Cottage Cheese Cookies
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These high protein cottage cheese cookies are soft, chewy and made with only 7 ingredients. They’re gluten-free, egg-free, low sugar and have 8 grams of protein per cookie.
Get ready for your new cookie obsession… cottage cheese cookies!
Yes, you heard right… we’re making chocolate chip cookies with cottage cheese. And guess what? You can’t even taste the cottage cheese. Even Isaac (who isn’t a cottage cheese fan) loves them!
This recipe came together after I tried Jake Cohen’s amazing edible cottage cheese cookie dough. I wanted to create a recipe that could not only be enjoyed straight up as cookie dough but also as cookies. After some recipe tweaking and about 10 batches, I’m excited to be sharing this recipe with you today!
Why You’ll Love These Cookies
- There are 8 grams of protein per cookie thanks to the cottage cheese and protein powder.
- They’re low in sugar and naturally sweetened with maple syrup.
- Kid-friendly and adult-approved. We all gobbled these cookies up, including Olivia.
- Super easy to make – no complicated steps involved! Simply blend, mix and bake.
- You only need 7 simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
- They’re gluten-free, grain-free and egg-free.
Ingredients Needed
- cottage cheese – the star ingredient in these cookies! Cottage cheese makes the cookies nice and moist and adds a boost of protein. I used whole milk Good Culture cottage cheese, which is 4% milkfat and small curd. I recommend using 4% milkfat cottage cheese for the best results. And because cottage cheese has a higher sodium content there’s so need for added salt in this recipe.
- maple syrup – my favorite natural sweetener, giving the cookies a nice, subtle maple flavor.
- vanilla extract – a nice flavor enhancer.
- almond flour – a nutrient-dense flour that’s grain-free and gluten-free. It’s also what makes these cookies soft and chewy. One thing to note is that you can’t simply swap almond flour for all-purpose flour at a 1:1 ratio. Almond flour is just ground almond, which has totally different consistency (and fat/protein level) than traditional flour. My favorite brand is Bob’s Red Mill super fine almond flour.
- coconut oil – helps keep the cookies moist.
- vanilla protein powder – adds more protein and vanilla flavor to these cookies. I tested these cookies with both Nuzest protein powder (use code eatingbirdfood for 15% off your order) and Sun Warrior Vanilla Warrior Blend and both batches turned out great.
- chocolate chips – I used Lily’s dark chocolate chips because they are sweetened with stevia and low in sugar, but you can use any brand you prefer.
How to Make
This cottage cheese cookie recipe is pretty straight-forward and easy to make!
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a blender, add the cottage cheese, maple syrup and vanilla and blend on high until smooth.
In a medium mixing bowl combine the almond flour and protein powder. Then add the coconut oil and cottage cheese mixture and stir until combined. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
Scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet using a medium cookie scoop and use your hands to flatten the cookies just a bit so they’re in a cookie shape. You can also roll the cookie dough into a ball and then use your hand to flatten for a more uniform shape.
Top the cookies with a few more chocolate chips and bake for about 15-16 minutes or until the bottom of the cookies are golden brown. Let cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Enjoy!
Why Was my Batter Runny/Why Did my Cookies Turn Out Flat?
There could be a few reasons why your cookies turned out flat or why your batter seemed to be super runny. First, it could have been the type of protein powder you used. Not all protein powders are created equally and some are more absorbent than others. Second, it could have been the type of cottage cheese you used. Some brands are more liquidy than others. I used both Good Culture and Trader Joe’s small curd 4% milkfat cottage cheese and didn’t have any issues with either of them.
If you notice that your dough seems pretty liquidy after mixing everything together, you could try adding 1/4-1/2 cup more almond flour to the dough to see if that helps. I did test this recipe with 2 cups almond flour and 1/4 cup protein powder and it turned out just fine for me.
Substitutions & Notes
- Sweetener: I haven’t tried it, but you should be able to swap the maple syrup with another liquid sweetener of choice like honey or agave.
