megan

Megan is a nutritionist who coaches women 35+ lose weight sustainably. She is the author of the Low Calorie Cookbook, fitness instructor, host of the Dish On Ditching Diets Podcast and creator of Skinny Fitalicious where you get lighter, higher protein recipes. Follow Megan on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube and Instagram for the latest updates.

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5 from 16 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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51 Comments

  1. Allie says:

    These look really good! What brand of lactose free cottage cheese do you use?

    1. Megan says:

      Breakstones maybe? I can’t remember off hand. I get it at Walmart. It’s the only cottage cheese I found there that’s lactose free.

  2. Heather J says:

    It says they are 71 calories each and in the notes it says 95 calories each haha.. Either way there super healthy and sound amazing with maybe some chia jam on top! holy yum i must try these

    1. Megan says:

      The notes are correct at 95. The recipe cards were switched over last month so all the old ones are messed up. I’m slowly fixing them but it’s a lot of work.

  3. Barbara Klapper says:

    Can I use regular rolled oats and regular cottage cheese?

    1. Megan says:

      I would image yes.

  4. Ashley says:

    I love cottage cheese on its own with a little pepper but I love your idea of having these post workout. A little carb with some protein to help recover! Adding to the list to make next week!

    1. Megan says:

      Guaranteed you will love it then!

  5. Sam @ PancakeWarriors says:

    As long as your pinky promise I won’t taste the cottage cheese I’m totally down for pancakes!! YUM

    1. Megan says:

      Promise! I am not a cottage cheese fan and they’re totally in disguise.

  6. Ginger Wroot says:

    These pancakes almost look too good to be true–I already have cottage cheese on the grocery list so I can make these soon. Thanks!
    –G
    http://gingerwroot.com

    1. Megan says:

      You will love them!

  7. Sarah @ BucketListTummy says:

    I used to be so anti cottage cheese, but it really is delicious mixed in with things – gives a great cheesecake flavor!

    1. Megan says:

      It really does mimic a cheesecake flavor. Thanks Sarah!

  8. Michele @ Paleo Running Mommai says:

    There was a time when I was downright obsessed with cottage cheese! But yes, lactose intolerant, so some cheeses are fine and others not so much. These are genius!

    1. Megan says:

      I would have never guessed you used to eat cottage cheese. I’ve accidentally bought the non lactose before and gotten really sick. I’m very careful about the now!

  9. Blair says:

    So perfect! Cottage cheese is like Greek yogurt — you can use it in SO many different ways — not just straight-up! I bet these pancakes taste amazing, and your photos are so pretty!

    1. Megan says:

      YES! I am obsessed with it. I’m calling it the new Greek yogurt even though technically it’s old.

  10. Susie @ SuzLyfe says:

    I love baking and cooking with cottage cheese! I can have yogurt and ice cream, but I’m not great with cheese and butter and straight up dairy. It is because of the lactose. Good old bodies.

    1. Megan says:

      I can do yogurt and some cheese. Other than that, forget about it!

      1. Sandra says:

        Hi there…I made half this recipe and added a very very ripe medium banana and a tad more oatmeal…DELISH!

    2. Erin @ Erin's Inside Job says:

      Girl why you up at 336 am??

      1. Megan says:

        I wasn’t. I was up at 4:30.

        1. Brenda says:

          That’s still super early lol