Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

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You only need 4 simple ingredients to make this viral cottage cheese ice cream! It’s super creamy, thick and packed with over 20 grams of protein!

Cottage cheese ice cream has gone completely viral thanks to Lainie Cooks on TikTok. I shared a version on Instagram and after seeing so many of you make (and love it), I knew I had to get the recipe up on the blog!

There are many different variations out there, but the base is just 2 simple ingredients: cottage cheese and honey! The version I’m sharing also has peanut butter and chocolate chips and the combo is seriously so good.

Scoops of cottage cheese ice cream in a bowl served with a spoon.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • It’s a high-protein dessert or snack that’s packed with over 20 grams of protein per serving!
  • It comes together quickly with just 4 simple ingredients!
  • No ice cream maker required!
  • Can easily be customized to make your favorite ice cream flavor.
Ingredients for cottage cheese ice cream: honey, cottage cheese, chocolate chips and peanut butter.

Ingredients Needed

  • cottage cheese – the key component of this recipe, providing a creamy texture and rich flavor with plenty of protein. I used full-fat Good Culture cottage cheese, but low-fat will work as well. Full fat will definitely be creamier though!
  • honey – for the sweetener we’re using honey, which I think pairs nicely with the cottage cheese. Feel free to swap the honey with maple syrup or your preferred liquid sweetener.
  • peanut butter – brings a nutty flavor and adds a touch more protein to this recipe! I like the flavor combo of peanut butter, honey and cottage cheese, but if you have a peanut allergy or aren’t a fan of peanut butter feel free to use almond butter or any nut/seed butter of choice.
  • chocolate chips – a delicious addition that adds some crunch and chocolatey goodness to the ice cream. I like to use Lily’s dark chocolate chips because they are sweetened with stevia and low in sugar.
Blended cottage cheese ice cream in a food processor.

How to Make

Blend: Add cottage cheese, honey and peanut butter to a food processor or high-speed blender and pulse/process until smooth and creamy. Stir in chocolate chips.

Freeze: Add cottage cheese ice cream mixture back into the cottage cheese container or to a loaf pan and place in the freezer for about 4 hours, or until hard.

Serve: Remove from the freezer and let thaw for 5-10 minutes, just until you can easily scoop it. Use an ice cream scoop to scoop into bowls and enjoy.

Scoops of cottage cheese ice cream in a bowl served with a spoon.

How to Serve

  • In a bowl or cone: Scoop the ice cream into a bowl or an ice cream cone and enjoy it as you would with any other ice cream.
  • Toppings: Get creative with your favorite toppings, such as fresh fruit, chopped nuts, granola, or a drizzle of honey or chocolate sauce. See some more ideas below!
  • Parfait-style: Layer the ice cream with fresh fruit, yogurt, or whipped cream for a delicious and visually appealing treat.
  • Sandwich: Place a scoop of the ice cream between two cookies or waffles for a fun and satisfying dessert.
Ice cream scoop scooping cottage cheese ice cream from loaf pan.

Flavor Variations

There are so many ways to get creative with this cottage cheese ice cream and create different flavors. Here are some ideas to get you started.

  • Chocolate: Add in 1/2-1 Tablespoon cacao powder or cocoa powder plus the chocolate chips or cacao nibs for a chocolatey treat!
  • Fruity: Blend in your favorite frozen fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries, bananas, mango or peaches for a fruity twist. You could also add a swirl of your favorite jam or this strawberry chia jam!
  • Nutty: Swap the chocolate chips for chopped nuts like almonds, pecans, walnuts or pistachios.
  • Spiced: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom or pumpkin pie spice for a warm and comforting taste.
  • Coffee: Mix in a shot of espresso or a spoonful of instant coffee powder for a delightful coffee-flavored ice cream.
  • Vanilla: Add vanilla bean paste from 1/2 – 1 vanilla bean pod or vanilla extract for vanilla goodness.
  • Strawberry cheesecake: Add some frozen or fresh strawberries and crushed graham crackers for a delicious strawberry cheesecake combo!
Ice cream scoop scooping cottage cheese ice cream from loaf pan.

How to Store

In the freezer: Transfer the cottage cheese ice cream to an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Be sure to cover the surface with a piece of plastic wrap before sealing the container to prevent ice crystals from forming.

Thawing: Allow the ice cream to sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes before scooping and serving. This will make it easier to scoop and provide a creamier texture.

FAQ’s

What type of cottage cheese is best to use?

The type of cottage cheese you use is up to personal preference. 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 Nancy’s. I also like Friendship Diaries no salt added, small curd 1% cottage cheese (in the red container). Cottage cheese tends to be really high in sodium so I like that this variety is a little lower than your typical brands. Unfortunately, this brand isn’t organic.

Is cottage cheese ice cream healthy?

You better believe it! This ice cream is made with minimal, good-for-you ingredients and has no refined sugar or artificial preservatives. It has more fiber and less sugar than traditional ice cream but is still absolutely delicious.

With 22 grams of protein per serving it can help balance your blood sugar and leave you feeling satisfied instead of hungry for more. If you’re someone like me who could easily eat a whole pint of ice cream in one sitting, this recipe is definitely for you.

More Ice Cream Recipes

More Frozen Treats

Be sure to check out all of the cottage cheese recipes as well as the full collection of dessert recipes on EBF!

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4.96 from 168 votes

Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

You only need 4 simple ingredients to make this viral cottage cheese ice cream! It's super creamy, thick and packed with over 20 grams of protein!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Freeze Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 3

Ingredients  

  • 2 cups (16 oz) full fat cottage cheese, I used Good Culture
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 Tablespoons peanut butter
  • 2 Tablespoons chocolate chips

Instructions 

  • Add cottage cheese, honey and peanut butter to a food processor or high powered blender and pulse/process until smooth and creamy.
    Blended cottage cheese ice cream in a food processor.
  • Stir in chocolate chips.
    Chocolate chips being added to blended cottage cheese ice cream in a food processor.
  • Add mixture back into the cottage cheese container or a loaf pan and place in the freezer for about 4 hours, or until hard.
    Frozen cottage cheese ice cream in a loaf pan.
  • Remove from the freezer, let thaw for 5-10 minutes, just until you can easily scoop it. Use an ice cream scoop to scoop into bowls and enjoy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/3 recipe | Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 483mg | Potassium: 107mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 27g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cottage cheese ice cream
Did you make this recipe?Mention @eatingbirdfood and tag #eatingbirdfood!

About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

More about Brittany
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74 Comments

  1. This didn’t work for me. I got an icy lump that I tried to blend and then it was like a snow cone, not creamy. I wonder where I went wrong .

    1. Hi Regan – So sorry to hear this recipe didn’t turn out the way you hoped. Did you change anything about the recipe?

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