If you're into the irresistible combination of sweet and savory flavors, then this Cottage Cheese with Fruit recipe is a must-try!
This delicious recipe is made with basic ingredients from your grocery store in a few simple steps. It can be made up with different types of fruits each time to keep the dish exciting.
Cottage cheese and fruit- the perfect combination
Pairing creamy cottage cheese and fruit results not only in a tantalizing blend of textures but also in a nutritious meal that's packed with protein.
This recipe also is a great meal prep option as the fruits can be prepared and cut up in advance, leaving you with 5 minutes of work to put it all together.
A great source of nutrients, an easy breakfast, or a fruit snack, this fruits and cottage cheese combo is a great way to start your day!
If you love fruity breakfast options, take a read through my High Protein Overnight Oats, Passionfruit Smoothie recipe or these Overnight Oats with Frozen Fruit. Or check out my Cottage Cheese Toast recipe.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Bursting with different flavors: Cottage cheese with fruit combines the natural sweetness and juiciness of berries and cherries with cottage cheese's creamy and slightly tangy flavor.
- Nutrient-dense: This recipe is delicious and packed with essential vitamins and antioxidants. The fruit provides a plentiful dose of vitamin C from strawberries, blueberries, and cherries. Cottage cheese is a good source of vitamin B12, and selenium.
- Protein packed: An 8 ounce serving contains about 28g of protein.
- Easy recipe: It's a hassle-free snack with minimal preparation. It can be whipped up in minutes. It’s perfect as a healthy snack that doesn’t require much effort.
- Versatile: This recipe allows for endless variations and personalization. You can also experiment with different fruits and sauces.
Best fruit with cottage cheese
This is a matter of personal preference, of course. Choose sweet fruits and consider texture to create contrast:
- Berries: Juicy and bright! Mix cherries, blueberries, gooseberries, blackberries, and strawberries. Whichever fruits are in season and available to you.
- Tropical Fruits: Try juicy mangoes, pineapple, and slices of fresh coconut.
- Citrus fruits: Regular or mandarin oranges are delicious with cottage cheese.
- Stone fruits: Peaches, nectarines, and plums! So good and has a lovely contrasting texture.
- Grapes: Seedless for efficiency. Try green, purple, or red.
- Apples: Grated, sliced, or diced. Green or red, so long as they are crunchy and sweet.
- Banana: Slices of creamy banana won’t contrast the cottage cheese, but they will add to the creamy taste experience. If you aren’t a major fan of the taste of cottage cheese, mixing some mashed banana through will help you acclimate to the taste.
- Figs and pomegranates: For a pretty red and purple (or green figs, of course) contrast.
- Fruit Mix: Try this Breakfast Fruit Salad as another topping option.
Ingredients & substitution notes
- Cottage cheese: Choose a high-quality cottage cheese with a chunky texture. You can use low-fat or full-fat in this recipe. Ricotta cheese is a lovely alternative.
- Blueberries: Pick lovely, firm, plump berries that are dark blue. Don’t forget to wash them and choose organic if possible.
- Strawberries: Choose ripe strawberries that are bright red and free from any signs of mold or bruising. Wash strawberries well (especially if they aren’t organic). Give their skins a gentle scrub.
- Blackberries: Choose glowy, glossy blackberries.
- Whole cherries: Use sweet or tart cherries as you like.
- Orange juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice is ideal in this sauce. You’ll need the juice from 1 orange.
- Lime juice: This adds a lovely citrusy and tart taste to the recipe. Fresh lemon juice is a great alternative.
- Maple syrup: Choose pure maple syrup rather than artificial or flavored syrups. Agave nectar and raw honey are good substitutes.
- Vanilla extract: Use pure vanilla extract and avoid imitation vanilla. The flavor gives the dish a luxurious taste.
- Mint leaves: Choose fresh mint, not dried. Lemon balm makes a lovely alternative.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make cottage cheese with fruit
STEP 1: Whisk together the sauce ingredients in a jar or small bowl. Set aside.
