High Protein Cottage Cheese Pancakes

These high protein cottage cheese pancakes are perfect for meal prep. Packed full of fiber, protein, and nourishing fats, all you need are 5 staple ingredients, a blender, and 15 minutes of time and you have a delicious and nourishing breakfast to start your day.

As a registered dietitian and busy mom, I’m always trying to develop quick and easy recipes that the whole family will love. Sometimes they take one try, and other times they take a little bit of tweaking to get it right. This recipe went through a few iterations, experimenting with different ingredient amounts until I came up with this rendition. 

When we took the photos for this recipe, there were quite a few pancakes leftover. I served them up for breakfast the next day and they were a hit. Indie seriously could not get enough of these pancakes! And I knew I had landed on the best version. 

If you’re looking for a recipe that you can whip up in 20 minutes or less that the whole family will love, then this is the recipe for you! I hope you like them as much as our family does 🙂

What you need for these High-Protein Cottage Cheese Pancakes & Substitutions

Quick oats: I used quick oats for this recipe because that’s what we had in the pantry. You can also substitute for rolled oats or old fashioned oats. They may be slightly more dense but will still totally work! Just don’t use steel cut oats! Because this recipe is blended, you can also substitute for oat flour. Note: 1 cup of rolled or quick oats is approximately ¾ cup of oat flour. 

Cottage cheese: Cottage cheese is the star of the show providing 34g of protein for just one cup! I’m a huge cottage cheese fan – I love a good a cottage cheese snack topped with fruit, blending it into a high-protein ice cream, or throw it into some pancakes to up the protein of a dish (like this recipe). If you don’t like cottage cheese or don’t have it on-hand, you can try using Greek yogurt, ricotta cheese, or apple sauce, but blended into these pancakes you can’t really taste it. 

Honey: I used honey to sweeten up these pancakes. You can leave it out if you prefer your pancakes without sweetener. You can also use maple syrup or agave nectar instead.

Eggs: The eggs act as the binding agent in this recipe, helping to hold the ingredients together and give the pancakes their structure. You can also substitute for a flaxseed or chia egg.

Baking soda: Baking soda is the leavening agent that makes the pancakes rise and become light and fluffy. In a pinch you can substitute baking powder but will need to tweak the amount. You can typically replace 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of baking powder. For a fluffier pancake you can double the amount called for in this recipe.

Avocado oil: I used avocado oil to grease the frying pan and prevent the pancakes from sticking. I like avocado oil because it has a high smoke point and neutral flavor while providing a favorable nutrition profile. You can use butter but make sure to keep the temperature low to prevent burning. Alternatively, combine avocado oil and butter together to increase the smoke point of the butter. If making the pancakes in batches, make sure to wipe out the old oil or butter with a paper towel. This will prevent burning as well.  

How to make This Blender Cottage Cheese Pancake Recipe

Mistakes and Fixes

Making blender cottage cheese pancakes is relatively straightforward, but like any recipe, there can be some common mistakes. Here are a few issues that might come up for you, along with their fixes:

Pancake batter too thick: Depending on the brand and type of oats you’re using in this recipe, you may have a thicker batter consistency. If this is the case, add a small amount of milk or water to the batter, a tablespoon at a time, and mix until it reaches your desired consistency. This will make the batter easier to pour and spread in the pan.

Pan too hot: Not all stoves are created equal. Some run a little hotter than others. Before you add your batter, you will add your cooking fat to the pan. If you’re using oil and it’s smoking, turn down the heat even more and allow the oil to cool before adding the batter. If you’re using butter, you want the butter to bubble (almost froth) but not brown. If the butter turns a dark brown, it is burning. You will want to lower the heat, wipe out the butter and start again.

Overcrowding the pan: Adding too many pancakes to the pan at once can result in uneven cooking or one giant pancake (not always a bad thing haha). You will want to cook the pancakes in batches, leaving enough space between them to flip and cook easily. If you’re making a big batch of pancakes, use the biggest pan you have or a griddle (I like this one!).

Nutritional Benefits

Cottage Cheese: Cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein (34g per 250mL), which is required for muscle growth and repair. It also helps us feel full longer and keeps our blood sugars balanced. When I’m making a balanced meal, I like to have protein, fiber, and nourishing fats. 

Oats: Oats are rich in fiber, particularly soluble fiber, known to help lower cholesterol. Fiber also contributes to a feeling of fullness and also great for stabilizing and regulating blood sugars (and therefore energy, mood and appetite). They’re a great source of slow burning energy to keep you fuelled through the morning.

Eggs: Eggs are a complete protein source, rich in essential amino acids. They’re also packed with vitamins and minerals like B vitamins and choline, which can support brain health and energy metabolism.

How to Meal Prep These Cottage Cheese Pancakes

These pancakes are perfect for batch prepping. Simply double or triple the recipe and store the extra pancakes in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in a sealable freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

Meal prep pro tip: Keep the pancakes separated with a layer of parchment paper. This will prevent them from freezing together and make your morning even easier. 

To reheat, put them in the toaster oven or microwave until warmed through. Finish with your toppings and enjoy a quick and nutritious breakfast!

How to Elevate These Pancakes

What I love most about this recipe is its versatility. You can build-your-own adventure with your favorite toppings and add-ins. Here are a few of our favorite topping combos and add-ins for some inspo!

Add-ins

• Hemp hearts
• Chia seeds
• Blueberries
• Chocolate chips
• Cacao nibs

Toppings

• Blueberries & lemon zest
• Nut butter & blueberry chia jam
• Raspberries & coconut flakes

If you make this high-protein pancake recipe, it would make my day if you would leave a comment and/or star rating below— I love hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram @lindsaypleskot.rd so I can see your versions! It makes me so happy to see these recipes come to life in your kitchens! Xo

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