These easy 3 ingredient cottage cheese waffles have 25 grams of protein for 2 delicious keto waffles and just 2 grams of total carbs! The best part about this easy recipe is that no flours are needed and it's ready in under 10 minutes!
Flour Free Cottage Cheese Low Carb Waffles
These fluffy waffles don't need almond flour, or any alternative flours to make them! In fact no special ingredients at all!
The waffle batter has just three ingredients you most likely have already in your low carb kitchen and pantry.
Perfect for busy mornings and easy to meal prep! Whether you're following a keto diet, low carb diet, or just wanting to reduce your sugar intake, this is a great recipe for all diets!
No added sugar, low carb waffle recipe that makes for a delicious breakfast!
The basic cottage cheese waffle recipe consists of 3 simple ingredients; cottage cheese, eggs and unflavored whey protein powder.
I've also added additional ingredients to make 6 more flavors of these healthy protein waffles; vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter and banana bread waffle recipe.
The basic waffle recipe is the perfect base for savory keto sandwiches or keto pizza. The chocolate waffle recipe is a delicious recipe when your sweet tooth is craving!
Carbs in Traditional Waffles
According to the app Cronometer, regular waffles, store bought frozen waffles, 1 medium 4 inch round has 14.4 grams of carbs and just 2.3 grams of protein.
Not much protein, which will leave you hunger in less than an hour. Having 25-30 grams of protein per meal is a great way to stave off hunger and cravings.
Carbs in our High Protein Waffle Recipe
At the bottom of this post is the recipe card that includes all nutritional information for the basic cottage cheese waffle with an incredible fluffy texture.
Since there is no dietary fiber in these healthy waffles, the total and net carbs are exactly the same with just 2 grams. Two waffles provides 25 g protein which is very satiating and satisfying!
Best Waffle Iron
Mini Dash Waffle Maker- if you just want to make the 6 waffles for this recipe, this is the easiest waffle iron to use.
Belgian Waffle Maker- If you want to do a larger batch of waffles, double the recipe which will make 12 waffles and use this Belgian waffle maker to cook more at once.
Best Cottage Cheese Brands
Full-fat cottage cheese is best for this, either 4% or 2% creamy cottage cheese will yield the best results for fluffy waffles.
You can find many options for cottage cheese at your local grocery store, but specific brands vary in taste and texture.
I don't recommend fat free cottage cheese because it won't be as satisfying as full fat cottage cheese or as creamy.
I like to use lactose free cottage cheese since my daughter and I both have lactose intolerance.
The brand I like best is Green Valley organic, but Lactaid is also a great brand as is the Good Culture brand.
Can I swap cottage cheese?
You could probably swap the cottage cheese with plain Greek yogurt but you would not have the same protein as with using cottage cheese.
Lactaid 4% Cottage Cheese nutritional info according to the app Cronometer in ½ cup serving has 13 g protein, 5 g total grams of carbs, 5 g fat and 110 calories along with a good amount of calcium, potassium and sodium.
Can I swap the whey protein powder?
I would not recommending swapping the whey protein powder. I tested this recipe swapping the whey with egg white protein powder and the texture was dry and not fluffy at all.
Do not swap with collagen or beef protein powder as readers have tested and let me know, neither worked.
Storage
You can store these high protein waffles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days or freeze individual servings in freezer bags for up to 3 months.
To reheat, simply take from freezer and place in a toaster oven for 3-5 minutes until you have crispy waffles.
Favorite Toppings
Instead of using real maple syrup which will kick you our of ketosis and can cause sugar cravings for many people, try this sugar free maple syrup from the Lakanto brand. If you prefer honey, try this Allulose honey syrup!
Sugar Free Whipped Cream is delicious on top of the chocolate or peanut butter gluten-free waffles.
Mix some nut butter like peanut butter with a little melted butter and you can add a drizzle over your peanut butter waffles as I did for my pictures.
Sugar Free Chocolate chips from the brand Lily's sweets is what I used melted together with a little butter and then spread over the chocolate cottage cheese waffles for a sweet treat!
