I think I had a traumatic experience with cottage cheese as a kid.
I don’t remember it, but I’m convinced something must have happened. Because I’ve spent more hours than I’d care to admit racked with the irrational fear that the brand-new cottage cheese in my fridge was going to go bad. More specifically, that I would then accidentally eat it and it would taste disgusting.
Seriously, what? I’ve encountered more than one loaf of moldy bread or slimy spinach in Erik’s fridge, but those don’t freak me out neaaarly as much as the potential that cottage cheese holds. Yesterday, my coworker was talking to me about fears and how they’re irrational. Hers is swimming. Mine is cottage cheese.
I haven’t eaten it since I was about five, but I bought it on impulse after pinning several million cottage cheese pancake recipes. It has protein, and all. So then I put it in my fridge. And worried about eating it. Worried about wasting it. Worried that it would rot/mold/get freaky. When I finally opened it up (two days later). It was fine. Totally fresh and fine.
But I kind of had to hold my breath while I was eating it. There was nothing wrong with the flavor. I even kind of enjoyed the chunky texture and the cheesy taste. But eating it was, for whatever reason, a challenge.*
I half-heartedly snapped six photos of these after cooking them since I hadn’t planned on posting the recipe—I didn’t think they were going to be anything amazingly special. But the leftovers were surprisingly delicious. The cold, out-of-the-fridge texture is slightly custardy in spot, spongy in others, and strangely addicting; re-warmed, the cheese gets a little melty and gooey and they’re just surprisingly satisfying. Plus, I think everyone should have a cottage cheese pancake recipe in their repertoire. Or at least as a life option.
These are actually one of my favorite “healthy” pancakes I’ve made. Normally I’m a fan of fat, hefty, carb-heavy pancakes; these are the opposite. I was continually surprised by the cheesy taste every time I bit into one, which is dumb since these are essentially cooked cheese with some egg and a tiny bit of flour. They err on the side of a savory pancake, but their generally neutral flavor pairs awesomely with fruit. Cooking these is totally bizarre because the batter spreads and bubbles up and looks like a total disaster in the pan—but once cooked, the cheese curds disappear and you end up with these dappled-surfaced, lacy, airy, omelet-like creations. Of which I am a bewildered, but enthusiastic, fan.
Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Ingredients
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons oat flour
- 1 tablespoon whole wheat flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Whisk together all ingredients. If batter looks too runny for your liking, add more flour, a tablespoon at a time--it will at least need to hold a pancake shape in the pan. It should be an easily pourable consistency, but not super runny.
- Cook about 1/3 cup of batter at a time in a preheated, lightly greased frying pan over medium heat. Batter should hold its shape at first, then start to creep out and spread and bubble like crazyyy. Let it cook for about 2-4 minutes. When you can easily slide a spatula underneath the pancake, flip and cook an additional 2-3 minutes. Serve hot!
Notes
Did you try this recipe?
Tag @thepancakeprincess on Instagram!*I decided I’m never buying cottage cheese again, except that to make pancakes and also I’m still really intrigued by this lasagna recipe.
I never liked cottage cheese as a kid, I too had an irrational fear of opening the lid and finding cottage cheese gone horribly bad. Even when it looked and was fresh, that first spoonful for me is still always a small, tentative spoonful just to really make sure it hasn’t gone secretly mouldy haha now I’m trying to incorporate it more into my diet especially since it is a great source of protein. I can’t wait to try these pancakes!!
I looove this! SO yummy. Haha, you’re funny – it’s so weird sometimes where we get our fears from.
And I love all of your other recipes too, a lot of times I see things that look drooling delicious, but I never have the right ingredients at home, but with yours – whole different story! I actually do happen to always have oat flour at my house for example. So excited to start trying your recipes!
This made me laugh. Strangely enough, I was completely convinced that I hated everything about cottage cheese before this year, but I don’t think I’d ever even tried it… it’s strange, because I usually like everything, no matter how reputedly weird it is. Anyway, I ended up buying it once from a supermarket in London (I guess I was in the mindset of trying new things after moving to a new country) and now it’s one of my favourite snacks.
Anyway, this recipe looks like something I’d try for breakfast this week! I have a semi-secret obsession with unorthodox healthy pancake recipes, so this is right up my alley. Thanks!
I love cottage cheese and these pancakes looks and sounds healthy AND delicious! 🙂
Haha I never liked the stuff as a kid either! I don’t usually buy it but I like getting it with fruit on a salad bar. Great idea adding it to pancakes!
