Cottage Cheese Toast

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This cottage cheese toast is incredibly versatile. It’s the perfect way to start your day, a protein-packed snack or a quick 5-minute light dinner.  Whether you’re craving a sweet or savory treat, you can switch out your toppings to suit you! Fruit, nuts, avocado, tomatoes? You name it, this toast nails it!

Love this? Try this Cottage Cheese With Fruit, this Cottage Cheese Smoothie, and check out these 25 Best Cottage Cheese Recipes.

Cottage cheese toast variations: tomato and basil, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and chili flakes, smoked salmon and dill, tuna and cucumberberries, lemon, and honey, banana and almond butter, cinnamon and caramelized apple, and chocolate chips, nuts, and maple syrup.

Why You’ll Love It

Cottage cheese used to be a bit of a bland-tasting ingredient, but it’s having a bit of a revival now.

It’s packed with protein and, with its creamy and mild nature, it’s like a blank slate, ready to absorb and complement the myriad of ingredients you pair it with.

Pair it with some crunchy sourdough bread to counterbalance the cottage cheese’s softness, and you’ll have a perfect meal.

And the simplicity of the basic ingredients makes it a blank canvas that you can adapt to your liking.

It’s my go-to breakfast when I’m in a rush, a quick healthy snack when I’m feeling peckish, and sometimes, an easy light dinner when I can’t be bothered to cook anything that takes more than 5 minutes.

Essential Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Bread: I love using whole wheat sourdough as it’s packed with beneficial bacteria and fiber. Make sure you buy real sourdough, though. Check the ingredients list: you only want flour, water, and salt (with some extra seeds on top, if you can find it).
  • Toppings of your choice: Whether that’s fresh fruit, avocado, seeds, nuts, or anything in between, there are plenty of ideas to try. Don’t worry. I’ll fill you in on this later!

How to Make Cottage Cheese Toast

Basic overview. Full ingredients and instructions are in the recipe card below.

Toast your bread: Before you start, slice your bread to about ¾-inch to 1-inch thick to give you crispy edges and a soft center. Toast your bread in a toaster, in an oven, or on a stovetop grill. You should toast the bread until each side is crispy and golden (but not burnt!).

Prepare your toppings: Whether you’re craving a sweet or savory toast, you need to prep your toppings! Simply chop your fruit, tomatoes, veggies, herbs, and anything else you plan to use.

Assemble the toast: For savory toast, I like adding a little layer of extra virgin olive oil to my bread before the cheese. It adds some depth and complexity to the flavor. And some extra fats that keep me fuller for longer. Grab your cottage cheese and give it a good stir before spreading it on the bread. This helps to mix the liquid part of the cheese with the chunkier bits. Then, layer your toppings.

P.S.: The instructions for the Tuna and cucumber toast are a bit different, but I’ll share more below.

Hands spreading cottage cheese onto a slice of bread with a spoon.

Enjoy: Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast of the crunchy bread, soft cheese, and toppings.

Savory Cottage Cheese Toast Ideas

Tomato and Basil

Pairing tomato with basil and cottage cheese tastes exactly like bruschetta – and I can’t get enough of it!

Just top your cottage cheese toast base with sliced heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, and olive oil.

Tomato and basil variation of cottage cheese toast.

Avocado, Cherry Tomatoes, and Chili Flakes

If you’re trying to get more healthy fats into your diet, sliced avocado is always the way forward for breakfast!

I love the color and hint of acidity of the juicy cherry tomatoes, and the chili flakes add a touch of heat.

Avocado, cherry tomatoes, and chili flakes variation of cottage cheese toast.

Smoked Salmon and Dill

If you’re not feeling like an Eggs Benny for breakfast, just top your cottage cheese toast with tasty smoked salmon.

It pairs beautifully with fresh dill, a brush of olive oil, and just a squeeze of lemon (to enhance the fish’s flavor!).

Upscale brunch at home? You’ve got it.

Smoked salmon and dill variation of cottage cheese toast.

Tuna and Cucumber

This one is a bit different. We’ll mix the cottage cheese straight with canned tuna, crispy green onions, freshly chopped parsley, some capers, and a squeeze of lemon.

Top it with some crunchy cucumber, and you’ll have a delightful combination. It’s one of my favorites! 

You can even substitute mackerel or sardines for the ultimate omega-3s powerhouse!

Tuna and cucumber variation of cottage cheese toast.

Sweet Cottage Cheese Toast Ideas

Berries, Lemon, and Honey

Is there anything better than berries mixed with honey and creamy cottage cheese? I don’t think so!

I love adding a few chia seeds for extra protein and lemon zest for brightness and zing.

Berries, lemon, and honey variation of cottage cheese toast.

Banana and Almond Butter

Honestly, I have such a soft spot for pairing smooth and creamy almond butter with super-sweet ripe bananas.

You can even add chocolate chips to the mix for a pleasant hit of texture and chocolatey goodness!

Banana and almond butter variation of cottage cheese toast.

Cinnamon and Caramelized Apple

This variation on cottage cheese toast requires a bit of prep with a skillet to caramelize the apples.

But the tender apples work beautifully with crushed nuts, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and the crunchy toast.

It’s the ultimate fall breakfast!

Cinnamon and caramelized apple variation of cottage cheese toast.

