If you’re looking for an easy breakfast that’s high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats, these cottage cheese overnight oats deserve a spot in your weekly meal prep. Each jar delivers about 16 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber – the kind of balanced breakfast that actually keeps you full and satisfied through the morning.
This is a low-maintenance recipe you can prep on Sunday and grab all week. No blender, no cooking, no fancy ingredients. Just mix everything together, pop it in the fridge, and breakfast is ready when you are.
Quick Look at the Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Chill Time: Overnight (at least 5 hours)
- Servings: 1 jar (easy to scale for the week)
- Method: No-cook, refrigerator
- Highlights: High protein, high fiber, creamy, filling, meal-prep friendly
Let’s Give Cottage Cheese Its Moment!
Cottage cheese has definitely had a moment over the last few years – and honestly, I’m here for it. I’ve been eating cottage cheese for decades, but I love seeing it pop up more as a simple, affordable way to add protein to everyday meals.
I’ve been making overnight oats for about 15 years, and whenever I wanted more protein, I typically stirred in Greek yogurt or reached for protein powder or collagen. But once cottage cheese started showing up everywhere, I figured – why not try it in overnight oats?
And wow. It’s unexpectedly delicious.
Cottage cheese adds a subtle, neutral flavor and a really nice creaminess without the tang you get from yogurt. It blends beautifully with oats and helps balance the whole jar – whole grains, fiber, healthy fats, and protein – all in one place. Honestly, I like this version just as much (if not more) than my overnight oats with yogurt recipe..
The recipe I’m sharing today is a base recipe, even though I add berries. Once you try it, you’ll realize you can easily stir cottage cheese into any overnight oats flavor you already love to boost the protein.
One more note worth mentioning: I usually use non-dairy milk like almond or coconut milk in my overnight oats because that’s what I keep on hand for my healthy smoothies. But since this recipe already includes dairy – and the goal here is higher protein without protein powder – I recommend using dairy milk. It naturally adds more protein and works perfectly with the cottage cheese.
I hope you love this!
Ingredients
You’ll find exact measurements in the recipe card below. These notes will help you understand why each ingredient matters and how it supports this protein cottage cheese overnight oats recipe.
- Rolled oats. Old-fashioned rolled oats are the only oats I recommend for overnight oats. Instant oats turn mushy, and steel-cut oats won’t soften enough without cooking. Rolled oats give you that creamy-but-structured texture. Oats are naturally gluten-free, but if you’re gluten-sensitive, be sure to choose certified gluten-free oats.
- Chia seeds. This is my go-to superfood for overnight oats. Just one teaspoon adds fiber, protein, and omega-3s while helping the oats thicken into that creamy, pudding-like texture. You can add more, but keep in mind the texture will get thicker the more chia seeds you use.
- Cottage cheese. I prefer full-fat cottage cheese here – it helps keep you fuller longer and gives the oats a richer texture. I’ve tested a lot of brands, and honestly, Aldi’s full-fat cottage cheese is my favorite. It’s affordable, creamy, and works perfectly in overnight oats.
- Dairy milk. Since we’re already using cottage cheese and focusing on protein, dairy milk makes sense here. It adds extra protein compared to plant-based milk. You can also use high-protein dairy milk if you want to bump the protein even more.
- Frozen berries. Totally optional, but I love adding berries for fiber, antioxidants, and flavor. Frozen berries work especially well because they release juices as they thaw, which adds natural sweetness to the oats.
- Pure maple syrup. I always sweeten overnight oats in the morning, after they’ve thickened. Start with 1–2 teaspoons and adjust based on your taste. If the oats feel too thick, just add a splash of milk.
If you’re looking for the ingredients or supplies I use to make overnight oats, be sure to check out my Amazon storefront. I’ve rounded up my favorite jars, pantry staples, superfoods, and other kitchen tools I use regularly when prepping overnight oats at home.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients. Add the rolled oats and chia seeds to a 16-ounce mason jar or container. Stir them together first so the chia seeds are evenly distributed – this helps prevent clumps once you add liquid.
