Cookie dough for breakfast? Yes please! With 15 grams of protein and a rich, creamy texture (thanks, cottage cheese!), this recipe for overnight oats is perfect for making ahead to make a busy morning a little easier.
Oatmeal, meet cottage cheese. You're officially buddies now.
I'm a sucker for an interesting overnight oats flavor combo (hello, coffee overnight oats with tahini). My non-negotiable? It's GOTTA be filling. I've got a boatload of healthier breakfast recipes to start your day with; and ensuring they're not only wildly delish but also satisfying is my #1 goal.
And who doesn't need another reason to enjoy a chocolate chip or seven for breakfast?
I know cottage cheese in oatmeal sounds funky, but I swear these taste like cookie dough (and nothing like cottage cheese). It just adds creaminess plus a nice protein boost to actually keep you full. Are you convinced?
The low down on key ingredients
- Cottage cheese: I developed this recipe with cottage cheese because it's so darn versatile and nutritious. I tested it with low fat and full fat and both work great. Most overnight oats recipes lack protein but I went a different route cuz we need the staying power! Also it's naturally higher in salt which is perfect to round out the flavors in this recipe.
- Nut butter: A lot of recipes don't call for nut butter in the mixture but I went a different route because the creamy mouthfeel flavor boost are off the charts (plus, healthy fats!). I found in recipe testing that the neutral taste of almond or cashew butter lends the most cookie flavor, but I loved the peanut butter version too because...PB (praise hands emoji). Use sunflower seed butter and oat milk for nut-free.
- Vanilla extract: I took a bit of trial and error to land out the perfect amount but I found a full teaspoon delivers plenty of cookie flavor.
- Almond extract: This adds that tasty something something that makes me keep coming back for more. Do not skip it!
Let's make it!
A note on making *actually* filling oatmeal
A lot of overnight oatmeal recipes are just oats and milk and maybe a little yogurt, resulting in a breakfast that likely leaves you hungry an hour later. That is so yesterday! This dietitian says no thanks.
The key to making a morning meal with staying power is balancing the complex carbs in oatmeal with plenty of protein and fat. Nut butter, chia seeds, and cottage cheese make it happen in this recipe!
Don't forget to leave a star rating and comment letting me know you made these! I'm so grateful for your feedback always.
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Protein Cookie Dough Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Crave-worthy Cookie Dough Overnight Oats made with healthy staples like chia seeds, nut butter, and cottage cheese! With over 15g protein, this easy and fun make-ahead breakfast takes almost no time to make and will keep you full all morning long. Great for meal prep!
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- ½ cup cottage cheese*
- 1 ½ tbsp almond butter, peanut butter, or cashew butter
- 1 tbsp honey or pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp almond extract (optional but adds amazing flavor!)
- 1 tbsp mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl or 4-cup liquid measuring cup.Whisk to combine.
- Portion into 2 jars or containers. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Stir before eating and enjoy cold out of the fridge with extra chocolate chips and almond butter! Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
*I didn't at all mind the texture of the cottage cheese (you really don't even notice or taste it!). That said, you could also blend the cottage cheese and milk first if you prefer.
Mandy says
Delicious! It didn't taste like cottage cheese at all, which I was worried about. I used peanut butter and basil seeds in place of the chia seeds. Thanks for a great recipe!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Yum, thanks so much Mandy!
Misty says
I loved it! It tasted just like cookie dough and it kept me full longer than usual. I’m adding it into the rotation of overnight oats along with your apple cinnamon oats. I look forward to them every morning!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
This made my day, love it Misty!! Thanks so much for letting me know 🙂
Penny says
Absolutely delicious! I wasn’t sure about cottage cheese in overnight oats, but it is perfect. My new go-to breakfast!
Alexis Joseph says
Heck yes, thanks so much Penny!
Dylan says
Soooo good!
Alexis Joseph says
Yay!!
Kaitlin Sundry says
My husband requested an easy and healthy overnight oats recipe to be able to grab and go for work that would hold him over until lunch. While I wouldn't say he is picky, I also wouldn't say he is easy to please on the recipe front. Being a big fan of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, I had to give these a try and they sure were a hit! We are making a follow-up batch today to stock the fridge.
Alexis Joseph says
YAYYY so glad!! XOXO
Cara says
Making this tonight! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Alexis Joseph says
Let me know what you think, Cara!