Cottage Cheese Protein Pancakes are delicious and made in just one blender with eggs, banana and oats. They pack 20 grams of protein per serving for a filling wholesome breakfast!

We also love these protein pancakes and peanut butter protein pancakes.

A stack of cottage cheese protein pancakes drizzled with maple syrup and served on a plate with a fork.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • These cottage cheese protein pancakes are delicious and moist. They are not dry at all!
  • Pancakes contain only 6 grams of naturally occuring sugar in banana and 20 grams of protein per serving.
  • You also make them only in one blender just like my cottage cheese waffles.
  • They are flourless.

And pancakes with cottage cheese hit the spot and satisfy the sweet tooth craving. You know that feeling when you crave something sweet and loaded with carbs?! These are perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack.

Ingredients for Cottage Cheese Protein Pancakes

To make cottage cheese protein pancakes recipe, you will need just 7 simple ingredients.

Cottage cheese, protein powder, eggs, oats, banana, baking powder and cinnamon.
  • Eggs: I used 4 large eggs. You can also use 1 cup of egg whites to cut back on fat.
  • Cottage cheese: I use 2% fat cottage cheese. Since this recipe is heavy on eggs, you can also use low-fat cottage cheese.
  • Banana: I defrosted previously frozen over ripened banana because I have a lot of those in my freezer. Since more likely your protein powder is sweetened, you can also use regular yellow banana.
  • Oats: Rolled oats or quick oats are the best. Steel cut oats will not work. Be sure to use certified gluten-free oats for those with celiac disease.
  • Protein powder: It is important to use plant-based protein powder for proper pancake batter consistency. I love to use Vega Sport berry flavor when making protein pancakes with cottage cheese.
  • Cinnamon: Adds a bit of flavor but can be skipped if you use flavorful protein powder.
  • Baking powder: To help pancakes lift and be fluffy.

How to Make Cottage Cheese Protein Pancakes

Here’s a quick overview how to make cottage cheese protein pancakes. Detailed recipe card is located below.

Step is the process how to make cottage cheese protein pancakes batter in a blender and then pan fry.
  • Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Adding liquids first helps for easier blending.
  • Let batter sit for 5 minutes to thicken a bit, so pancakes do not spread too much on a skillet.
  • Preheat large skillet on medium heat and swirl a bit of oil. Add batter and cook pancakes. When you see bubbles on top, it’s time to flip the pancakes.
  • Flip and cook for 1-2 more minutes or until golden brown. Then the protein pancakes are done.

What Do Pancakes Taste Like?

Cottage cheese protein pancakes do not taste like cottage cheese. So, if you don’t love cottage cheese, don’t worry, you will not notice it. I say that pancakes will taste more like the protein powder you use.

That’s why I recommend to use protein powder that you love. I love Vega Sport berry flavor and Orgain chocolate protein powders. You can also use plain plant-based protein like pea or brown rice one. Banana should help to give it sweetness and flavor.

Also keep in mind these pancakes are not tall and fluffy but rather more moist. But they are delicious!

A stack of cottage cheese pancakes cut into and showing texture inside.

Tips for Best Results

  • Batter will thicken: First, it will thicken within first 5 minutes of blending. And then it will thicken even more as you are cooking pancakes. If you’re having trouble to release the batter from a measuring cup, use a small silicone spatula to help.
  • Reduce heat as you go: Skillet will get hotter with cook time, so bring the temperature lower to avoid burning the pancakes.
  • Do not try to lift the pancakes and peek underneath: It breaks the seal and is not a proper pancake cooking technique.
  • Use good skillet: Make sure your pan is truly non-stick and preferably PFOA free.
  • If using plain protein powder: Add a dash of pure vanilla extract to add flavor.

Toppings Ideas

The most fun part is to dress the pancakes up. Seriously go for whatever you feel like. When it comes to protein pancakes, I like to add some cottage cheese on top.

When I’m not on a quest to see the abs, this is exactly the way I would eat my pancakes – with some organic maple syrup, sliced bananas and nuts.

Here are a few more toppings ideas:

  • Fresh or frozen berries
  • Chocolate chips
  • Honey and butter
  • Nut butter
  • A dollop of yogurt for an extra boost of protein.