Step 2: Add the milk and cottage cheese. Pour in the milk and add the cottage cheese. Stir well until the oats are fully covered. If the mixture looks too thick or dry, add a little more milk until everything is submerged.
Step 3: Add the berries. Spoon the frozen berries over the top. There’s no need to stir them in right now – they’ll soften and release flavor as the oats chill.
Step 4: Refrigerate overnight. Cover with a lid and refrigerate for at least 5 hours or overnight.
Step 5: Sweeten and adjust. In the morning, give everything a good stir. Add 1–2 teaspoons of pure maple syrup. If the oats are thicker than you like, add a splash or two of milk until you reach your preferred consistency.
Expert Tips
- Protein without protein powder: This recipe was intentionally developed to be high-protein without using protein powder. That said, if you want to boost protein to 20+ grams, you can stir 2 tablespoons of an unsweetened, unflavored protein powder into the oats and chia seeds before adding liquid. I personally use Garden of Life unflavored protein powder. Of course, you can also use flavored protein powder if you prefer.
- No blender required: Some recipes suggest blending cottage cheese with milk. Totally optional. I keep this recipe low-maintenance, but if you prefer a smoother texture, and want to break out the blender, you can blend the milk and cottage cheese first.
- Enjoy it cold or warm: Overnight oats are designed to be eaten cold, but you can warm them in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or gently on the stovetop if you prefer.
Easy Variations
- Chocolate cottage cheese overnight oats: Stir 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder in with the oats and chia seeds before adding liquid.
- Vanilla or almond flavor: Add ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract or ⅛ teaspoon almond extract for extra flavor.
- Fruit swaps: Try chopped peaches, cherries, strawberries, or blueberries.
- Make it your own: You can honestly add ¼ cup or more of cottage cheese to any overnight oats recipe to instantly boost protein. Check out this how-to and list of favorite overnight oats recipes.
Storage Tips
I like to prepare and store my overnight oats in 16-ounce glass jars. They’re perfect for portion control, make meal prep simple, and are ideal for grab-and-go mornings. You can prep several individual jars at once, or make a larger batch in one container and scoop out what you need each day – both work great.
Store the overnight oats in sealed jars or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep in mind that the oats will continue to thicken the longer they sit, which is totally normal. They’re still perfectly safe to eat through day five – just stir in a splash of milk to loosen them up and bring them back to the creamy consistency you like.
More Overnight Oats Recipes to Try
Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats (Protein + Fiber, Easy Prep)
Equipment
- 1 16-ounce container or bowl with a tight-fitting lid
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned oats)
- 1/2 cup 1% milk or higher-protein milk, if preferred
- 1/4 cup full-fat cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup you can also use honey or sweetener of your choice.
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients. Add the rolled oats and chia seeds to a 16-ounce mason jar or glass container. Stir them together so the chia seeds are evenly distributed — this helps prevent clumping once the liquid is added.
- Add the liquid and cottage cheese. Pour in the milk and add the cottage cheese. Stir well until the oats are fully submerged in the liquid. If needed, add a small splash of milk to make sure everything is covered.
- Add the berries. Spoon the frozen berries over the top of the oat mixture. There’s no need to stir them in – they’ll soften and release their juices overnight.
- Refrigerate overnight. Cover with a lid and refrigerate for at least 5 hours or overnight.
- Sweeten and adjust in the morning. In the morning, stir everything together. Add 1–2 teaspoons of pure maple syrup to taste. If the oats are thick, stir in a splash of milk until you reach your preferred consistency.
Notes
- Protein boost without powders: This recipe is designed to be high in protein using cottage cheese and dairy milk – no protein powder required. But if you want even more protein? Stir in 1–2 tablespoons of unflavored protein powder with the dry ingredients if desired.
- Gluten-free option: Oats are naturally gluten-free, but choose certified gluten-free rolled oats if you’re sensitive to gluten.
- Storage: Store sealed jars in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The oats will thicken over time — just stir in a splash of milk to loosen them up.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
If you tried these cottage cheese overnight oats, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment and a star rating – it helps other readers feel confident trying the recipe and allows me to keep creating and sharing recipes that truly work for real life.
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