Easy Cottage Cheese Ice Cream (10 minutes)

Move over traditional vanilla—there’s a new creamy favorite in town, and it’s made with a surprising star ingredient: cottage cheese! This Cottage Cheese Ice Cream recipe is smooth, high in protein, naturally sweetened with honey, and bursting with the indulgent flavor of peanut butter and chocolate chips. And the best part? It’s unbelievably easy to make, with just a handful of ingredients and no special ice cream machine required.

Whether you’re looking for a healthier dessert alternative, are curious about how to make ice cream with cottage cheese, or just need a protein-rich snack that feels like a treat, this recipe checks all the boxes.

Why You’ll Love This Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Recipe

• High-protein: Cottage cheese offers a protein boost most ice creams don’t.
• Naturally sweetened: We use honey instead of refined sugar.
• No churn needed: Just a blender or food processor and a freezer.
• Creamy and dreamy: No one will guess this dessert started with cottage cheese.
• Perfectly scoopable: With a little patience and thawing, it scoops like the real deal.
• Healthier alternative: It satisfies your sweet tooth without sabotaging your goals.

More and more people are looking for low-sugar, high-protein dessert alternatives that don’t rely on artificial sweeteners or preservatives. This recipe is a smart way to use everyday ingredients to create something rich and indulgent, without the heavy cream or added guilt.

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Ingredients for Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

You only need four simple ingredients to whip up this creamy cottage cheese treat. Make sure to use full-fat cottage cheese for the best texture and flavor.

• Cottage cheese (4 cups / 16 oz): Full-fat is key for creaminess. We used Good Culture, but any thick and creamy variety will work. The higher the fat content, the smoother and richer the ice cream.
• Honey (½ cup): Adds natural sweetness and a touch of floral flavor. You can adjust the amount to taste or swap it for maple syrup or agave.
• Peanut butter (4 tablespoons): Offers richness and nutty flavor. Natural peanut butter works great here, but feel free to substitute with almond or cashew butter for variety.
• Chocolate chips (4 tablespoons): Stirred in for a hint of texture and sweetness. Mini chips are perfect, but chopped dark chocolate also works well.

Optional: A pinch of sea salt to enhance the flavor or a splash of vanilla extract for added warmth.

How to Make Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

If you’re wondering how to make ice cream with cottage cheese, the steps are refreshingly simple. No ice cream maker, no eggs, no heating—just blend, freeze, and enjoy!

Step 1: Blend the Base

Add the cottage cheese, honey, and peanut butter to a food processor or high-powered blender. Pulse or blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. This may take 30–60 seconds depending on your equipment.

Blend until no lumps remain—you want it to look like a velvety soft-serve base. If the consistency is too thick for your blender, add 1–2 tablespoons of milk (any variety works) to help it blend smoothly.

Step 2: Add the Mix-Ins

Once the mixture is smooth, stir in the chocolate chips using a spatula or spoon. This step gives the ice cream little pops of chocolate in every bite.

For even distribution, fold in the chips gently. You could also divide the batch and add different mix-ins to each portion for a variety pack.

Step 3: Freeze

Transfer the mixture to the original cottage cheese container or a freezer-safe loaf pan. Smooth out the top and cover tightly with a lid or plastic wrap to prevent ice crystals.

Place it in the freezer for about 4 hours, or until the mixture is firm and scoopable. Check it around the 3-hour mark—some freezers work faster than others.

Step 4: Serve

When ready to eat, remove from the freezer and let thaw at room temperature for 5–10 minutes—just long enough to soften for scooping. Use an ice cream scoop to portion into bowls and serve immediately.

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Equipment Needed

• Food processor or high-speed blender
• Spatula or spoon
• Freezer-safe container (loaf pan or similar)
• Ice cream scoop
• Airtight lid or plastic wrap for freezing

Variations to Try

This base recipe is super adaptable. Try switching up the flavors with the ideas below:

• Strawberry shortcake: Swap peanut butter for mashed strawberries and stir in crushed graham crackers.
• Chocolate banana: Add 1 ripe banana and 1 tablespoon cocoa powder to the base.
• Cookies & cream: Mix in crushed chocolate sandwich cookies instead of chocolate chips.
• Mint chip: Add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract and use dark chocolate chips.
• Tropical twist: Blend in shredded coconut and chopped pineapple chunks.
• Nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter or skip the nut butter entirely.
• Vegan version: Use plant-based cottage cheese and maple syrup instead of honey.

Topping Ideas

Take your cottage cheese ice cream to the next level with fun toppings:

• Chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds)
• Coconut flakes
• Sliced bananas
• Crushed pretzels
• Extra chocolate drizzle
• Cinnamon or cocoa powder dusting
• Chia or hemp seeds for extra nutrition

Storage Tips

• Store in an airtight container in the freezer.
• Best eaten within 1–2 weeks for the creamiest texture.
• If it becomes too hard, let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes before scooping.
• To prevent ice crystals, press a piece of parchment or wax paper on top of the surface before sealing.

When to Serve It

This ice cream is great for more than just dessert. Try it:

• Post-workout, as a high-protein snack
• As a sweet brunch treat
• In smoothie bowls for added texture
• In place of traditional ice cream with brownies or pie

FAQs about Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

Final Thoughts

Cottage cheese ice cream is one of those genius recipes that makes you wonder: Why didn’t I try this sooner? With just four ingredients and a few hours in the freezer, you get a scoopable, satisfying treat that’s creamy, rich, and surprisingly nutritious.

If you’re looking to upgrade your dessert game without the sugar crash—or just want to know how to make cottage cheese ice cream that actually tastes amazing—this recipe is a must-try. Be sure to follow us on Pinterest and explore more easy, healthy recipes at EatsRecipe.com.

Now, grab that scoop and dig in!

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