Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats

Ingredients

• 113 g (½ cup)cottage cheese
• 1 scoop (12.5 g)vanilla protein powder
• 90 g (1 cup)old-fashioned oats
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml)chia seeds
• 240 ml (1 cup)almond milk
• ½ teaspooncinnamon
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml)sweetener of choice, such as maple syrup or sugar-free syrup
• 37 g (¼ cup)blueberries
• 38 g (¼ cup)strawberries
• 2 tablespoons (30 g)Greek yoghurt
• 1 teaspoon (5 g)almond butter

Instructions

1. 1

   Blend the mixture

   Put the cottage cheese, almond milk, vanilla protein powder, cinnamon and sweetener in a blender. Blend on high until smooth.

2. 2

   Whisk dry ingredients

   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oats and chia seeds.

3. 3

   Combine everything

   Pour the blended liquid over the oat mixture and stir until evenly combined.

4. 4

   Cover the container

   Close the container with its lid or cover it with plastic wrap.

5. 5

   Chill overnight

   Refrigerate the mixture overnight.

6. 6

   Add toppings

   The next day, serve with a drizzle of almond butter, Greek yoghurt and the berries.

What are cottage cheese overnight oats?

Overnight oats are oats soaked in liquid in the fridge rather than cooked on the hob. This version blends cottage cheese into the soaking mixture, making it smooth and creamy, with vanilla protein powder and cinnamon for flavour.

The no-cook format is popular in American-style make-ahead breakfasts: prepare it the night before, then add fresh toppings when ready to eat. Here, chia seeds help the oats take on a thicker texture as they chill.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 371 calories, 32g protein, 41g carbs, 10g fat.

The oats, chia seeds and fruit provide most of the carbohydrates, while almond butter and chia seeds contribute fat. Cottage cheese, protein powder and Greek yoghurt are the main protein sources. For a balanced plate, serve with an extra piece of fruit or another suitable side rather than increasing the sweetener.

Why blend the cottage cheese?

Smooth base: blending the cottage cheese with the almond milk and other flavourings gives the mixture an even consistency before it meets the oats.

Protein powder: add it to the blender so it mixes through the liquid, rather than leaving dry pockets in the finished oats.

Getting the texture right

Even mixing: whisk the oats and chia seeds together first, then stir in the blended liquid until everything is coated.

Chilling: give the mixture the full overnight rest so the oats and chia seeds can absorb liquid. If it seems thick when you serve it, stir it well before adding the toppings.

When to add the toppings

Berries: add the blueberries and strawberries just before serving for a fresh contrast to the creamy oats.

Finishing touches: Greek yoghurt and almond butter go on at the end, keeping their texture distinct from the soaked mixture.

Choosing the sweetener

Maple syrup: use it for a mellow, familiar sweetness, or choose the listed sugar-free syrup if that is your preference.

Taste: protein powders and cottage cheese vary, so the sweetener choice lets you tailor the finished bowl. The recipe uses one tablespoon.

What to serve alongside

This is designed as a complete breakfast serving, with oats and fruit providing the main carbohydrate sources and cottage cheese, protein powder and yoghurt contributing protein.

For a more substantial breakfast, serve it with another piece of fruit. If you prefer a simpler bowl, the berries and toppings can be portioned directly over the oats.

Recipe notes & tips

• Use a container with enough room to stir the mixture without spilling.
• Blend the cottage cheese mixture until smooth before combining it with the oats.
• Whisk the chia seeds through the oats so they are distributed evenly.
• Stir the mixture again before serving to redistribute any settled ingredients.
• Add the berries and finishing toppings just before eating.

Variations

• Use another milk: swap the almond milk for a similar amount of your preferred milk.
• Change the berries: use another fresh berry in place of the blueberries or strawberries.
• Add more spice: adjust the cinnamon to suit your taste.
• Choose a different sweetener: use your preferred syrup or sugar-free syrup.
• Try another nut butter: replace the almond butter with a different nut butter.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Lumpy cottage cheese: blend the liquid mixture until smooth before pouring it over the oats.
• Uneven chia seeds: whisk them with the oats before adding the liquid.
• Dry pockets: stir thoroughly so the oats and seeds are coated throughout.
• Rushed chilling: refrigerate overnight rather than serving the mixture straight after mixing.
• Soggy berries: add the berries when serving instead of stirring them into the oats before chilling.

How to store

Keep the covered oats refrigerated and eat them the next day after their overnight chill. Add the berries, Greek yoghurt and almond butter when serving; stir the oats before eating.

Frequently asked questions