- Flour: I’ve only tested this recipe with oat flour and it didn’t turn out that great as oat flour is much drier than almond flour, so I wouldn’t recommend using oat flour. I haven’t tried it, but coconut flour might work as a substitute, you probably just wouldn’t need as much flour because coconut flour is super absorbent and can’t be subbed 1:1 with other flours.
- Protein powder: If you don’t have protein powder on hand or just aren’t a fan you could try replacing some of the protein powder with more almond flour. I haven’t tried it, but I would start with 2 cups of almond flour if you are skipping the protein powder.
- Oil: If you don’t have coconut oil, melted butter or another neutral oil like olive oil or avocado oil can be used instead.
How to Store
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, place them in the refrigerator for about a week.
You could also freeze them for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before enjoying!
FAQ’s
Totally! They’re low in sugar, have no artificial ingredients and one cookie is packed with 8 grams of protein each, so they’re definitely healthy in my book!
The type of cottage cheese you use is up to personal preference or what you have available in your grocery stores. I personally like to use organic dairy products free from antibiotics and hormones (like rbST). If you’re looking for good organic cottage cheese brands I recommend Good Culture, Organic Valley and Kalona SuperNatural. I also tested this recipe with Trader Joe’s full-fat cottage cheese.
I recommend using a plant-based protein powder with minimal ingredients. I tested both Sun Warrior and Nuzest protein powder and both worked great. Neither of them have a chalky taste and the ingredient list is minimal. You really can’t taste the protein powder in these cookies at all and they have a great texture! I haven’t tested these cookies with a whey protein or hemp protein blend so I’m not sure if the consistency would change at all. Let me know if you try any of these options in the comments below!
Unfortunately, I don’t recommend swapping the almond flour for another flour as it’ll likely change the consistency and texture of these cookies. I tested these cookies with oat flour and they turned out dry and didn’t have the best texture. I am curious to see how coconut flour works, but I haven’t tested it yet.
Since cottage cheese is the main ingredient in this cookie recipe, there isn’t a good substitute for it. Greek yogurt might work, but I’m not sure how the consistency or flavor of these cookies will be.
Unfortunately not since cottage cheese is made with dairy. If you’re looking for a vegan protein cookie recipe you could make these protein cookies instead.
I haven’t tested it, but I bet you can sub the protein powder with more almond flour. I would test it with 2 cups almond flour if you skip the protein powder, but again I haven’t tried it so am not 100% sure how the cookies will turn out.
Items Used to Make These Cookies
Bob’s Red Mill Almond Flour (32 oz, 2 Pack)
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Williams Sonoma Goldtouch® Pro Nonstick Corrugated Cookie Sheet
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Williams Sonoma Silicone Wood Spoonula
Buy Now →More Cottage Cheese Recipes
- Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough
- Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
- Frozen Cottage Cheese Bark
- Cottage Cheese Pancakes
- Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse
- Cottage Cheese Brownies
Be sure to check out all of the cottage cheese recipes and the full collection of cookie recipes here on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Cottage Cheese Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup 4% milkfat cottage cheese, I used whole milk Good Culture cottage cheese
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup (106 grams) lightly packed almond flour
- 2 Tablespoons melted coconut oil
- ½ cup (53 grams) vanilla protein powder, I recommend using a plant-based protein
- ½ cup chocolate chips, plus more for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a blender, add the cottage cheese, maple syrup and vanilla. Blend on high until smooth.
- In a mixing bowl combine almond flour and protein powder. Add the coconut oil and cottage cheese mixture. Stir until combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Scoop dough onto a prepared baking sheet using a medium cookie scoop and use your hands to flatten the cookies just a bit so they’re in a cookie shape. You can also roll the cookie dough into a ball and then use your hand to flatter for a more uniform shape. Add a couple more chocolate chips on top of each cookie.
- Bake for about 15-16 minutes or until the bottom of the cookies are golden brown. Let cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet then transfer to wire cooling racks to cool completely. Enjoy!
Notes
- Measuring: I highly recommend measuring your almond flour and protein powder with a food scale to make sure you’re using the correct amount. This will ensure your cookies turn out!