More High Protein Breakfast Recipes
Cottage Cheese Protein Pancakes
High Protein Chocolate Smoothie
Cottage Cheese Blueberry Muffins
Whey Protein Research
Whey protein, rich in muscle-building amino acids—especially leucine—is one of the best protein sources for increasing muscle protein synthesis, and thus, the growth of lean muscle. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7049534/
Whey protein has been shown to decrease hunger, the desire to eat, and food consumption in obese adults. After 12 weeks, body fat was significantly reduced compared to controls. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28730743/
It has also been shown to significantly moderate blood glucose levels 30 minutes post-consumption.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26987021/
Easy Low Carb Keto Cottage Cheese Protein Waffles
Ingredients
Basic Waffle
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whey protein powder unflavored
Vanilla Waffles
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla liquid stevia
- ½ cup swap with regular whey in basic recipe for vanilla whey protein powder
Chocolate Waffles
- 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon Chocolate monk fruit liquid sweetener
Peanut Butter Waffles
- 2 tablespoon Peanut Butter Powder
- 1 teaspoon Toffee liquid stevia
Banana Bread Waffles
- 1 teaspoon banana extract
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon liquid stevia
Apple Pie Waffles
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
- 1 teaspoon apple pie extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla liquid stevia
Savory Waffles for burgers, pizza or sandwiches
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Place the cottage cheese, eggs and whey in a bowl and stir together or place in a blender and blend until smooth. (Also add any other ingredients for flavored waffles.)
- Heat your waffle maker. Grease with avocado oil spray or coconut oil cooking spray.
- Place about ¼ cup of batter into center of waffle maker. Close lid and follow manufacturer's instructions to cook. Base recipe makes 6 waffles. One serving is 2 waffles.
Notes
Nutrition
About Brenda
Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.
Diane
I made the cottage cheese waffles this morning! The first 2 on the waffle maker were perfect but the next one kept sticking to the waffle maker so I got a pan and made pancakes. I didn’t have the unflavored protein powder so I used the vanilla flavored one I had and added a splash of vanilla extract. They were delicious. Thank you for your great recipes.
Brenda Bennett
Thanks Diane!
Karen
I made these for my husband and myself this morning. They were outstanding!
The vanilla recipe is what I followed. Thank you so much
Brenda Bennett
Thank you Karen!
Gayla
HI, I made them for the 1st time this past weekend. I used two different protein powders.. 1st Powder I used followed the recipe to a T. The consistency was on point and only used 1/4 C and made sure I put the mix in the middle of the waffle maker. They came so fluffy and cooked just right. Now.....
The other powder I had was Premier protein chocolate- And I also followed recipe to a T, it was all running and very thin (like water) so I added more powder little bit at a time and mixed.. and had to add a little more powder. I didn't add any more then 2 extra scoops bc I was worried they would be to dry. They turned out fluffy also and the taste was fine!
So the powder we use can make a difference. Hope this helps.
Brenda Bennett
Thanks for sharing!
Debi Harris
Just wanted to post this for info - I made this using lowfat cottage cheese (Farm Friendly from Aldi's) and unflavored Isopure protein powder that I got from Walmart, but it's available in a lot of places - and just regular eggs. I tried to make them in my Dash mini waffle maker and had the overflow, poof - nothing left in the waffle maker. So, I just heated up a fry pan and made pancakes! They turned out awesome, so at least I now know that I can make a high protein pancake. I'm thinking that either I really needed to have the full fat cottage cheese (which I normally don't buy) or maybe the brand of protein powder makes a difference. Anyway, I've got a great recipe for pancakes and I may try the waffles again the next time I'm at the store and think to buy full fat cottage cheese. Thanks Brenda for doing what you do - I'm a newly diagnosed diabetic and am combing through all of your recipes for ideas!
Brenda Bennett
Thanks for sharing! I do think the protein powder is the issue for overflow. I have turned these into pancakes as well. Glad you like them!
