Cottage Cheese Waffles

Light, fluffy, and packed with protein, these Cottage Cheese Waffles are a healthy jumpstart to your day.

Cottage cheese is the unsung hero of the cheese world—maybe even the entire dairy universe. It is neutral-tasting, which means you can add it to any number of dishes or, alternatively, add any number of toppings to a dish of cottage cheese. It provides calcium and vitamins, plus its rich protein content makes it a favorite among vegetarians who might stress over the amount in their diet. It comes in different percentages of milk fat, so there’s an option for everyone, and it’s relatively cheap and easy to track down. And you know what else you can do with it? Make waffles, that’s what!

It’s true. While it might not be the first thing that comes to mind when making waffle batter, cottage cheese does get used when I’m making brunch (I top my fruit salads with it). It was only a matter of time before I considered it for my waffles. The texture is what does it for me; every bite strikes a balance between crispy and creamy. It’s such a mind-blowing contrast in mouthfeel that I would make these even if I had a cold and couldn’t taste anything.

You’re free to add whichever toppings you like, but do me a favor and take one bite of just the plain waffle first. Your mouth will thank you. And me, I suppose.

Are Cottage Cheese Waffles Healthy?

Yes, this particular recipe has plenty of healthy components, especially when you’re comparing them to traditional waffles laden with fat, sugar, and calories. I use whole-wheat flour, which has more fiber than all-purpose flour. The eggs and the low-fat cottage cheese provide protein and vitamins, while the applesauce replaces the fat source and adds moisture, natural sweetness, and antioxidants.

These waffles are suitable for a vegetarian diet as is, assuming you eat cheese and eggs. You’d need to swap out the flour with almond or coconut flour to make them gluten-free.

No Butter, No Oil

If you’ve ever made traditional homemade waffles, you know that most recipes contain butter and/or oil to help keep the waffles moist and tender on the inside. How exactly are we able to do away with those ingredients here?

I think unsweetened applesauce is a game changer when it comes to healthier baking. Not only does it offer a touch of natural sweetness to the waffle batter, but it also helps give that moisture we’re after while binding the ingredients together. Plus, flavor-wise, it pairs so well with the mild cottage cheese and the vanilla, giving these waffles a wholesome, homemade flavor.

Serving Suggestions

I would say that this is the fun bit, but as far as I’m concerned, everything about this recipe is the fun bit! In any case, this is where you can add all kinds of fun toppings, such as berries, sliced bananas, honey, maple syrup (as noted in the recipe), cinnamon, walnuts, pecans, almonds, peanut butter… anything that will make your soul sing. Heck, you could even go with savory toppings like smoked salmon, avocado slices, sour cream, or a fried egg. For even more protein, serve your waffles with a side of Air-Fryer Bacon, Scrambled Eggs, or some Turkey Sausage.

Recipe