How to Store and Reheat

These high protein cottage cheese pancakes are refrigerator and freezer friendly, which makes them perfect for meal prep.

Keep warm: First of all, to keep freshly cooked pancakes warm, preheat oven or warming drawer to 200 F, place pancakes into an oven safe dish as you cook them, and keep warm for a few hours.

Store or freeze: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. You could also prepare a batter a day in advance, refrigerate and make the pancakes the next day.

Reheat: To reheat pancakes, pop them in a microwave or toaster. To be honest, they taste great cold too!

FAQs

Can I skip protein powder?

Unfortunately not. This pancake recipe uses substantial amount of protein powder to give the pancake batter proper consistency.

Can I use whey protein powder?

Unfortunately not. Whey protein powder acts very differently from plant-based protein powder. Your pancake batter will turn out very thin and will not hold its shape on a skillet.

Are protein pancakes healthy?

Protein pancakes are higher in protein than regular pancakes. Containing fat and carbs at same time. Therefore, you may require less food to keep you full longer.

Can I make these in a food processor?

Yes, you can make cottage cheese protein pancakes in a food processor. Keep in mind their texture will be more gritty and less smooth.

More Cottage Cheese Recipes

Check out all of our cottage cheese recipes!

More Pancake Recipes to Try

Looking down on a stack of cottage cheese protein pancakes served on a plate with syrup.
A stack of cottage cheese protein pancakes drizzled with maple syrup and served on a plate with a fork.

Cottage Cheese Protein Pancakes

Cottage Cheese Protein Pancakes are delicious and made in one blender with eggs, banana and oats. They pack 20 grams of protein per serving.
4.64 from 11 votes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 324
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • In a high speed blender, add eggs, cottage cheese, banana, oats, protein powder, baking powder and cinnamon. Process until smooth and let batter sit for 5 minutes to thicken a bit.
  • Preheat large skillet on medium heat and swirl a bit of oil to coat. Pour 1/4 cup pancake batter on a skillet, cook for 2-3 minutes or until you see bubbles on top and golden edges appear. Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Repeat with remaining batter.
  • Serve pancakes hot with some fruit, nuts, Greek yogurt or cottage cheese.

Notes

  • Store: Refrigerate leftovers in airtight container for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze: For up to 3 months. Thaw on a counter for 1-2 hours.

Nutrition

Serving: 3pancakes | Calories: 324kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 210mg | Sodium: 366mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: North American
Author: Olena Osipov
Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!

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About Olena

Welcome! I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with simple ingredients. I have spent the last 11 years making it my mission to help you cook quick and easy meals for your family!

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Comments

  1. Hello! These pancakes look great however I can’t eat oats or banana. I’m wondering what the purpose of each is (so I can attempt a substitute) or if you can suggest a substitute? Thank you!

  2. Hi Olena, I happen to come across a recipe of yours through the Yummly app and have ventured over to your blog to check out more of your recipes. With this recipe, what would you recommend for a cottage cheese substitute? We do not eat dairy in our household.

    1. 5 stars
      Lactaid makes cottage cheese for us lactose intolerant folks! It would be in the cottage cheese section as well. I’ve been using this to make my pancakes and still turns out DELISH!

  3. Hi Olena,
    I have been making protein pancakes before but I have never incorporate protein powder, nor have cooked with it. I have vanilla whey isoflex in the house instead of the one you used in this recipe. Could you please post it if you have it handy?
    Thanks Alot!

  4. Hi, I was wondering if you could use yogurt or sour cream instead of cottage cheese. Maybe add some baking powder if needed. Thanks

    1. Hi Debbie. Hmm, I haven’t tried that in this particular recipe, so I don’t know how the consistency will change. I know cottage cheese is quite thicker than yogurt, especially once blended greek yogurt becomes really thin. I haven’t cooked with sour cream for years because usually it has so many additives. Also I have this 4 Ingredient Protein Oatmeal Pancake with yogurt but it has to be made with whey protein powder. Hope this helps.

  5. 5 stars
    Hi Olena, just stumbled upon your website through Instagram and wanted to say it all the recipes look so tasty, and most importantly easy! That’s a must for a busy body like me.

4.64 from 11 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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