I actually like Cottage Cheese, but I rarely have any in the house. I prefer it to yogurt as a breakfast snack with fruit.
My weird cottage cheese story: I was in college, and in a cab coming home from a party late one night. I was with friends, and when I saw a 24 hour Shaws Grocery Store I made them stop the cab so we could go in. I was like “have you EVER been to a grocery store at THREE IN THE MORNING??” I was very drunk. We wandered the store, like a bunch of drunken fools, and I ended up buying FIVE CONTAINERS OF COTTAGE CHEESE. I then ate an entire tub of it on the cab ride back to my dorm. No idea why I bought so many, apparently my alcohol-soggy brain had some grand plan that it neglected to remind me of the next day. Also I forgot to put them in the fridge, so they all spoiled overnight.
Clearly I should have made these pancakes.
Yes! I definitely prefer yogurt over cottage cheese with fruit, for breakfast, pretty much any time of day.
OH MY GOD that is hilarious!!! Wow. That is impressive. And a super healthy choice for a drunk person! My five-container purchase of choice would definitely not be as virtuous. Ahaha. Thanks for that!
Aw, hon! What a horrible thing to be scared of! I haven’t eaten cottage cheese for years either, but I’m a regular consumer of ricotta and I tend to lump them in the same category (do you feel the same anxiety about ricotta?). Soft curd cheese can be a bit dicey but I tend to trust my stomach acid and its ability to fry most bad bugs in sight. Good stomach acid *pats stomach*. This recipe looks lovely. I’ve never thought of adding cottage cheese to pancakes but I may have to try these, seeing as they won you over! xx
Ooh no, luckily (or unluckily for my waist line), I love ricotta!! Hahaha you are hilarious! I suppose I should trust my stomach more…except that I got food poisoning sort of recently so I guess I’ve been extra wary lately. And thank you! <3
I really like cottage cheese pancakes! I don’t go hungry 5 minutes after eating them 🙂
yes, they definitely pack a good dose of protein over the normal carb-bomb pancakes!
Your site is beautiful! these pancakes look gorgeous! I’m always a little suspicious of cottage cheese too!
Thank you so much Jenny! I think your site is just brilliant!
I think I had the same traumatic experience except with those mini Babybel cheese bites…hehe, weird I know. Way to go on making these pancakes with cottage cheese though. That’s a great first step to getting over your fears 🙂 These pancakes look awesome and I love that you topped them with fresh blueberries! Hope you have a great weekend!
Aha that’s so funny!! What happened? Someone else said they’re now traumatized over goat cheese–so weird how cheese can be so delicious yet scarring lol. Thanks so much Kelly! 🙂
This is one of the healthiest pancakes I have seen come out of the pancake princess’ kitchen and they look really good. I think they could go either savoury or sweet just depending on your mood. Have a super weekend. Take Care, BAM
Haha thanks Bam! They totally can–I could see this being really good with some eggs or veggies on top! More protein for your hungry teenage boys 🙂
Pretty pancakes! I used to love cottage cheese but now…eh not so much. I dunno. *shrug*
Yum! Love the fresh blueberries as well.
I must’ve had a bad experience with cottage cheese as well because I just can’t bring myself to eat it. There’s something about the texture and the smell that just turns me off. Now that I have this pancake recipe though, I might have to give it a go! I bet it makes for some moist pancakes. Happy Friday Erika! 😉
Aha! A kindred cottage-cheese-fearing spirit! Haha. Yeah, it doesn’t actually taste bad, there’s just something about it that’s like…ICK. But in pancakes I can totally deal! Hope you had a great weekend 🙂
Haha I’m so glad you got over your irrational fear with these delicious pancakes 🙂
I recently had a bad experience with goats cheese… Can’t look at the stuff anymore without throwing up.. Help? 😛
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
P.S. To prepare for my exams now I won’t be commenting for around 4 weeks – See you in a month my friend 🙂
Oh gosh that’s so sad!!! I love goat cheese! What happened?!
Ah well, you can tell me once you’re done with exams–good luck!!! (I feel like you are always studying hard, my friend!)
Love the opening line 😉
I think this sounds perfectly wonderful – and as always, beautiful photos!
Thanks for the cottage cheese inspiration!
Haha thank you!! I always appreciate feedback on my writing–you never know when you come off sounding dumb, right?
I agree that everyone should have a cottage cheese pancake recipe! I’m so glad you had enough courage to buy that container of cottage cheese and share this yummy recipe! Stay strong girl!
Haha I’m so glad you agree and thanks for the kind words!