Kim
I just made these today in my 4 multi Dash waffle maker and I am beyond thrilled how good these are....definitely going to make again with the additional flavors...thank you once again Brenda 💕
Brenda Bennett
Thank you Kim!
Sonya
I’ve been searching for a long time for a pancake recipe with good consistency and flavor, and this is it! Need to try the waffles next. I added some sf banana skinny syrup and they were so yummy. Plan to make some more for the weekday mornings. Thank you being such a scientist in the kitchen!
Brenda Bennett
Thank you Sonya!
Elizabeth Glass
Hello!
I made these and the only different was I used vanilla whey protein(it's all I had at the moment) and they turned out DELICIOUS! SO GOOD! Thank you so much!
Nicole Gray
What brand did you use? I've never eaten cottage cheese, but I'd like to try this. You have me curious.
Brenda Bennett
Right in the blog post above I shared the brand I used and the other brands I recommend. I used a lactose free cottage cheese brand called Lactaid.
Kathleen Funk
I was going to make the cottage cheese waffles but when I looked at the ingredients in the cottage cheese I was surprised to read what was in it. It turned me off. What brands do you recommend?
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Beth
I get Daisy Pure & Natural. It has milk, cream and salt. That’s it.
Olya
Made these waffles with strawberry flavour protein powder....mmm
thanks Brenda
Brenda Bennett
Great idea!
Rose Angle
These were super easy and very tasty. I couldn't believe how crisp they were. I could hear the knife when I buttered them.
Thank you Brenda for your awesome recipe!
Brenda Bennett
Thank you Rose!
Yvonne Cummings
I don’t usually have any issues with your recipes, but I am needing some help…I followed the recipe…I used a small food processor, and whey protein…but when I put the first 1/4c (2 oz.) in a mini waffle maker it over flowed everywhere…so next time I only 1 1/2 oz. in…same thing…overflowed everywhere…tried again with just 1 oz…and again, the same…overflowed a little and when I opened the waffle maker the top and bottom was stuck and no center…what did I do wrong?? Should I let the batter sit for a bit???
I tasted what did stick to the waffle maker, and it tastes really good…
Brenda Bennett
I'm sorry you're having trouble. Can you tell me about the whey protein powder ingredients you are using please?
Yvonne Cummings
I used daisy 2% cottage cheese and the whey protein was the brand It’s Just whey protein
TERRI GREEN
I had the very same problem! I used isopure whey protein isolate. Is that the wrong kind of protein powder?
Kathleen
Ok, I’ve made these twice and both times the batter exploded out of the waffle iron and left a crust that just stuck. I checked the comments, and I also used the “it’s just” brand! I saved some batter to make into pancakes tomorrow so I don’t waste the ingredients. I’m going to try another brand and try again because I really want a crispy waffle lol.
Rick
I’m going to try tomorrow. Do you think a couple table spoons of oat fiber would work to get some fiber in them?
Brenda Bennett
I can't say how the texture would become or if they'd be dry since I've not tested that ingredient.
Lori Laurita
Brenda! These are remarkable! Please know, I’m not one of those “I substituted all of the ingredients and it didn’t turn out” people. Haha. I use plant based protein at home, (personal preference to whey) and they turned out perfectly! I measured about 20g of chocolate collagen into my measuring cup before filling the rest with protein powder. I put everything in the Vitamix and it was a bit too thick to pour out so I added 1/4 cup water. (I’m just letting anyone else know this so they know it won’t ruin the end result.) Can’t wait to try all of the flavors! Thank you!
Brenda Bennett
Thanks for sharing your changes! Happy you liked them!
Nina
I just had the basic waffles and oh boy! They were so satisfying, fluffy, soft and delicious! Still cannot believe with just 3 ingredients how good waffles can be! I will be trying the rest of the versions soon! Who wants to go back to the regular waffles we shouldn’t have! Not me! Thank you 🙏 Brenda!
Brenda Bennett
Thanks Nina!
