HIGH-PROTEIN BREAKFASTS · NO-COOK
Cottage cheese overnight oats get their protein from real food, not powder. Blended cottage cheese, milk, rolled oats and chia seeds soak overnight into a thick, creamy, cheesecake-like breakfast. Two jars take five minutes to mix.
Jump to Recipe
- Serves
- 2 jars
- Prep time
- 5 minutes
- Chill
- At least 6 hours
- Protein
- About 21 g per jar
- Keeps
- 4 days refrigerated
Why You’ll Love This Overnight Oats
- No protein powder. Cottage cheese adds about 12 g of protein to each jar.
- Creamy, not gluey. Blending the cottage cheese gives a smooth, cheesecake-like texture.
- Grab and go. Make up to four days of breakfasts at once.
Ingredient Notes
Use old-fashioned rolled oats. Quick oats turn mushy and steel-cut oats stay too firm without cooking.
Blend the cottage cheese with the milk for a smooth texture. If you like texture, stir it in unblended.
Chia seeds thicken the oats and add fiber. Leave them out and use 2 tablespoons less milk if you prefer.
The recipe card below lists every quantity in one place.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats
Blend and stir
Blend the cottage cheese, milk, honey and vanilla, then stir in the oats, chia seeds and a pinch of salt.
Chill overnight and top
Divide into two jars, cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours. Top with berries in the morning.
Photos in this article are AI-generated illustrations of the recipe, created for AllRecipeEasy.
Tips and Troubleshooting
- Give it 6 hours. Oats need time to soften completely. Overnight is best.
- Loosen in the morning. Stir in a splash of milk if it is thicker than you like.
- Add fruit later. Fresh berries stay brightest when added the morning you eat it.
Substitutions and Variations
- Flavors: Stir in 1 tablespoon cocoa powder for chocolate, or ½ teaspoon cinnamon and diced apple for apple pie.
- Sweetener: Maple syrup works in place of honey. For no added sugar, mash half a ripe banana into the base.
- Milk: Any milk works. Unsweetened soy milk keeps the protein highest of the dairy-free options.
- Warm: Microwave a jar (without the lid) for 1 to 1½ minutes, stirring halfway, for a warm bowl.
Budget Tips
Rolled oats are one of the cheapest breakfasts there is, and cottage cheese costs less per gram of protein than most protein powders. Buy frozen berries for toppings; they thaw in the jar overnight.
Serving Suggestions
Top with berries, sliced banana, a spoonful of peanut butter or a sprinkle of granola. For a warm cottage cheese breakfast, try the baked blueberry cottage cheese breakfast bowls or the cottage cheese egg bake. You can find more ideas in our breakfast recipes.
Storage, Reheating and Meal Prep
Keep the jars covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Add fresh fruit the day you eat them. Do not freeze; the cottage cheese texture changes when thawed.
Food safety: Keep overnight oats refrigerated at 40°F / 4°C or below, and do not leave them at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Recipe Questions
Can you put cottage cheese in overnight oats?
Yes. It makes them creamier and adds about 12 g of protein per jar. Blend it with the milk for a smooth texture.
Do you have to blend the cottage cheese?
No. Blending makes them taste like cheesecake. Unblended curds are fine if you do not mind the texture.
How long do cottage cheese overnight oats last?
Up to 4 days in the refrigerator, covered.
How much protein is in cottage cheese overnight oats?
About 21 g per jar in this recipe, without any protein powder.
Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats
Ingredients
Method
- Blend the cottage cheese, milk, honey and vanilla until smooth, about 30 seconds.
- Pour into a bowl and stir in the oats, chia seeds and salt until evenly combined.
- Divide between two jars or containers, cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Stir, loosen with a splash of milk if needed, and top with berries before serving.