Ready to shake up breakfast or afternoon snack time? Chili Crisp Cottage Cheese Toast to the rescue. This simple DELICIOUS recipe will change everything you thought you knew about cottage cheese, this isn't merely a healthy high-protein cheese, it is your new favorite breakfast, snack, and lunch.
If you like this and want more raw veggies try my healthy and gorgeous snack board and if you are loving the cucumber and radish combination, don't miss out on my easy Cucumber and radish salad.
Cottage cheese is having a moment and rightfully so. While some associate it with a diet fad of the 50's through 80's there's a reason it was popular then and is making a comeback now. Cottage cheese is low in sugar, high in protein, and extremely versatile lending itself to both sweet and savory recipes. It's also filling and satisfying while remaining one of the healthiest cheeses, nutrient-dense, and loaded with vitamin B. No wonder, #cottagecheese has over 223M views on TikTok.
I don't like to be a know it all (lies, I love it) but I've been quietly loving cottage cheese (as a nutritionist!) for the last decade.
Speaking of the 80's, some of you may remember the Breakstone's cottage cheese commercials featuring the ‘demanding' Sam Breakstone, a fictional comedic character who not only ‘demanded' the highest standards of his cottage cheese but was also constantly attacked by his dog.
If you are interested in learning more about the health benefits of cottage cheese, check out this ‘health essentials' breakdown from the Cleveland Clinic.
You'll Love this Recipe
The best part of cottage cheese toast is that it can be made with a few simple ingredients found at any grocery store. It's a great way to work some fresh produce into a simple snack. I love this as an easy breakfast or a quick afternoon snack.
- High protein meal! Did you know that cottage cheese has 12 grams of protein per serving (1/2 cup) This cottage cheese toast recipe is an awesome way to enjoy a high-protein snack or as an easy breakfast.
- Savory goodness! Most cottage cheese recipes pair sweet flavors creating a sweet cottage cheese toast. I love creating savory toasts. Imagine ricotta cheese, plus savory = YES!
- An avocado toast alternative. We all love avocado toast but sometimes you need to shake things up. Whether you are using savory toppings like this or going sweeter with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, sliced fruit, and a sprinkle of chia seeds. Either is a great option for an easy meal or a tasty snack. There are so many cottage cheese toast ideas to play around with.
Let's Get Cooking!
Ingredients and Helpful Substitution Tips
- Bread – Use the best bread you can find. You want something hearty that can support the weight of the ingredients. My preference is sourdough bread, but you can certainly use gluten-free toast, whole-grain bread, wheat bread, or sweet potato toast if you are looking for a grain-free option.
- Fresh tomatoes – Cherry or grape tomatoes to make small tomato slices. I prefer smaller over larger tomato slices as this allows you to get a bite without inadvertently pulling off other toppings. Smaller tomatoes help maintain the architecture and construction of the toast, bite after bite. (can we all pause and acknowledge that I said “architecture and construction of the toast? ok thanks)
- Plain Cottage cheese – By far my favorite brand is Good Culture cottage cheese. It is a medium curd, rich, and creamy cottage cheese. You can use whatever cottage cheese you prefer, small curd, whipped cottage cheese, or any brand you like.
- Scallions/green onions- Milder and sweeter than larger sliced onions, they also add texture, color, and a savory sharpness.
- Cucumber slices – Low-seeded Persian cucumbers work best. Persian cucumbers are known for their mild flavor, narrow diameter, and crisp thin skin. Because they are less watery than regular cucumbers, they deliver a clear concentrated flavor and just the right amount of texture.
- Radishes – Radishes add a crispy zest that plays a perfect counterpoint to the cottage cheese.
- Seasoning – Pinch of salt and black pepper, the black pepper is essential here.
- Chili Crisp – I have fallen in love with this exciting condiment of oil, crispy fried garlic and shallots, hot pepper, and spices. It works on so many things (I'm looking at you grilled chicken) and is a really fun left-turn from hot honey. I still love ya hot honey.
- Olive oil – Extra virgin. I always prefer olive oil or avocado oil, particularly for low-heat cooking. Because they are not subjected to the same level of processing as canola or vegetable oils they are healthier choices. I also love the rich flavor of good olive oil. The importance of the quality of the ingredients goes up, when there are fewer ingredients in a dish and when they are minimally cooked. In a dish like this, most of your flavor is going to come from the ingredients themselves as opposed to complex seasonings and a cooking technique.
Detailed measurements and ingredients can be found within the recipe card at the end of this post.
Tools
- Knife
- Skillet or frying pan
- Cutting board
How to Make Cottage Cheese Toast
- Step 1: Thinly slice tomatoes, cucumbers, and radishes. Chop scallions/green onions.
- Step 2: Cut bread slices approximately 1/2 inch thick. (You want the slices of bread to be sturdy enough to support the weight of the toppings).
