Skip the flip-these sheet pan cottage cheese pancakes are the fuss-free breakfast hack you didn't know you needed. Made with healthy staples like eggs, oats, and sweetened with maple syrup, they're naturally gluten free, flourless, and shockingly fluffy. Just blend and bake! And no-they don't taste like cottage cheese (my kids would not be down for that!). Quick and portable, these are perfect for busy mornings or meal prepping.

Inspired by my outrageous high protein waffles with cottage cheese, we're turning in vogue cottage cheese, eggs, and oats into gorgeously fluffy pancakes you're going to be OBSESSED WITH.
Since protein is the hottest thing since hot honey feta, I'm leaning into creating the feel-good, protein-packed recipes you want that star whole food sources (versus shoving protein powder into everything known to man, ya know?). Enter high protein pancakes!
Today's the day we ditch standing over the stove and bake the whole thing. Pssst: I've been using this method with my fave whole grain pancakes, too-it works with every pancake I've tried.
Let's make 'em





Takeaways from recipe testing
- Blending is key. The first time I tested this recipe I whisked the eggs and cottage cheese in hopes you wouldn't notice the curds. NOPE. Blending is critical here to mask the cottage cheese texture and form a smooth, not overly lumpy batter.
- Low fat and full fat cottage cheese both work! My tests with the full fat tasted a bit richer but the 2% version was super delish, too. So yay, you can use what you have.
- You need the full 2 tbsp sweetener. I learned with a bit of trial and error that this is the sweet spot to mask the salty, tangy cottage cheese flavor. It just makes them more YUM. I've also successfully made these with regular sugar and brown sugar.
- Almond extract makes these extraordinary: I know I sound like a broken record but almond extract lends an elevated something something I keep coming back for. For my third trial, I tested these with only vanilla extract and I really missed the almond flavor TBH.

OMG aren't they a dream? Don't forget to let me know if you make these beauts!
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Sheet Pan Cottage Cheese Pancakes (20g protein!)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Total Time: 26 minutes
- Yield: 6 pieces (3 servings) 1x
- Category: Pancakes and Waffles
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Skip the flip-these sheet pan cottage cheese pancakes are the fuss-free breakfast hack you didn't know you needed. Made with healthy staples like eggs, oats, and sweetened with maple syrup, they're naturally gluten free, flourless, and shockingly fluffy. Just blend and bake!
We're baking this on a smaller than normal sheet pan, known as a quarter sheet pan. Don't fret if you only have a standard one--simply fill it halfway. (Or you can double this recipe and fill a standard half sheet pan. Baking time should be the same.)
Ingredients
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ⅛ tsp fine sea salt*
- 1 ¼ cups cottage cheese (I use 2%)
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup (or sugar of choice)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp almond extract
- optional: ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries (or chocolate chips)
Instructions
- Line a quarter sheet pan with parchment paper. (You can also use a standard half baking sheet but only fill it halfway).
- Place oats, baking powder, and salt in a blender (I use a Nutribullet). Process until it reaches a fine powder. Dump mixture into a mixing bowl.
- To the same blender, add cottage cheese, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla and almond extract. Blend until smooth then pour over the flour.
- Use a rubber spatula to mix just until smooth. It will look thin, that's normal! Pour onto prepared baking sheet and smooth with a spatula. Top evenly with blueberries. Let it sit and thicken while you preheat oven to 400F.
- Once preheated, bake for 15-16 minutes. Cool and slice into 6 pieces. Serve with fruit, nut butter, and maple syrup! Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days. They freeze great, too!
Notes
*You can omit salt if using saltier cottage cheese like Good Culture. I liked the added salt when I tested this with Trader Joe's brand. Both 2% and 4% work; full fat will be richer.




