Cottage Cheese Smoothie: Creamy, High Protein & Surprisingly Delicious

Why I Love This Cottage Cheese Smoothie

I still remember the first time I blended cottage cheese into a smoothie—it was a total experiment. I was in my Brooklyn kitchen with Charlie (my rescue pup) at my feet, craving something sweet but protein-packed. I had some leftover raspberries and a tub of full-fat cottage cheese in the fridge. I tossed them into the blender with half a frozen banana and a splash of almond milk… and wow. One sip, and I was hooked.

This cottage cheese smoothie instantly reminded me of raspberry cheesecake—thick, creamy, and just sweet enough. But what really blew my mind? The fact that it had over 17 grams of protein without a scoop of powder. I’m not always a fan of protein powder—it can feel chalky or artificial. But this? It was smooth, natural, and incredibly satisfying.

As someone who develops cottage cheese recipes regularly, I love finding new, unexpected ways to use this powerhouse ingredient. This smoothie has quickly become one of my go-to high protein snacks, and I’ve even turned it into a post-workout refuel by pairing it with one of my keto cottage cheese bagels or a slice of keto cottage cheese bread.

The best part? It’s as easy as it gets. No fancy ingredients. No prep. Just five minutes to a creamy smoothie that tastes like dessert and fuels your day like a pro.

Step-by-Step – How to Make This Creamy Smoothie

You don’t need anything fancy to make this cottage cheese smoothie—just a good blender and a few ingredients you likely already have in your fridge or freezer. It comes together in under five minutes and tastes like something you’d get from a boutique smoothie bar.

Gather your ingredients

Start with the essentials:

1. 1/2 cup full-fat cottage cheese (for creaminess and protein)
2. 1/2 frozen banana (natural sweetness and texture)
3. 1/2 cup frozen raspberries (for a tart, fruity kick)
4. 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice)
5. 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for added sweetness)

I love using frozen fruit here—it gives the smoothie a thick, frosty texture without needing ice. But you can absolutely swap in fresh raspberries and simply add a few ice cubes if you prefer. For those avoiding protein powders, this is a fantastic smoothie without protein powder that still delivers over 17 grams of natural protein.

Blend it like a pro

Add all the ingredients to your blender and blend on high until smooth. If the smoothie is too thick, add a splash more almond milk. Too thin? Toss in a few ice cubes and blend again. The cottage cheese will blend completely smooth—yes, really! You’ll be left with a creamy smoothie that’s rich, satisfying, and full of flavor.

If you love experimenting with high protein smoothies, try pairing this with my keto cottage cheese egg pizza crust or snack on some air fryer cottage cheese chips while sipping. Cottage cheese is endlessly versatile!

Ways to Serve & Customize This Smoothie

One of the best things about this cottage cheese smoothie is how flexible it is. Sure, it’s delicious straight from the blender, but there are so many ways to make it your own—whether you want to lean into the dessert vibes or keep it extra light and fruity.

Like a raspberry cheesecake in a glass

With the combination of cottage cheese, banana, and raspberries, this smoothie tastes remarkably like a raspberry cheesecake. To really drive that home, I sometimes sprinkle crushed graham crackers or granola on top, or swirl in a spoonful of Greek yogurt for added tang. A dollop of raspberry jam, like my strawberry freezer jam, adds a bright, juicy note that pairs beautifully with the creamy base.

You can even turn this into a smoothie without protein powder that’s decadent enough to pass for dessert—but with none of the guilt.

Sweet or tart, fresh or frozen

While I usually use frozen fruit for convenience and texture, this recipe works just as well with fresh raspberries. If you go the fresh route, just add a few ice cubes to chill and thicken things up. Not a fan of almond milk? No problem. This creamy smoothie works just as well with oat milk, dairy milk, or even coconut milk if you want a tropical twist.

I often rotate in fruits like mango, pineapple, or blueberries depending on what’s in season. For a beautiful green version, a handful of spinach blends right in and pairs surprisingly well with raspberries. And if you’re into unique flavor combos, give this a sip alongside a strawberry matcha latte for a vibrant, fruity breakfast duo.

Variations to Try

One of my favorite things about this cottage cheese smoothie is how it’s never boring. Once I got the basic blend down, I started having fun mixing in whatever I had on hand—and honestly, that’s when things got exciting.

On hot days, I love going tropical. I swap out the raspberries for frozen mango and a few pineapple chunks, then use coconut milk instead of almond milk. It transforms the smoothie into something you’d want to sip on a beach. Other mornings, especially when I’m craving something sweet but still trying to eat smart, I’ll add a little cocoa powder and go for a banana-chocolate combo. It’s thick, indulgent, and tastes like a chocolate cheesecake—but without the sugar crash.

I’ve made this cottage cheese smoothie dozens of ways, but sometimes my favorite version is the simplest one—blended with berries and poured into a bowl. I top it with sliced bananas, chia seeds, a drizzle of nut butter, or crushed almonds. Paired with a warm keto cottage cheese bagel or a slice of keto cottage cheese bread, it becomes a satisfying breakfast I look forward to.

And for anyone avoiding dairy, I’ve had success using a plant-based cottage cheese or subbing in a thick vegan yogurt. You still get that rich, creamy texture, but the smoothie stays entirely dairy-free. That’s the beauty of this recipe—it’s a smoothie without protein powder that’s high in protein, incredibly creamy, and endlessly flexible.

Of course, the classic raspberry version will always have a place in my heart. But knowing I can tweak this cottage cheese smoothie depending on what I have on hand makes it a staple in my kitchen, and one I keep coming back to.

How to Store It

One of the things I love about this cottage cheese smoothie is that it stores better than most. While I usually enjoy it fresh, there are plenty of times when I’ve made a double batch and saved the rest for later—and it holds up beautifully.

If you’re drinking it within a day, just pour the smoothie into a sealed jar and pop it in the fridge. Your cottage cheese smoothie will stay fresh for about 24 hours. It might separate a little, but that’s normal. A quick stir or shake brings it right back to its creamy, just-blended texture.

Want to store it longer? Freeze it in ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a reusable freezer bag. When you’re ready, blend the cubes with a splash of almond milk or water, and you’ve got a smoothie that’s just as good as the first pour. It’s an easy, waste-free way to enjoy your favorite cottage cheese smoothie on demand.

For an extra treat, try freezing the smoothie in popsicle molds. It turns into a creamy, high-protein snack that feels indulgent but still keeps things balanced. On warm days, I love enjoying one alongside my iced cherry chai latte—it’s a refreshing duo that totally hits the spot.

Keeping a batch of cottage cheese smoothie in the fridge or freezer makes busy mornings and snack cravings way easier. It’s one of those little prep tricks that pays off all week.

Conclusion

If you’ve been on the fence about adding cottage cheese to your smoothie, I hope this recipe convinces you to give it a try. This cottage cheese smoothie is everything I love in a go-to recipe: simple, creamy, high in protein, and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re making it for a quick breakfast, a post-workout snack, or a treat that tastes like raspberry cheesecake, it always delivers.

I’ve made it dozens of times now, and every time I do, I find a new way to tweak it—whether it’s swapping in seasonal fruit or freezing the leftovers into popsicles. That’s what makes it so easy to keep in my routine.

If you loved this recipe, I’d encourage you to check out more of my cottage cheese recipes, like keto cottage cheese bread or air fryer cottage cheese chips. They’re just as simple and satisfying.

Thanks for stopping by my kitchen. I hope this cottage cheese smoothie becomes a staple in yours, too.