Since I started giving my toddler “fun” breakfasts instead of the usual toast or cereal, she’s been completely spoiled. Now, if it’s not colorful or special, I get the look.
You know the one.
So one morning, in between pouring coffee and trying to find her missing shoe, I pulled out cottage cheese, blueberries, and a few pantry staples, and this high-protein blueberry breakfast bake was born.
Creamy, fruity, and just sweet enough—it passes the toddler approval test and keeps me full until lunch. Win for both of us.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Breakfast Bake
- Protein-Packed
- Fruity
- Creamy
- Easy to Make
What You’ll Need
Ingredient | Amount |
---|---|
Cottage cheese, full-fat | 2 cups |
Eggs | 4 |
Sweetener of choice | 4 tbsp |
Vanilla extract | 2 tsp |
Cornstarch | 2 tbsp |
Lemon zest | 1 tsp |
Blueberries, divided | 1½ cups |
Essential Tools for Perfect Results
You don’t need a fancy kitchen, but having the right tools makes all the difference:
- 8×8-inch baking dish
- High-powered blender
- Fine mesh strainer
- Spatula
- Microplane zester
How to Make High-Protein Blueberry Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bake

Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready
Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and give it a good 10-12 minutes to heat up properly. While you’re at it, grease that 8×8 dish generously (I learned the hard way that this prevents heartbreak when it’s time to slice).
Step 2: Drain Cottage Cheese
Here’s where most people go wrong: they skip draining the cottage cheese. Don’t be like early-me! Place those 2 cups in a fine mesh strainer and gently press with a spatula for 2-3 minutes. You’ll be amazed at how much liquid comes out, and this step is what separates a perfect bake from a watery disappointment.
Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients
Toss your drained cottage cheese, eggs, sweetener, vanilla, and cornstarch into that blender. Blend on high for 45-60 seconds, pausing halfway to scrape the sides. You want this completely smooth, no cottage cheese curds!
Step 4: The Texture Check
This is my quality control moment. Scoop out a bit of the mixture. It should look like a thick, creamy smoothie. If it’s grainy, blend another 15 seconds. Too thick? Add just a teaspoon of milk.
Step 5: Add Blueberries and Zest
Transfer your silky mixture to a bowl and gently fold in 1 cup of blueberries and that precious lemon zest. The key word here is “gently” we want whole berries, not purple mush.
Step 6: Into the Pan
Pour everything into your prepared dish, spreading it evenly. Give the pan a gentle tap on the counter to release any air bubbles. This creates that perfect, dense texture we’re after.
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 35-40 minutes. I always check at 35 minutes with a toothpick, you want it mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs. The edges should be set and the top lightly golden.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Let it cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing. I know it’s tempting to dive right in, but this cooling time lets everything set properly. Top with those reserved blueberries and enjoy!
Storage and Meal Prep
This is where this recipe really shines for busy people like me. Store your bake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. For reheating, I pop individual slices in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes, it brings back that just-baked warmth without drying it out.
Pro tip: I often make two batches on Sunday and freeze one. Wrapped properly, it keeps for up to 3 months, and you can thaw individual slices as needed.
Nutritional Breakdown
Let’s talk about what makes this breakfast so special from a nutrition standpoint. Each serving (and I cut mine into 9 generous squares) gives you:
Nutrient | Per Serving |
---|---|
Calories | 160 kcal |
Fat | 6g |
Protein | 10g |
Total Carbs | 16g |
Fiber | 1g |
Net Carbs | 15g |
But beyond the numbers, you’re getting:
- Complete protein
- Antioxidants
- Probiotics
- B vitamins
- Calcium
Creative Variations to Keep Things Interesting
- Chocolate Lover’s Version: Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder and use dark chocolate chips instead of blueberries
- Tropical Twist: Coconut extract instead of vanilla, with diced mango
- Lemon Lover’s Dream: Double the lemon zest and add poppy seeds
- Almond Joy: Almond extract, shredded coconut, and a few dark chocolate chips
Dietary Modifications
- Keto-friendly: Replace the sweetener with stevia or erythritol
- Gluten-free: It already is! Just double-check your vanilla extract
- Dairy-free: Try it with cashew-based cottage cheese alternatives
Perfect Pairings and Serving Suggestions
I’ve discovered some amazing combinations over the months I’ve been making this:
- Fresh berry medley for extra antioxidants and color
- A steaming cup of coffee or chai latte
- Greek yogurt drizzle for extra protein and tang
- Chopped nuts for healthy fats and crunch
Troubleshooting: Learning from My Mistakes
I’ve made every mistake possible with this recipe, so you don’t have to:
#1 The Watery Disaster
What went wrong: Skipped draining the cottage cheese
The result: A soggy, unsliceable mess that I had to eat with a spoon
The fix: Always, always drain that cottage cheese for at least 2-3 minutes
#2 The Grainy Texture Tragedy
What went wrong: Didn’t blend long enough
The result: Cottage cheese curds throughout—not pleasant
The fix: Blend until it’s completely smooth, scraping sides as needed
#3 The Overbaked Disappointment
What went wrong: Left it in too long because I was afraid it wasn’t done
The result: Dry, dense, and frankly sad
The fix: Start checking at 35 minutes and trust the toothpick test
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make individual portions instead of one large bake?
Absolutely! Use a muffin tin and bake for 18-22 minutes. I love making these for grab-and-go breakfasts. Just grease those muffin cups well!
Can I use egg whites instead of whole eggs?
You can, but you’ll lose some richness and binding power. If you do this, use 6 egg whites instead of 4 whole eggs, and expect a slightly lighter texture.
How do I know if it’s actually done?
The edges should be set and pulling slightly from the sides, the top should be lightly golden, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs. The center should feel firm but still have a tiny bit of give when pressed gently.
The Final Slice
These days, my toddler thinks this breakfast bake just magically appears in the fridge whenever she wants it. Meanwhile, I’m over here batch-baking on Sundays like some undercover breakfast elf. I
t’s quick, it’s healthy, and it keeps the peace at the breakfast table, what more could I ask for? Well, maybe for her to stop stealing the corner pieces… but let’s be honest, I’m not sharing those either.
Blueberry Cottage Cheese Breakfast

Ingredients
- Cottage cheese, full-fat - 2 cups
- Eggs - 4
- Sweetener of choice - 4 tbsp
- Vanilla extract - 2 tsp
- Cornstarch - 2 tbsp
- Lemon zest - 1 tsp
- Blueberries, divided - 1½ cups
Instructions
Step 1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 dish well.
Step 2. Strain 2 cups cottage cheese for 2–3 minutes to remove excess liquid; set aside.
Step 3. Blend cottage cheese, eggs, sweetener, vanilla, and cornstarch until smooth, pausing once to scrape sides.
Step 4. Check texture—should be creamy like a smoothie. If grainy, blend 15 seconds more. Add 1 tsp milk if too thick.
Step 5. Fold in blueberries and lemon zest gently to avoid smashing berries.
Step 6. Pour into the greased dish and spread evenly. Tap gently on the counter to remove air bubbles.
Step 7. Bake 35–40 minutes, until edges are set and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
Step 8. Cool for 10–15 minutes before slicing. Top with extra blueberries if desired.