Strawberry Cottage Cheese Fruit Smoothie
This creamy strawberry cottage cheese fruit smoothie is a family friendly and delicious way to enjoy fruits, vegetables, and nutritious dairy all wrapped up in a high protein smoothie with no protein powder!
When you’re in a pinch for time, having easy and nutritious recipes on hand is essential to help you stick to your health goals! If I feel rushed and need a quick meal, I generally gravitate towards one of my tried and true “s” options: sandwich, snack plate, or smoothie.
Smoothies are great to throw together when you are in a hurry because they can be filled with fruits and vegetables, they’re portable, and you can add protein with so many different ingredients to help keep variety in your diet!
While protein powder and greek yogurt have long been popular protein sources for smoothies, cottage cheese fruit smoothies are beginning to grow in popularity as well! Cottage cheese and fruit has long been a go to balanced snack option, so let’s find a way to blend them together into a balanced meal!
I already have a peaches and cream cottage cheese smoothie on the blog for you, but today we are sticking to the classic flavors of a creamy strawberry smoothie with cottage cheese. Loaded with fruits, vegetables, and fresh dairy protein, you’re entire family will love this cottage cheese smoothie recipe!
Why you should add cottage cheese to smoothies:
While we all have become accustomed to seeing yogurt on the ingredients list for a smoothie, cottage cheese may take you more by surprise!
Here’s why you’ll love building up a cottage cheese fruit smoothie:
Adds protein without protein powder: There are lots of different ways to add protein to smoothies without using protein powder. Dairy products, like cottage cheese, are very popular protein additions for a smoothie that also adds other nutrients and texture!
Tastes like cheesecake: If you have ever wondered what cottage cheese tastes like, I would describe it as a a subtle cheesecake flavor that is a great and healthy alternative for cream cheese.
Enhances the creaminess: Blended cottage cheese is incredibly creamy and adds a smooth texture to your fruit smoothie.
Less tang than yogurt: Yogurt is a cultured dairy product which gives it more of a tangy, sour flavor that can over power the sweet flavor of a smoothie. Cottage cheese is not cultured so it has a much more neutral flavor that blends well with fruit!
Toddler friendly: This cottage cheese smoothie recipe is one of my favorite ways to build up a toddler friendly smoothie.
Toddlers have much lower protein needs than adults do, so sticking with a dairy product instead of a protein powder adds protein within a reasonable amount and also gives them important nutrients like vitamin D, Calcium, phosphorous, and more to build strong bones and bodies!
You’re going to love this cottage cheese smoothie recipe, trust me!
Looking for other ways to add protein to smoothies?
Check out this blog with 15 creative ways to add protein to smoothies!
Ingredients you’ll need:
This cottage cheese fruit smoothie has frozen strawberries, creamy coconut milk, and a super subtle cream cheese flavor from blended cottage cheese. Here are all of the ingredients you will need to make it:
Frozen strawberries: Could also use fresh for a thinner smoothie.
Frozen riced cauliflower: This could be optional, it really just enhances the nutrition and the volume of the smoothies. For most of the smoothie recipes on my blog, I add cauliflower as an easy (and virtually tasteless) way to add more veggies to my diet.
Low fat cottage cheese: Any brand you like, my personal favorite is Good Culture.
If you want a lactose free cottage cheese, you could buy the lactose free Good culture cottage cheese, Green Valley Cottage Cheese or Lactaid cottage cheese.
Light coconut milk: I generally make my recipes with real milk but I found that using cows milk left this smoothie a little bit flavorless. Using coconut milk adds a subtle creamy flavor that pulls the whole smoothie together! I used light coconut milk to lower the calories.
Vanilla extract: Do not skip this!
Honey: This is for a touch of sweetness and can be added to taste. If you do not have honey, you could also use any liquid sweetener you like.
Whipped cream for topping: optional but recommended
That’s all you’ll need for this smoothie recipe!
Step by Step Instructions:
One of the best aspects of a smoothie is how easy they are to make and clean up!
Here’s how you’ll make this recipe:
1) Add all of your ingredients to a blender or blender cup. I use the Ninja Blender and the individual blender cups that go with it.
2) Blend until smooth and creamy.
3) Pour into a glass, top with whipped cream (optional but recommended) and enjoy!
Swaps and substitutions:
Cottage cheese fruit smoothies can be made in so many different ways. Here are a few ways that you can modify this recipe:
Change your fruit: This cottage cheese fruit smoothie is made with strawberries but you can swap in any fruit you prefer like bananas, raspberries, blueberries, pineapple and more! These are all delicious pairings for a fruit and cottage cheese snack as well if you did not want a smoothie.
Swap your liquid: I used coconut milk for the flavor but you could use any liquid that you want! Add more protein with fair life milk or add a tropical flavor by choosing 100% orange juice.
Add different mix ins: Peanut butter, shredded coconut, maple syrup, cinnamon, and other mix ins are all delicious in a cottage cheese smoothie.
Freeze it! This smoothie recipe can easily be frozen in to frozen fruit bars. Simply blend your smoothie then pour into molds and allow them to freeze for 24 hours. Enjoy!
Use this recipe as an inspiration for future cottage cheese smoothies to come!
Recipe FAQ:
Are there any lactose free cottage cheese brands?
Yes! You can get lactose free cottage cheese from Good Culture, Green Valley, and Lactaid.
Will I notice the cottage cheese in the smoothie?
The cottage cheese will add a subtle cheesecake flavor to the smoothie that you may notice. As far as texture goes, we are going to be blending cottage cheese here and you will not notice any of the traditional curdy texture that comes with cottage cheese!
What if I don’t like cottage cheese?
If you really are not digging the idea of cottage cheese in smoothies, you can easily swap it for vanilla greek yogurt and build up an equally delicious and nutritious smoothie without cottage cheese!
Other smoothie recipes you will love:
This blog is not short on smoothie ideas. With each smoothie featuring different proteins like protein powder, greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and more, you’re sure to find a smoothie recipe that is perfect for you and your family!
Raspberry and Blueberry Smoothie
This raspberry blueberry smoothie is made with greek yogurt and perfect for kids.
High Protein Orange Creamsicle Smoothie
The nostalgic vanilla and orange flavors of an orange creamsicle blended together in a creamy, high protein smoothie that is deliciously refreshing on a hot summer day.
Peaches and Cream Cottage Cheese Smoothie
Another cottage cheese fruit smoothie idea for you to enjoy! You’ll love that this one is filled with fresh peach and zesty lemon flavors. .
Banana Date Smoothie
The BEST banana and medjool date smoothie you will have.
Edamame Green Smoothie
One creative way to add protein to smoothies is with plant based ingredients like edamame!
Strawberry Cottage Cheese Fruit Smoothie
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add all of your ingredients to a blender or blender cup then blend until smooth.
- Pour into a glass, top with whipped cream and enjoy!
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Hey! I’m Lauren
I’m a Registered Dietitian and busy toddler mom committed to bringing you delicious, nutritious, and easy-to-make recipes!