Chocolate Chips, Nuts, and Maple Syrup

When you want a simple toast that’s ready in minutes, just throw a few chocolate chips and chopped nuts on toast!

The cottage cheese is a protein-rich base that pulls everything together.

Chocolate chips, nuts, and maple syrup variation of cottage cheese toast.

Other Topping Ideas

If you’re looking for more ideas, sliced radishes, avocado, jam, dried fruit, and even dried herbs are all solid options!

One of my favorite one-minute toasts is cottage cheese, dried oregano, and a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil: trust me, it’s a winner!

Whatever toppings you choose, just make sure they have interesting textures and contrasting flavors.

FAQ

Can I make cottage cheese toast in advance?

Not really. You should make cottage cheese toast when ready to eat it to maintain its crispy texture. But you can prepare the toppings in advance to save time.

Is cottage cheese toast healthy?

It depends on your choice of bread, cottage cheese, and toppings. Your toast will be healthy if you opt for whole-grain sourdough bread, low-fat organic or grass-fed cottage cheese, and nutritious toppings like fruits or vegetables.

What can I do to make my cottage cheese less runny?

You can drain off the excess liquid with the help of a sieve. But I prefer to mix it well before spreading it to get a nicer texture.

If you try this cottage cheese toast recipe, please leave a comment and a rating and let me know how much you liked it!

Cottage Cheese Toast

This cottage cheese toast is incredibly versatile. It’s the perfect way to start your day, a protein-packed snack or a quick 5-minute light dinner. Whether you’re craving a sweet or savory treat, you can switch out your toppings to suit you! Fruit, nuts, avocado, tomatoes? You name it, this toast nails it!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Servings: 8 slices
Calories: 174kcal
Author: Sara Trezzi

Ingredients

  • 8 slices sourdough bread - see note 1
  • 2 cups cottage cheese - see note 2

Savory toppings

  • Heirloom tomatoes
  • Basil
  • Avocado
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Chili flakes
  • Lemon
  • Smokes salmon
  • Dill
  • Pesto
  • Cucumber - sliced
  • Canned tuna - in spring water
  • Spring onion
  • Capers
  • Salt
  • Garlic
  • Pepper
  • Extra virgin olive oil

Sweet toppings

Instructions

  • Toast the sliced bread in a toaster, in an oven, or on a stovetop grill until each slice is crispy and golden.
  • Pick your toppings below.

Tomato and basil

  • Brush your bread slice with some extra virgin olive oil first. Spread around ¼ cup of cottage cheese on each slice.
  • Top the toast with juicy and sweet sliced heirloom tomatoes.
  • Add chopped fresh basil.
  • Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.

Avocado, Cherry Tomatoes and Chili flakes

  • Brush your bread slice with some extra virgin olive oil first. Spread around ¼ cup of cottage cheese on each slice.
  • Top the toast with sliced avocado and cherry tomatoes.
  • Sprinkle with red chili flakes and sea salt.
  • Finish with a squeeze of lemon and some fresh herbs.

Smoke Salmon and Dill

  • Brush your bread slice with some extra virgin olive oil first. Spread around ¼ cup of cottage cheese on each slice.
  • Layer smoked salmon on top of the toast.
  • Sprinkle with chopped dill and a dash of black pepper. You can also add a squirt of lemon juice to enhance the salmon’s flavor.

Tuna and Cucumber

  • Drain the tuna well and squeeze any excess liquid out. In a small bowl, mix the tuna, ¼ cup cottage cheese, 1 sliced green onion, 1 teaspoon of chopped capers (optional), 1 teaspoon of chopped parsley, 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and mix well.
  • Brush your bread slice with some extra virgin olive oil. Spread the mix on top of your bread slice.
  • Top with some extra parsley and some cucumber slices.
    Note: This option is delicious with canned sardines or canned mackerel as well.

Berries and Honey

  • Top the toast with mixed berries (you can use fresh or frozen berries; if using frozen, thaw before using).
  • Drizzle with honey or maple syrup.
  • Sprinkle with chia seeds for extra protein and some lemon zest.

Banana and Almond Butter

  • Place banana slices on top of your toast.
  • Drizzle with almond butter and top with some chocolate chips for extra indulgence.

Cinnamon and Caramelized Apple

  • Heat a skillet and add some sliced apples. Add a tablespoon of and sprinkle with cinnamon.
  • Cook until apples are tender and caramelized.
  • Top the cottage cheese toast with caramelized apples, some extra cinnamon, and some crushed pecans or walnuts.

Chocolate chips, Nuts, and Maple Syrup

  • Sprinkle the cottage cheese toast with plenty of chocolate chips and chopped nuts.
  • Drizzle with maple syrup.
    Serve Immediately! Cottage cheese toast is at its best eaten right after assembly, so you’ll experience the contrast of crunchy bread texture, the soft cheese, and the toppings.

Notes

Note 1: Slicing the bread about 3/4-inch to 1-inch thick will give you the best of both worlds: crispy edges and a soft center.
Note 2: If your cottage cheese has too much liquid, it could make your toast soggy. Mix it well before spreading it, or drain off some liquid for a firmer spread.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate per serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 2g | Sugar: 3g

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One Comment

  1. 5 stars
    The smoked salmon toast is sooo good!