Guess what? I finally found cottage cheese in French supermarkets, and I’m beyond excited to share my latest breakfast obsession: Cottage Cheese Waffles.
These aren’t just any waffles; they’re a savoury, high-protein twist on the classic breakfast treat. Perfect for those of us who want to start the day with something healthy and satisfying. Still have a sweet tooth? Just add fruit and maple syrup!
Protein Waffle Recipe with Cottage Cheese
If you love breakfasts in France, you'll appreciate just how sweet its reputation is. A typical petit déjeuner consists of tartines (sliced baguette with butter), fluffy brioche, croissants, and thin French pancakes or crêpes - usually with a huge variety of sweet toppings, mainly jam. Not great for controlling our sugar levels, is it?
French breakfasts are not normally savoury. So, in my quest to make more savoury breakfasts packed with protein, I set about making this healthy protein waffle recipe using cottage cheese.
By using nutrient-rich flours like wholemeal, buckwheat or spelt and topping them with savoury goodies like smoked salmon and avocado, you can turn simple waffles into a healthy meal. Plus with cottage cheese now even gracing the shelves of French supermarkets, there’s no excuse not to give these a whirl!
3 Ingredient Cottage Cheese Waffles
What we love about these cottage cheese waffles is that they're quick to make with only 3 main ingredients. There's no need to let the batter rest beforehand and no need to blend it either. Here's what you'll need:
- Cottage Cheese - if you prefer not to see the curds, then blend the batter but we feel there's no need.
- Fresh Eggs - organic, free-range at best and, if in France, look for the Bleu Blanc Coeur label, as they're higher in Omega 3.
- Flour - although plain all-purpose flour is good with a little baking powder, experiment with different kinds. We love wholemeal, spelt or buckwheat to add more flavour. Although there are no oats, adding a tablespoon of oat bran or wheat bran just makes us feel that extra fabulous. Those following a gluten-free diet can easily replace the wheat flour with buckwheat, rice or oat flour using the same quantity.
Add a little seasoning - don't forget the salt (fleur de sel or celtic sea salt) and add some spice and/or herbs of your choice, depending on your topping (see ideas below).
How to Make Healthy Cottage Cheese Waffles
Heat the waffle iron to the desired setting (either crispy or soft). Add canola oil if the waffle iron isn't non stick, otherwise we add it for extra crispiness.
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs into the flour and baking powder until the batter is smooth. If using, add the oat bran. Whisk in the cottage cheese and rest of the ingredients. There's no need to blend or let the batter rest.
Ladle a little of the batter onto the waffle iron, keeping it in the middle. Heat for about 4-8 minutes depending on the size of your iron. As ours is quite big, we leave it to sizzle for a maximum of 8 minutes.
Serve immediately with the topping of your choice.
Have any leftover? Then the waffles also freeze well.
To reheat, just pop them in the toaster.
How to Serve
These cottage cheese waffles are best served with a topping. While I've made them neutral so that you can enjoy both sweet or savoury toppings, feel free to add fresh herbs (e.g.rosemary, chives), pepper and spices to the batter to suit more savoury flavours. While they're filled with cottage cheese, they don't taste cheesy so great paired with an even bigger variety of toppings.
Add even more healthy protein-rich foods such as seeds and nuts. Here are some healthy topping ideas:
- smoked salmon, avocado and fromage blanc or Skyr, both high in protein
- smashed avocado, crème fraîche, chilli flakes and toasted pumpkin seeds
- fresh goat's cheese, fresh fruits like figs (or fig jam) and toasted walnuts
- for the less savoury fans: almond purée (or peanut butter) and sliced banana or maple syrup
The fun doesn’t stop here. Keep experimenting and creating your own unique twists. As long as there’s cottage cheese in your fridge, the possibilities are endless.
It’s the whey to go!
Love them cheesy?
Then make our crispy cheese waffles (gluten free.)
Cottage Cheese Waffles
Equipment
- waffle iron
Ingredients
- 75 g (3oz/½ cup + 1 heaped tbsp) plain (all-purpose) flour use half and mix rest with either wholemeal, buckwheat or spelt flour (See NOTES)*
- 3 large eggs organic
- 180 g (6oz/0.8 or ¾ cup) cottage cheese
- ½ tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt fleur de sel or Celtic sea salt
- 1 tablespoon oat bran optional
- 1 tablespoon canola oil optional
- ½ teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary or chives optional (or other herbs, according to topping)
Instructions
- Heat the waffle iron to the desired setting (either crispy or soft). Add canola oil if the waffle iron is not non stick, otherwise we add it for extra crispiness.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs into the flour and baking powder until the batter is smooth. If using, add the oat bran. Whisk in the cottage cheese and rest of the ingredients. No need to blend or let the batter rest.
- Ladle a little of the batter onto the waffle iron, keeping it in the middle. Heat for about 4-8 minutes depending on the size of your irons. As ours is quite big, we leave a maximum of 8 minutes.
Lisa
Super - we enjoyed with smoked salmon it is indeed an absolute delight - thank you so much Jill for this great recipe !
Jill Colonna
Wow - that was quick making this, Lisa. Thanks for your feedback - so glad you liked it!