These fluffy Cottage Cheese Pancakes are protein packed, quick to make and absolutely delicious. Take your breakfast routine to the next level and start your morning feeling satisfied and energized to take on the day ahead. The best part? Kids love them too!
Table of Contents
- Why I Love Cottage Cheese Pancakes
- Ingredients
- How to Make Cottage Cheese Pancakes
- Cottage Cheese Pancakes Video
- The Right Cottage Cheese for Pancakes
- Tips for Making Cottage Cheese Pancakes
- Toppings
- Additions You Can Add to Your Pancakes
- Storage and Reheating
- More Tasty Pancake Recipes
- Cottage Cheese Pancakes Recipe
Why I Love Cottage Cheese Pancakes
- Healthy: Packed with protein thanks to the cottage cheese, these pancakes are a great breakfast that will satisfy your cravings for pancakes while keeping you sustained for the day ahead!
- Easy to Make: There’s no extra fuss when it comes to making this Cottage Cheese Pancakes recipe. They’re just as quick and easy to make as classic pancakes.
- Kid-Friendly: Even kids who may have an aversion to cottage cheese love these pancakes. You’d never guess they have cottage cheese in them. The taste and texture is masked entirely. It’s always a win when a pancake recipe can be part of a healthy and balanced breakfast for kids.
- Versatile and Customizable: A cottage cheese pancake is the perfect canvas for adding your favorite toppings or mix-ins. Customize them to suit your tastes.
Ingredients
- Large eggs: Eggs keep everything together and add some richness to the pancakes. Plus, they also contribute some protein and essential nutrients.
- Cottage cheese: The star of the show! Cottage cheese adds creaminess and a subtle tang to the pancakes. It’s also a great source of protein. Feel free to use full fat or low fat cottage cheese.
- Vanilla extract: Adding vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the pancakes.
- Honey or Agave: These natural sweeteners add a touch of sweetness to the pancakes without overpowering their flavor. You can use either one you prefer.
- All purpose flour: Flour serves as the base of the pancake batter. I haven’t tested other flours, but I’m sure you could substitute whole wheat or a gluten free cup for cup flour if you want.
- Baking powder: Baking powder helps the pancakes rise and become light and fluffy.
- Kosher salt: A touch of salt helps balance out the overall flavor of the pancakes.
- Oil or Butter: You only need oil or butter to grease the pan.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Pancakes
1. Whisk Wet Ingredients:
- In a bowl, combine the first 4 ingredients—eggs, cottage cheese, vanilla extract, and honey (or agave). Whisk until combined.
2. Prepare Dry Ingredients:
- In a different bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, and salt—until evenly mixed.
3. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Pour the dry mixture into the bowl of wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix. The batter should be slightly lumpy.
4. Preheat and Grease:
- Heat a large sauté pan or griddle over medium heat. Lightly coat the surface with oil or butter to prevent sticking.
5. Cook Pancakes:
- Pour about 2 tablespoons of the batter onto the preheated griddle for each pancake. Cook for approximately 2 minutes on the first side. You should see bubbles on the surface before you flip.
6. Flip and Cook:
- Carefully flip the pancakes using a spatula and cook for an additional 2 minutes on the other side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
7. Serve:
- Once cooked, transfer the pancakes to a serving plate. Serve warm with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Cottage Cheese Pancakes Video
The Right Cottage Cheese for Pancakes
Like I mentioned before, cottage cheese is a good source of protein – about 25 grams per cup! When it comes to choosing which kind of cottage cheese for pancakes, there’s no right or wrong answer. You can use full fat or low fat, small curd or large curd. Pick your favorite brand and get to making these pancakes ASAP!
Tips for Making Cottage Cheese Pancakes
- Mix Gently: Combine your wet and dry ingredients gently until they’re just mixed. A few lumps are okay! Overmixing the batter can leave you with tough, chewy pancakes.
- Let the Batter Rest: Allow the batter to rest a bit before making the pancakes so that baking powder has a little time to activate. This will ensure you get light, fluffy and delicious pancakes.
- Grease the Pan Between Each: Use any oil you prefer to grease the pan – olive, avocado, or vegetable work great. Just make sure you keep reapplying between each batch of pancakes to prevent sticking, ensure even cooking and get those crispy edges we all love.
- Flip Carefully: Cook your pancakes over medium heat, and don’t flip them until bubbles form on the surface for that perfect golden brown finish.