Kelli says
These are great! Fluffy and somehow dense at the same time. I was about a quarter cup short of cottage cheese so added half a ripe banana. You are so right about the almond extract adding that necessary extra zing. Also we are navigating a recent celiac diagnosis in one of our kids so anything I can make with pantry ingredients is a win 🙂 Delicious!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Hey Kelly, yay--so glad they worked with that sub!! Thanks for the awesome review!
Kay says
Just made these a second time, both times with chocolate chips. I'm always keeping an eye on my 5 year old's protein and fiber intake and these are a hit! Love how easy they are and use ingredients I always keep on hand.
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Yess aren't they dreamy?! Chocolate chips for the win. Thanks, Kay!
Rachel L says
These are so delicious and so easy to make! I’ll be making these weekly!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
YAYYY thank you tons, Rachel!! XOXO
Susan says
Theres 7 of us, and we love pancakes, but sometimes its difficult to make for all of us, over the stove with the focus time it takes and needs of littles so I went searching for a new protein pancake recipe I could do in the over (our typical came out a weird texture when trying in the oven).
I added enough cinnamon to taste and raisins to this, since we had just had chocolate chip muffins and I was out of blueberries. It is amazing and will absolutely be my go to now!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
This made me so happy, I appreciate your kind words Susan! Raisins and cinnamon sound soooo good here. Gotta try that!
Melissa says
Love these! I make them without the sweetener (I put maple syrup on when I eat them) and the are terrific. Great for make ahead/meal prep breakfasts. I do find I have to bake mine about 30 minutes, though.
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Love this, thank you so much Melissa!
Daria says
Made it plain without almond and vanilla extract and added 1 tsp of psyllium husk for more structure! Came out really yummy! Survey with full fat Joghurt, maple syrup and fresh berries!!! Love it so much already!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Yayyy sounds perfect, thank you so much Daria!
Renee says
I’m interested, but have to watch sodium. Would these work with Greek yogurt subbed for the cottage cheese? Giving a 5 star without even trying it out because I haven’t run across anything less from you yet.
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
You're so kind! Yes, I don't see why they wouldn't work with yogurt as I swap them often (or a low sodium cottage cheese?). Normally I'd say use 1/4 to 1/2 tsp salt with yogurt vs 1/8 but you can do whatever you need for sodium needs!
Renee says
Yay, thank you. I’m hoping to get both the pancakes and those yogurt bars in one of your recent posts, from the already open quart of yogurt in my fridge. Might have to do halves. Or go to the store.
rcmme says
i don't have any rolled oats in the pantry. can quick oats be substituted and the recipe would still turn out well?
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
I have only tested this recipe as written, I can't guarantee results with quick oats, sorry!
Susan says
I used quick oats! I didn't even pay attention to what oats it called for. It was amazing.
Nicole says
I’ve made these four or five times now…always perfect, delicious and worth the effort (which isn’t too much, just clean-up phobic over here).
Another winner - thank you!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Yay this made me so happy to read, thanks for letting me know Nicole!
Robin says
I'm getting ready to make them for the first time.And i'm hoping the cleanup won't be so bad.I'm using a silicone mat, we'll see. Very excited to try these pancakes.
Caroline says
I fell in love with the Trader Joe’s protein pancakes but don’t have one in my town. These were insanely easy and delicious!! I love that I presst had all the ingredients, too. Any tips if I actually want them a little denser/more moist?
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Yay so glad! If you'd be up for leaving a star rating with your comment I'd be SO grateful 🙂 You could try using full fat cottage cheese and/or mixing 1-2 tbsp melted butter into the batter!
Caroline says
Ope! I meant to! Somehow just skipped that part. I’d rate it a 10 ⭐️ if I could!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
You're the BEST!
Brie says
So easy and healthy! Don't feel heavy afterwards like I normally would with pancakes. Love that there isn't any white flour used! Doesn't have that traditional pancake taste to it, but just as good nonetheless
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Yay I'm so glad they were a hit, Bri!
Debbie says
I’m adding this one to my paprika app! So delicious, light and fluffy yet protein packed. Thank you Alexis!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
You made my day, thank you so much Debbie!
Carol says
My husband was skeptical, he always is when it comes to cottage cheese; He absolutely loved this. I'm a huge pancake fan just don't like the carbs so this hit the spot on all accounts. very good!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Yesss I'm thrilled to hear it, Carol! You're on a roll!
Maggie says
These pancakes are a family favorite! I’ve made my 4 year old so many different kinds of pancakes over the years, but these are the only ones he truly devours.
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Wow this is the ultimate compliment, thank you Maggie! How awesome that your 4 year old loves them, yay!!
Molly Adelman says
Love this recipe! I’ve made it twice, both times with a newborn strapped to me. Super easy and manageable! I make a big batch and cut it into slices to reheat in the microwave for my toddler’s breakfasts. Such a timesaver for busy mornings. Also, makes the whole house smell incredible!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Yayyy this made my day! It does smell weirdly good haha. You’re an incredible mom!
Dylan says
I made these yesterday and they came together in no time! I love the idea of baking them all on one pan. I doubled the recipe and used a standard baking sheet. They turned out fab 🙂
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
YESSS love it thanks so much Dylan!!
Taylor says
What are your thoughts on just blending everything all together??? Has anyone tried that?!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
I think that would work just fine, but I would let the batter sit for 10 minutes before baking to thicken (the heat and speed of blending will make a thinner batter and flatter pancakes if it doesn't thicken first). And I would still blend the oats first into flour so you don't over blend the mixture. LMK how it goes!