STEP 2: Wash and prepare the fruits and fresh berries. Then place them into a bowl and pour over half of the sauce; reserve the rest. Stir everything together to coat the fruit in the sauce. Set aside.
STEP 3: Scoop the cottage cheese into a serving bowl or dish.
STEP 4: Spoon over the fruit. Pour over the remaining sauce and mint leaves and top with your favorite toppings.
Top tips
- Use ripe fruit: For the best flavor and texture, use firm but ripe and ready fruits.
- Use seasonal fruits: This is when the fruits are at their best and haven’t had to travel from far and wide to reach you.
- Use organic fruits if possible: To limit your pesticide and chemical exposure and for the tastiest fruits.
- Add some crunch: Texture and contrast is key in this dish. Check out the topping ideas below for my suggestions.
- Rotate your fruits: To keep the recipe interesting, switch up the fruits you choose now and then.
More cottage cheese toppings
- Nuts & seeds: Lightly toast the seeds for extra flavor and crunch.
- Unsweetened crunchy granola: Try my Applesauce Granola!
- Spices: A dash of cinnamon or nutmeg.
- Chocolate chips or cocoa nibs: Mix these with a few nuts for a delicious mix.
- Dried fruit: For added fruitiness and dietary fiber.
Variations
- Dairy-free/ vegan: Finding vegan cottage cheese in stores can be tough but you could try this amazing Vegan Cottage Cheese recipe instead!
- Sugar-free: Skip the maple syrup and enjoy the natural sweetness from the fresh fruit and orange juice.
- Low-fat: low-fat cottage cheese for a lighter option.
- Whip the cottage cheese: With maple syrup in a food processor to get a smoother consistency.
- Winter-warmer: Stew the berries and fruit in the sauce, add a little cinnamon stick, and top with a sprinkle of masala chai spice.
Serving suggestions
- As is
- Over toast: Toast a slice of your favorite bread or serve it on French toast!
- Over a waffle: Build the cottage cheese with a fruit recipe on top of a toasted, golden waffle base.
- As a filling for a crepe: Make a batch of crepes and, fill them with the cottage cheese, fruit, and drizzle over a little of the sauce to serve.
- Layered in a jar: Make an on-the-go version by layering the elements in mason jars. Great as the perfect snack.
- As a pancake topping
Pairing
These are my favorite drinks to serve with this recipe:
Storage
- To store: Cottage cheese with fruit is best served immediately. If there are leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Note that the orange sauce may leech into the cottage cheese and cause it to split a little.
FAQ
Yes, but thaw and drain any excess liquid, the texture will be different though.
Yes, but stick to unsweetened canned fruit.
Chunky, thick cottage cheese is perfect in this recipe, but you can use low-fat cottage cheese, too.
Related recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
📖 Recipe
Cottage Cheese with Fruits
Equipment
- 1 knife
- 1 cutting board
Ingredients
- 16 oz cottage cheese
- ½ cup fresh strawberries
- ½ cup fresh blueberries
- ½ fresh blackberries
- ½ cup whole cherries
Sauce
- 4 tablespoon fresh orange juice (around ½ orange)
- juice of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
Dressing
- Add all the sauce ingredients to a small jar and whisk until well combined. Set aside.
Fruits
- Wash your fruits under cold water to ensure that they are clean.
- Next, pit the cherries using a cherry pitter or a knife.
- Add all the fruits to a small bowl. Pour half of the sauce over the fruits then gently toss to combine. Reserve the other half.
Assemble
- Spoon the cottage cheese out of the package into a serving bowl (8oz per seving)
- Taste and adjust sweetness. For a sweeter bowl, add more maple syrup.
- Top with the fruits, fresh mint leaves (optional), the remaining sauce and some granola or nuts and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Use ripe fruit: For the best flavor and texture, use firm but ripe and ready fruits.
- Use seasonal fruits: This is when the fruits are at their best.
- Use organic fruits if possible: To limit your pesticide and chemical exposure and for the tastiest fruits.
- Add some crunch: Texture and contrast is key in this dish. Check out the topping ideas above for my suggestions.
- Rotate your fruits: To keep the recipe interesting, switch up the fruit.
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