Bring the tropics to your breakfast table with this vibrant cottage cheese fruit bowl! Cottage cheese is blended with coconut yogurt and a touch of honey, then topped with tropical fruit, lime zest, macadamia nuts, and coconut chips. It's refreshingly creamy, packed with satisfying protein and vegetarian friendly.
Cottage cheese, but make it tropical.
Cottage cheese and fruit is a classic combination, but let’s face it—it could use a glow-up✨. This fresh take mixes cottage cheese with coconut yogurt and honey to mellow its tang, then layers on freshly sliced banana and mango, macadamia nuts, coconut, and a showering of lime zest.
The result? A light, yet luscious, healthy tropical breakfast that gives fancy resort vibes🌴. Best yet, it’s speedy to make (all but five minutes!) and packed with 20g of protein per serve, making it a deliciously satisfying way to start the day.
As a Registered Nutritionist, I’m all for quick breakfast ideas with protein—especially when they come together in minutes, like my PB & Jelly Greek Yogurt Protein Bowl. If you’re used to reaching for Greek yoghurt, consider cottage cheese another protein-packed alternative, with a slight savoury edge.
Ingredient Line-Up
- Cottage cheese. I recommend ‘lite’ or low-fat here. I’m usually a full-fat dairy girl, but since we’re mixing it with coconut yoghurt, a lite option helps boost the protein-to-fat ratio—meaning more protein per serve.
- Coconut yoghurt. To oomph the tropical flavours and add creaminess back into the cottage cheese. Go au naturel with plain, otherwise vanilla is delish.
- Runny honey. Just a smidge, to balance the savoury notes of cottage cheese.
- Tropical fruit. Sweet banana and juicy mango are my go-to, but pineapple, papaya, or passionfruit all work a treat.
- Coconut chips. For a bit of crunch and subtle sweetness. Shredded or desiccated coconut works if that’s what’s on hand.
- Macadamia nuts. Buttery, crunchy, and oh-so-tropical. They add a lovely texture contrast—swap in other nuts if preferred.
- Lime zest. A quick grate overtop pairs perfectly with the tropical fruit and brightens up the whole bowl.
Step-by-Step: Cottage Cheese with Fruit
Kitchen Tips
Keen to give this tropical fruit bowl a try? Here are my tried-and-tested tips:
- Choose ripe, sweet fruit. Their natural sweetness and juicy texture pair perfectly with cottage cheese. Slightly underripe fruit can taste tart and firm, which doesn’t gel well with cottage cheese’s slight tang.
- Keep everything bite-sized. Chop your fruit bite-sized for the perfect balance in every mouthful.
- Drain excess water from cottage cheese. If you open the tub and notice some water on top, simply pour it off or give it a quick stir to keep things creamy and delicious.
- Taste and adjust. Before diving in with a spoon, take a moment to taste and tweak. Add more honey or fruit for sweetness, or a touch more lime zest for acidity—tailor it to your tastebuds.
Serving & Storage
Enjoy freshly made for the best flavour and texture. It makes a great breakfast, or halve the portion for a wholesome snack.
If prepping ahead, store the cottage cheese-yoghurt mix in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days, adding toppings just before serving. It might release a bit of liquid as it’s stored, but it’s an easy fix—simply give it a quick stir before serving to restore it to its creamy glory🤙.
Thanks for reading! Enjoying the tropical vibes? Try N&T’s Tropical Fruit Trail Mix with Coconut🌴. Perfect for a healthy snack!
Tropical Cottage Cheese Bowl (20g+ Protein)
Rating:
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup lite cottage cheese
- ¼ cup plain or vanilla coconut yoghurt
- 1 tsp runny honey
- 1 small banana
- ½ cup diced fresh mango
- 1 Tbsp macadamia nuts
- 1 Tbsp coconut chips
- A sprinkle lime zest
Method:
- Add to a bowl the cottage cheese, coconut yoghurt and honey. Mix together.
- Peel and slice banana into coins. Chop up fresh mango into bite-sized cubes.
- Add to a bowl the cottage cheese-coconut mixture. Add the fresh fruit overtop, followed by the macadamia nuts and coconut chips.
- Finish with a grating of lime zest. Enjoy!
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If you enjoyed this dish, please consider giving it a star rating when you post a comment. Star ratings help others discover my recipes online (and your reviews make my day! 🙂 ). Happy cooking and baking. Danijela x
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