High Protein Overnight Oats with Cottage Cheese

These Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats are an easy way to meal prep breakfast with a serious protein boost. Packed with simple ingredients like protein oatmeal, cottage cheese, and chia seeds, this recipe delivers around 20 grams of protein per jar, no cooking required.

If you’re not a morning person, having something prepped in the fridge that’s actually satisfying makes all the difference for an easier start to your day. This recipe is creamy, slightly sweet, and topped with fresh berries & nut butter for just the right pop of flavor.

It’s the perfect high-protein breakfast to fuel busy mornings without reaching for a protein bar that tastes like drywall and leaves you feeling hungry within an hour. If you love make-ahead breakfasts like my Pumpkin Protein Muffins or Kale & Mushroom Egg Bites, or Cinnamon Roll Baked Oatmeal, this is a new staple.

For more high protein breakfast ideas, try this High Protein Burrito Bowl or Breakfast Burrito, these perfectly fluffy Scrambled Eggs with a side of Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage or Oven Baked Breakfast Sausage and a Protein Latte to round it out!

If you're a cottage cheese lover then you might want to check out my Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse, Peaches with Honey Granola & Cottage Cheese, Fudgy Brownies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Edible Cookie Dough or this deliciously creamy Cottage Cheese Ice Cream.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• It is packed with protein. Over 20g per jar depending on your brand of protein oats & cottage cheese.
• It is perfect for meal prep. This recipe makes 4 jars to grab and go on busy mornings.
• It is highly customizable. Add your favorite toppings or flavor twists like fresh fruit, nut butter, chocolate chips, coconut flakes and more!
• It is naturally gluten-free. Especially with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Oats or Protein Oats.
• It has a creamy texture. Whipped cottage cheese makes this super smooth and easily blends into the oats.
• It has balanced macros that includes healthy fats, fiber, and complex carbs in addition to protein.

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Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats Ingredients & Tested Substitutions

• Cottage Cheese. The star of the show! Whipping it gives the oats a smooth, creamy texture while boosting protein and adding b vitamins and calcium. My favorite brand is Good Culture, if you can find it.
• Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Protein Oats. I love using their protein oats for an extra added boost of protein. You can also sub old-fashioned oats or quick oats (avoid instant oats or steel-cut oats for best results).
• Almond Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk, but you can sub dairy milk, whole milk, or oat milk. Just use less milk if your oats seem runny after adding the cottage cheese, as some brands have slightly more liquid than others.
• Maple Syrup. Adds subtle sweetness and pairs beautifully with berries and cinnamon. Honey or date syrup also work. 
• Chia Seeds. Chia seeds add fiber, healthy fats, and help thicken the oats.
• Nut Butter. Almond butter, peanut butter (my favorite!), cashew butter or sunflower seed butter all work for flavor and richness.
• Cinnamon. For extra flavor & depth. Pumpkin pie spice would be delicious too!

Tips, Tricks & Favorite Add Ins

• Add a scoop of protein powder for an extra protein boost; vanilla or cinnamon flavors work great here.
• If using quick oats, reduce the liquid slightly.
• Want it sweeter? Add mashed banana, chopped dates, or a few drops of vanilla stevia.
• Add fun toppings like chocolate chips, almonds, coconut flakes, or ever peanut butter cups for more of a treat.
• Make it a chocolate base by adding a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder to the cottage cheese before whipping. You can also add peanut butter here, too!
• Not a fan of the flavor of cottage cheese? Sub greek yogurt or skyr instead.

Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats Step by Step Instructions

1. Whip the cottage cheese. Add the full container (16 oz) of cottage cheese to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth and creamy.

2. Assemble the jars. Divide whipped cottage cheese mixture between 4 mason jars or glass containers. To each jar, add:

• ½ cup oats

• ¼ cup almond milk

• ½ tablespoon chia seeds

• ½ tablespoon nut butter

• ½ tablespoon maple syrup

• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

3. Mix well. Stir until well combined, cover with lids, and refrigerate overnight (or for at least 4 hours).

4. Add toppings & enjoy. In the morning, give the oats a stir and top with fresh berries, extra nut butter, or your favorite topping ideas.

How to Store Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats

Store in the fridge in mason jars or any airtight container for up to 5 days. Give each jar a stir before serving and add toppings fresh.

High Protein Meal Prep Ideas to Try Next

• Pumpkin Spice Muffins
• Blueberry Muffins
• Breakfast Burritos
• Beef Stew
• Air Fryer Salmon
• Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Monster Cookie Energy Bites
• Monster Cookie Protein Bark

Did you have a chance to make this recipe? If so, please leave me a 5 star rating and review below. I always love and appreciate hearing from you!