Thea
Brenda, I made these yesterday ..best pancakes ever. So simple to make ... I made English cream tea with mine, sf strawberry jam and cream ... saved two for later, and had peanut butter n jam sandwich ... both things I've been craving for years ... nothing ever hit the spot .... THIS Recipe DID.. thank you so much 👍👍
Brenda Bennett
Thank you! So you turned them into pancakes instead of waffles?
Susan
Can I make this recipe in small cupcakes? I ussuale make eggs and cottage cheese "egg bites" (small cupcake mold) but never with proteing powder.
Brenda Bennett
I'm not sure how they'd hold in cupcake form since I've not tested that, sounds like a great idea but not sure how they'd work for you.
Em Hanson
Hi Lori, can you share what plant-based protein you use? I was told when protein isn’t the best.
Brenda Bennett
Whey protein, rich in muscle-building amino acids—especially leucine—is one of the best protein sources for increasing muscle protein synthesis, and thus, the growth of lean muscle. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7049534/
Whey protein has been shown to decrease hunger, the desire to eat, and food consumption in obese adults. After 12 weeks, body fat was significantly reduced compared to controls. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28730743/
It has also been shown to significantly moderate blood glucose levels 30 minutes post-consumption.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26987021/
Vickie Adams
These are fantastic! I made the peanut butter flavored variety. Only differences I made was using vanilla flavored protein powder, no toffee flavoring, and I blended the ingredients together before cooking.
Brenda Bennett
Thanks for sharing Vickie!
Marvie
I have made all sorts of low carb waffles. These were the lightest of all I have ever tried. Almost like an Eggo. All the grandkids loved them.
Brenda Bennett
Oh wow I love to hear that, thank you!
Shauna Sidebottom
These are simply phenomenal!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Brenda Bennett
Thank you so much Shauna!
Lisa Lemler
I’ve tried lots of keto waffles but this recipe is by far my absolute favorite!!
Brenda Bennett
Thank you and can you also rate the recipe with stars? This helps Google know it's a quality website. Thank you!
Peggy R
Try it. You could do half a recipe and try to cook them as pancakes. I use pancake recipes alot of times to make waffles with no alterations.
Ron Gentry
Just wondering if these could be made as pancakes also? Thanks
Brenda Bennett
Haven't tested that yet.
Martina Loth
Amazing recipe! Worked out perfectly.
Will use it for burger with salt and herbs instead of sweet ingredients as well!
Brenda Bennett
Thank you!
Linnie
Hi! I read the whole post and my question wasn’t addressed there.
Is there a standard way to adjust this for pancakes? For example, an extra egg or some baking powder? I’m looking for low carb pancakes with protein powder and cottage cheese, because my waffle maker is broken.
Thank you so much for all the work you put into your delicious recipes!
Brenda Bennett
Sorry I've not made them into pancakes so that's why there's no info in the blog post on that.
Cassandra
I tried the peanut butter variation today with the peanut drizzle it was very tasty, but a tad dry, I am wondering if it’s the addition of a dry powder. I will have to try the original recipe as well for a more honest review.
Brenda Bennett
It could be the peanut butter powder. If you make that one again, you could just use 1 tbsp instead of 2.
Brenda Bennett
Also did you make 6 waffles with the 2 tbsp pb powder or just half the batter?
Peggy Rhew
these look amazing. do you think it would work with equip protein powder? Or collagen. I don't do whey protein.
Brenda Bennett
I do think it will work with equip protein powder but not sure on collagen as I've not tested that.
Michele Chute
Great recipe!!! I used Vital Proteins chocolate collagen, dairy free ricotta ( unable to find dairy free cottage cheese) and it turned out great! I'm new on the sugar free, dairy free, gluten free journey! It has been a struggle especially to find sugar free recipes that I like. Thanks again!!!
Brenda Bennett
Thanks for sharing your changes!
Marilyn M
These sound wonderful Brenda! Thank you for coming up with exciting alternatives to traditionally high carb foods!