- Step 3. Apply a drizzle of olive oil over slices of bread and lay onto a skillet to toast with olive oil side down over medium-high heat. Drizzle oil on the side of the toast facing up. Flip when golden brown on the bottom and toast the opposite side.
- Step 4: Stir cottage cheese for an even consistency. Spread a thick layer of cottage cheese onto the toasted bread. Top with slices of cucumber, tomato, and radish. Season with salt and pepper.
- Step 5: Drizzle with chili crunch.
- Step 6: Sprinkle with chopped green onion/scallions to serve.
Tips for Making the Best Cottage Cheese Toast
- Use thick sliced bread – you need a good base to hold all of the toppings
- Toasting is necessary – We love toast for that crunch factor, but you also need the structure of toasted bread to hold all of this together. Cottage cheese is not as sturdy as say avocado, make sure your bread is toasted.
- Layer architecture – The base should be cottage cheese, and then layer your thinly sliced veggies on top
- Flavor factor – Don't skip a drizzle of extra flavor on top, in this recipe I use chili crunch (also called chili crisp) but you could try a drizzle of balsamic or olive oil or hot honey.
Storage, Reheating, and Freezing Instructions
- STORAGE – You can chop all the vegetables ahead of time and store them in air-tight containers until you are ready to assemble. I would not recommend pre-constructing as the ingredients and the bread will become soggy
- REHEATING – NA
- FREEZING – Not recommended
Abra's Culinary Tips!
Cottage cheese is a milk product that has been curdled for a pleasant mild flavor. The texture of the curds has been a challenge for some people but actually works to enhance this easy recipe, creating little pockets of contrast between airiness and density with cheesy crevices for all the flavors of the toppings to sink into and meld together in each bite. If you prefer, you can smooth cottage cheese by giving it a whip through the blender or food processor for a texture similar to ricotta cheese.
If you think you are one of those cottage cheese haters, I have a tip that is going to change your whole perspective. Make whipped cottage cheese! By whipping it you completely change the texture of cottage cheese into something much more like its Italian cousin, whipped ricotta cheese. By giving it a zip in the blender or a small food processor the texture transforms from something with a pronounced curd to an airy creamy cottage cheese.
FAQ
The beauty of cottage cheese toast is in its versatility. You can make savory toasts or sweet toasts; breakfast toasts or healthy tasty snack toasts. This fresh cheese toast can be prepared in different ways and plays host to all types of ingredients like vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains. Drizzles and dollops of balsamic vinegar or fig jam make a great addition for a healthy sweet option. Play around and experiment to find what makes your favorite slice of cottage cheese toast.
Whipped cottage cheese is cottage cheese that has simply been passed through a blender or food processor to create a smoother texture and incorporate air and fluffiness.
Whipped cottage cheese is cottage cheese that has simply been passed through a blender or food processor to smooth out the texture and incorporate air. They are similar but not the same. Both are fresh cheese made with cows' milk. Whipped cottage cheese is a little more robust, saltier, and tangier than ricotta's mild flavor and tends to be smoother with less graininess than ricotta. Both can be used in a variety of savory and sweet recipes but are not always interchangeable.
Does Honey pair well with Cottage Cheese?
I get asked this a lot so while I did not use honey in this recipe, I would encourage you to do so as you start to make your own versions of cottage cheese toast. Honey is a natural mate to cottage cheese. Hot honey is also a great pairing and will give you some extra pizazz. Be aware, hot honey can pack a good punch.
Dietary Modifications
This recipe is vegetarian
- Gluten-Free – Use GF toast
More Breakfast Recipes You Will Love
Blueberries and Cream Blended Oatmeal
I can’t wait for you to try this! When you make it, snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @abrapappa or use the hashtag #abraskitchen so I can feature your photo!
If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below. I love to hear from people who’ve made my recipes!
Cottage Cheese Toast
Equipment
- 1 Knife
- 1 skillet or frying pan
Ingredients
- 2 slices sourdough toast
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup mixed sliced veggies cucumber, tomato, scallions, radish
- 1 tbsp chili crunch
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 pinch flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Thinly slice tomatoes, cucumbers, and radishes. Chop scallions/green onions.
- Cut bread slices approximately 1/2 inch thick. (You want the slices of bread to be sturdy enough to support the weight of the toppings).
- Heat a skillet over medium high heat (I use a cast iron skillet) Apply a drizzle of olive oil over slices of bread and lay onto the hot skillet to toast with olive oil side down over medium-high heat. Drizzle oil on the side of the toast facing up. Flip when golden brown on the bottom and toast the opposite side.
- Stir cottage cheese for an even consistency. Spread a thick layer of cottage cheese onto the toasted bread. Top with slices of cucumber, tomato, and radish. Season with salt and pepper.
- Drizzle with chili crunch.
- Sprinkle with chopped green onion/scallions to serve.
