If you like Greek yogurt as the base for your overnight oats, you will love cottage cheese. It creates a light and creamy oatmeal texture, is quick to make (no need to blend; embrace the curds!), and it packs in 14 grams of protein per serving; no protein powder is needed—such an easy way to enjoy overnight oats and perfect for meal prep.
I love a quick and easy cottage cheese breakfast recipe! Whether I’m making cottage cheese breakfast toast, cottage cheese pancakesor these cottage cheese overnight oatsI find the protein in cottage cheese keeps me feeling fueled and satiated for hours. This is because cottage cheese contains casein protein, which is a slower-digesting protein than whey, and helps keep you feeling full for longer.
As a health and weight loss coachI highly recommend starting your day with a healthy, protein and fiber-rich breakfast. Not only does this provide you with great energy for the day, but it also stabilizes blood sugar levels, prevents snacking, and supports lean muscle tissue (which I am working hard to do as I turn 50 this year!).
And trust me, nothing makes a nutritious breakfast feel more doable than having overnight oats prepped and waiting in the fridge for busy mornings. Bonus points: my kids and hubby love it too!
Ingredients Needed + Helpful Tips:
Did I mention that overnight oats made with cottage cheese are a recipe that requires only five ingredients? Yep! Here’s everything you’ll need to make it:
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: Rolled oats are my preference when making overnight oats. Quick-cooking oats will work as well, but rolled oats create a better texture. However, steel-cut oats will not work because they are too hard and don’t absorb the liquid. If you are gluten-free, be sure to grab certified gluten-free oats (I like Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free oats).
- Cottage Cheese: The star of the show and protein-packed! I enjoy the texture of the curds in my overnight oats, but you can also blend the cottage cheese for a smoother consistency if you prefer. Good Culture is my favorite brand – it’s so rich and creamy. I always buy the low-fat variety, but full-fat is also a delicious option. Remember- cottage cheese is higher in sodium, so there’s no need to add extra salt to your overnight oats.
- Almond milk: I love an unsweetened almond milk for this recipe because it’s naturally lighter than traditional milk. But honestly, any milk will work. So you use what you have and/or what you love.
- Chia seeds: Help to make the overnight oats thicker by absorbing some of the liquid! Plus, they add fiber, protein, and healthy fats. When I want a super thick and creamy overnight oat, I’ll use three teaspoons of chia seeds per serving. When I want my overnight oats to be a bit looser, I’ll just use one or two teaspoons.
- Protein boost: As is, this recipe packs in 14 grams of protein per serving! However, I often aim for 30 grams of protein per meal, so to bump the protein even higher, I’ll add a half scoop of vanilla whey protein. Not only does it add more protein power, but it’s also delicious!
MEAL PREP TIP
I highly recommend making this in batches. I usually do five at a time, all in individual jars for easy grab-and-go breakfasts. This way, I know my hubby, kids, and I all have a delicious breakfast option waiting for us even on the busiest mornings of the week.
While you may see a variety of jars in my blog posts, this fat, short 16-ounce mason jar is my go-to for making overnight oats. It leaves plenty of room to stir the oats and has lots of space for toppings as well.
WATCH MY COTTAGE CHEESE OVERNIGHT OATS RECIPE VIDEO
Thanks so much for reading! If you make this recipe, I would love it if you could give it a ★ rating below. And be sure to follow me on YouTube, Instagramand Facebook for more healthy food inspiration. Cheers!
Protein-Packed Overnight Oats with Cottage Cheese
If you like Greek yogurt as the base for your overnight oats, you will love cottage cheese. It creates a light and creamy oatmeal texture that is quick to make (no need to blend; embrace the curds!) and packed with 14 amount of protein per serving. This an easy way to enjoy overnight oats with lots of protein; no protein powder is needed!
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 234kcal
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1-3 teaspoons chia seeds the more you add, the thicker your oats will be
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Topping Suggestions: berries, banana slices, chopped apples or peaches, peanut butter, almond butter, nuts, dried fruits, granola
Instructions
Place oats, almond milk, cottage cheese, chia seeds, and cinnamon in a small jar with a cover (mason jars are perfect). Stir until well combined and place on the lid.
Leave in the refrigerator overnight or for a minimum of four hours. Enjoy straight for the fridge as is or with extra toppings!
Notes
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 395mg | Potassium: 216mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 28IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 241mg | Iron: 2mg