Toppings
Pancakes, in general, have always been a blank canvas for adding delicious toppings, and these pancakes with cottage cheese are no different. Here are some topping ideas:
- Maple syrup, a tried and true classic pancake topping
- Fresh berries
- Sliced bananas
- Greek yogurt or a drizzle of nut butter for an extra bump of protein
Additions You Can Add to Your Pancakes
Get creative by adding in additional ingredients to your pancake recipe with cottage cheese. Here are some ideas:
- Chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts
- Chocolate chips for a little extra sweetness
- Shredded coconut
- Your favorite fruit like blueberries or bananas
- Lemon zest
Storage and Reheating
To Store: Leftover pancakes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To Freeze: Allow pancakes to come to room temperature, place in a ziploc bag, label and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: To reheat pancakes, warm them in the toaster, oven or microwave until warmed through.
More Tasty Pancake Recipes
Incorporating cottage cheese into your favorite recipes is a really easy way to get some extra protein into your diet! These pancakes are a great recipe to start with as they’re easy to make, tasty and super kid-friendly so the whole family can enjoy them! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions and tag me on social media if you make these healthy cottage cheese pancakes!
Images by Gerry Speirs
Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Equipment
- Large saute pan or griddle
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup cottage cheese (low fat or full fat will work)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons honey or agave
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- butter, oil or oil spray (for the pan)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the first 4 ingredients—eggs, cottage cheese, vanilla extract, and honey (or agave). Whisk until combined.
- In a different bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, and salt—until evenly mixed.
- Pour the dry mixture into the bowl of wet mixture. Stir gently until everything is just combined, being careful not to overmix. The batter should be slightly lumpy.
- Heat a large sauté pan or griddle over medium heat. Lightly coat the surface with oil or butter to prevent sticking.
- Pour about 2 tablespoons of the batter onto the preheated griddle for each pancake. Cook for approximately 2 minutes on the first side. You should see bubbles form before you flip.
- Flip the pancakes and cook for 2 more minutes on the other side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve warm with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
I made these tonite & although I fully adjusted the recipe, I’m confident they would be super delicious as written. My goal was to get protein AND veggies into my 7yr old so this is what I modified: 2 eggs, 1 tbsp ground flax, 1/2c cottage cheese, 1/2 c (1pouch) apple, sweet potato, carrot, blueberry baby food, 1.5tsp baking soda, 1/4c oat flour & 1/4c bobs red mill 1:1 baking flour (for my gf needs). I had to cook them slowly on the lowest setting and they were a little moist but she ate 5 of the 10 pancakes so that’s a win! Thanks so much for sharing Catherine! (And I’ve loved watching you on the Food Network😀)
Thanks for the kind comment! Glad you were able to make adjustments and enjoy these 🙂
This is THE best recipe ever for kids! I’ve been making these for over 4 years (can remember omitting honey when by now 5 year old was under 1). They are so easy, tasty, and full of protein. They freeze and reheat so easily and have become our go-to quick and easy school day breakfast. Currently making an 8x batch (yes, 24 eggs!) to freeze. Thank you!!
WOW! This is amazing. I’m so happy you love these as much as (maybe more than??) we do! Thanks for the kind comment 🙂
These are SO GOOD! I have made them twice now and feel far less guilty about eating pancakes. Great quick and light dinner option that is adaptable and nutrient-filled! Thanks so much 🙂
So happy you love them too! This recipe is one of our family’s favorites.
The pancakes though tasty came out really flat. Is there an ingredient missing to make them fluffier?
Hi Rachel! The baking powder is what will make these pancakes fluffy. Did you maybe leave it out?
Just found out my boy has familial high cholesterol ( skinny kid with inherited condition). Looking for recipes where he can still have his favs. Love the high protein in this and good fats. I cooked in avocado oil and added flax. Thank you! My kids loved these!
Just love these .. I have this shared recipe w a few friends and everyone says they’re great.. yum yum making them today .. add lemon zest a pinch of lemon juice..
I had some cottage cheese that was approaching its best before date and found this recipe. We prefer waffles over pancakes and I wondered if the batter would stand up in my waffle maker. It did! I added cinnamon and nutmeg to the batter as others suggested and found the waffles softer than we usually make, but very delicious. I will use this recipe again.
Thanks.
Fantastic! Good to know you can make these in your waffle iron. I love ours!
Delicious!
Great post!
Thanks
I make these with 100% oat flour which I make myself by grinding regular oats in the food processor and then sifting. I let the batter sit for 10 minutes so the oat flour absorbs some moisture and the pancakes are so good. This recipe is the best I’ve ever tried. I especially love adding cardamom to the batter and top with lingonberry jam and ricotta cheese.