15 Ways to Use Cottage Cheese for Protein Bakes That Aren’t Dry

I’m a firm believer that we shouldn’t have to compromise on flavor or texture just to hit our protein goals. Most “protein breads” out there are pretty disappointing, but using sourdough enzymes to break down added proteins makes a world of difference for both your gut and the crumb of the bread. Add some cottage cheese into the mix, and you get a serious nutritional upgrade that comes out perfect every time.

Why Would You Want To Add Cottage Cheese To Sourdough Bakes?

As many of you I’ve been obsessed with cottage cheese over the last year or so. And I figured I show you how many amazing recipes you can make with it, if you balance it with an artisan sourdough baking approach. And what’s best? The sourdough makes the protein in it easier bioavailable.

I have written a whole post on the topic of sourdough baking with added protein, including the relevant links to studies and science behind it, but here is the gist of it:

• The sourdough starter contains and produces a wide variety of enzymes, including proteases. These proteases are enzymes that break down protein molecules into smaller peptides and individual amino acids, which our bodies can more easily absorb than their bigger counterparts.
• The process works both on protein within the flour and added whey protein in the form of powder and any other milk or grain products.
• This means you get more bang for your buck from the protein you are adding to sourdough when allowing it to long ferment.

See if you can spot the one recipe I snuck in without sourdough, because I just couldn’t resist. 😉

Buns, Bagels & Small Bites

Anything you need for breakfast, as side for dinner, or just a snack.
Well…aside from the pizza crust. But we can count that as snack when it has protein, right?
Right. I knew you are with me on that.

Each of these recipes has at least double the protein of the original. Except the baguettes, they have about 3 times as much!
Not that anyone eating them will ever notice, as they are simply delicious like right from your artisan bakery.

And what’s best? Because sourdough is both flexible and patient, you can make them ahead of time and bake them fresh within 3 days of mixing the dough.

Bigger Bakes & Hearty Loaves

I’m from Germany and with that I take my bread seriously. Ok well…it’s flavor and texture. But I won’t tell you to feed your starter 3 times in the middle of the night, adjust your whole schedule to its perfect activity and murmur some incantations to get an IG-worthy loaf.
Instead these recipes fit your life and schedule, however that may look and raise your protein intake with both cottage cheese and protein powder.

From my Easy High-Protein Sourdough bread, which is becoming a firm reader favorite (and Grandkids approved) over a Focaccia you can make even when your sourdough was hopelessly overproofed (or should I say especially then?) all the way to probably the healthiest bread you can eat, this section has something for every bread lover.

Sweet Treats

Arguably the most important part of my day is having a sweet treat for dinner. So much so, that I switched my meals around so I have what most people would consider Dinner as my first meal, often consisting of one of my 5-a-day in One Meal recipes.

And with that satisfying my need for fiber, I usually have what others would consider breakfast or dessert for dinner. If you are similar, craving something sweet every day, but would like it to be functional too, containg a good portion of protein, these cottage cheese treats are for you.

Bonus Sweet Treat

Cottage cheese but without sourdough. But Oh so good, I just couldn’t keep this one from you!

And it comes together super quickly with a pretzel crust (which is, frankly the star of the show here!)