- Protein powder: It is key to use a plant-based protein powder for this recipe. It soaks up more moisture than other protein powders (especially whey). If you use whey, your dough will be too wet.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Equipment
Like This Recipe? Rate & Comment Below!
Initially they were too runny and not getting a gold touch on them after 20 minutes and I realized they were too runny so I flipped them like pancakes and baked for another 5 and they were totally perfect
Oh no! So sorry to hear they were runny, but I’m glad you were able to save them and they turned out well! Thanks for making this recipe and coming back to leave a star rating. I so appreciate it!
What can I substitute for protein powder? I try to avoid it. Thank you!
You could sub 1:1 with additional almond flour. Enjoy!
Really good!! only change for me was I used peanut butter flavored protein powder and about half cup extra almond flour. very tasty, soft and chewy. Definitely will be making again.
Sounds amazing, Lisa. I am so glad you loved this recipe and these cookies turned out amazing for you. Thank you for sharing your review & star rating, it means so much to me!
No… not for me. Would rather sacrifice all the calories for a real cookie haha! Sorry!
No worries, Marie. This recipe isn’t for everyone, thanks for your feedback!
SOOO good! These are probably my favorite healthy dessert I’ve ever made (and I’ve tried a lot). Will be making again!
YAY! I am so glad you are loving these cookies, Lora. Thank you for sharing your review + star rating, it means so much to me!
These cookies are delicious and not too sweet!
YUM! I am so glad you are loving these cookies, Heather. Thank you for sharing your review & star rating, it means so much to me!
These cookies are so good! I can’t stop making them! What is the best way to store them and keep them fresh? I’ve been storing in the fridge but not sure if that’s necessary.
Hi Gina! I am so happy to hear you are loving these cookies. They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, place them in the refrigerator for about a week. Thanks so much for sharing your review, it means so much to me!
These are awesome, even my 5yr old was loving them! I added a little baking soda and some flour because it seemed a little liquidy.
YAY! I am so glad these are a hit for you and your 5 year old. Thanks for giving them a try and sharing your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
Easy and delicious. My toddler loved them.
Yay! I am so glad your little on is loving these, Melissa. Thank you for taking your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
Soft, chewy and DRY. Didn’t work for me.
Hi Joe. I am so sorry to hear these turned out dry for you, did you change anything about the recipe?
Followed the recipe exactly, but they came out extremely thin with a grainy texture. Maybe it was the protein powder I used?? Isopure vanilla protein powder. I might make it again, but with oat flour or regular flour.
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear that Belinda. I need to look up the Isopure vanilla protein powder. I’m assuming it’s whey protein though and that might have affected things. The other thing is the type of cottage cheese. Some are more thick/drier than others. What brand did you use?
Hi, I used signature select 2%
What can I substitute for almond flour & coconut oil? Husband is allergic to all nuts except peanut!
Hi Liz! Great question, I am working on testing these with other flours, so once I get those results, I will let you know!
M husband is allergic to tree nuts. How can I substitute the almond flour ?
Hi Natasha! I need to test this recipe with another flour. I bet coconut flour would work, but you’d need to adjust the liquid and I am not sure by how much. I will let you know once I give them a try!
I just made these for the first time, and I’m not sure what I think. The flavor is good. I don’t think the cookies are done enough, despite baking them double the amount of time in the recipe. I used agave syrup instead of maple syrup. I did use vegan vanilla protein powder, but I did not measure the ingredients with a scale. The dough was unbelievably sticky – made such a mess when trying to form the cookies and put on the sheet. After being refrigerated for a bit, the dough would probably make really good edible chocolate chip cookie dough! I may try the recipe again, weighing the ingredients to see if it works better.
Hi Amie! Thanks for sharing your feedback. The dough is not supposed to be sticky at all. It is supposed to be cookie dough consistency. What % cc did you use?
I just made this recipe with a lot of modifications -whey protein, Kodiak cake mix etc. they baked just fine with less time than listed. It works with other flours. I did 1.25c Kodiak cakes mix instead of the flour listed
Thanks so much for sharing this feedback, Emily! I am glad they turned out for you. I really appreciate it!