Cottage Cheese Protein Pancakes are fluffy, soft and packed with protein. An easy and healthy breakfast that is splendid for weekday or weekend mornings!

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This post was originally posted on 1/15/2021 and updated on 1/15/2025.
Why We Love These Cottage Cheese Pancakes
- It's effortless! Literally mixing wet ingredients into dry and you're set!
- These pancakes are healthy and packed with protein.
- Only basic ingredients needed that you probably have on hand.
- Pancakes are a huge crowd pleaser that everyone will love, even these healthy cottage cheese pancakes.
- These pancakes are ready to enjoy in less than 30 minutes.
- Pancakes are perfect for breakfast, brunch and dinner. Breakfast for dinner is always fun and yummy!
- Make a double batch! These cottage cheese protein pancakes are freezer friendly and reheat like a gem.
Cottage Cheese Protein Pancakes Recipe Ingredients
- Large Eggs
- Small Curd Cottage Cheese
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Pure Maple Syrup
- Whole Wheat Flour
- Baking Powder
- Salt
Substitution Suggestions
- Cottage Cheese: I suggest using small curd cottage cheese. The smaller curds blend into the pancake batter without causing too much of a textural difference compared to pancakes most people are used to. It doesn't matter really what type of cottage cheese you use beyond that. Full fat, low fat, or non fat cottage cheese will work, whatever you preference is. I buy small curd low fat because I personally like that flavor best.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: It is always best to use pure extracts. Using imitation extracts can leave an unpleasant after taste in your pancakes and other baked goods.
- Pure Maple Syrup: Honey is a great substitute.
- Whole Wheat Flour: Feel free to use white whole wheat flour or all purpose flour. The pancakes will be delicious with any flour. I like to use whole wheat flour because it is more nutrient dense.
How to Make Easy Cottage Cheese Protein Pancakes
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and cottage cheese until very well combined.
- Then whisk in the vanilla extract and maple syrup.
- Next, stir in the dry ingredients: whole wheat flour, baking powder, and salt just until it is incorporated. Do not overmix.
- Let the batter rest for about 5 minutes while you heat up your griddle or skillet.
- Preheat a griddle to 350°F or heat a skillet with a little butter over medium heat.
- Pour ¼ cupful of batter on the griddle.
- Cook until bubbles start to form and pop, about 2-3 minutes. Then flip the pancakes and cook another 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
- Set pancakes on a large sheet pan and place in a low heat oven to keep warm while you finish the rest of the pancakes.
- Serve the warm pancakes with your favorite toppings.
Why does the pancake batter have to rest?
Letting pancake batter rest is the secret to creating the fluffiest pancakes. It’s a crucial step to avoid getting rubbery and gummy cakes, along with not overmixing. The baking powder in the batter creates air pockets while resting, resulting in the fluffiest pancakes imaginable. This is not a step you want to skip.
Topping Variations for Cottage Cheese Pancakes
These protein pancakes with cottage cheese are great with just a drizzle of maple syrup or honey. However, you can add some fruit and other toppings to make them extra special. Here are some yummy ideas:
- Homemade Granola with Honey Drizzle
- Sliced Bananas and Cinnamon
- Peanut Butter & Jelly
- Applesauce and Cinnamon
- Greek Yogurt and Honey
- Fresh or Frozen Berries
- Berries and Greek Yogurt or Whipped Cream
- Jams, Jellies or Preserves: warm them up so they are a syrup consistency
If you love pancakes try these other healthy and delicious pancake recipes: Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes and Whole Wheat Pumpkin Pancakes. They are fluffy, soft and so yummy!
What to Serve with Healthy Cottage Cheese Pancakes
These pancakes are healthy and filling so they are fabulous just served alone with a variety of toppings. They are also delicious with a side of fruit or breakfast meat. My simple fruit salad is a great side and check out my post on How to Bake Bacon, makes cooking bacon so much easier and cleaner. For more protein a side of Greek yogurt with some fresh fruit is always a great option.
Looking for more ways to incorporate whole wheat flour in your recipes? Try some of these family approved recipes!
Storing Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Storing: Store any leftover cottage cheese pancakes in an airtight container in the fridge.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or toaster oven. The frozen pancakes can be reheated in a 350°F oven on a baking sheet until warmed through. They can also be reheated from frozen in the microwave until warmed through.
How to Freeze Leftover Cottage Cheese Pancakes
To freeze pancakes: Let the leftover pancakes cool to room temperature and then place them on a parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer. Use parchment paper in between stacks of pancakes to prevent sticking together. Once frozen place in a freezer safe container or zip top freezer bag.
To thaw: there are a few options for thawing. You can use the defrost option on your microwave, you can just reheat them from frozen and eat them right away, or you can take the number needed out of the freezer the night before and place in the fridge overnight.
Heather's Favorite Tools for this Recipe
- These nestled mixing bowls are my favorite for prepping ingredients.
- I love using an electric griddle for pancakes. This electric griddle from Presto is what I use and I've had it a long, long time.
- Long ago, I used to be a Pampered Chef consultant and I still prefer their baking tools and pans to any others. They're baking pans are the ones I primarily use. Find yourself a consultant, host a party and treat yourself to a set.
- My husband bought me this fancy pancake turner one year for Christmas and it works like a charm. It's one of my favorite kitchen tools.
Tips for Easy Cottage Cheese Protein Pancakes
- Always fluff your flour before measuring. This helps make sure the flour is properly measured.
- Double check your dates on your baking powder. Old and expired baking powder will not do its job right.
- Start with room temperature ingredients for best results.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing will create rubbery pancakes instead of fluffy pancakes.
- Let the pancake batter rest. This gives it time for the baking powder to activate and do it's job to make fluffy pancakes.
- If you don't have an electric griddle, use a nonstick pan. The griddle is best because the heat is evenly distributed, but a nonstick skillet with some butter or oil will work too.
- Flip those pancakes with confidence! Get the spatula all the way under the pancake before flipping.
More Healthy Breakfast Recipes
- Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies
- Ham & Cheese Mini Frittatas
- Instant Pot Brown Sugar Oatmeal
- Sheet Pan Pancakes
- Easy Homemade Bagels
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Waffles
- Air Fryer Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes
- Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets
- Blueberry Cereal Bars
- Ham and Cheese Oven Omelet
Did you make this recipe? Rate it!
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Cottage Cheese Protein Pancakes
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and cottage cheese until well blended.
- Whisk in vanilla extract and maple syrup.
- Stir in whole wheat flour, baking powder and salt just until incorporated.
- Let batter rest for 5 minutes while griddle or pan heats.
- Heat griddle to 350° or a frying pan with a little butter over medium heat.
- Pour ¼ cupfuls of batter onto griddle. Let cook for 2-3 minutes until bubbles start to form and pop on top of the pancakes.
- Flip pancakes and cook another 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve warm with favorite toppings.
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