For moments when a chocolate craving strikes and you need to satisfy your sweet tooth in a pinch, this single-serve recipe has you covered. This article explores the delicious world of cottage cheese keto brownies, offering recipes and tips to create a guilt-free treat that satisfies your sweet tooth while aligning with your dietary goals. These brownies combine the rich, fudgy texture of traditional brownies with the added benefits of high protein and low carbs, making them an ideal dessert for those following a keto or low-carb lifestyle.
Why Cottage Cheese in Brownies?
The idea of adding cottage cheese to brownies might sound unusual, but it's a game-changer. Cottage cheese adds extra moisture and richness, making the brownies much more fudgy. It’s also quite nifty that there is a little bit of extra protein. This simple addition elevates the texture and nutritional profile of your brownies, turning a classic dessert into a healthier indulgence.
Key Benefits of Cottage Cheese Keto Brownies
Single-Serve Satisfaction
The recipe makes a single serving, so it’s the perfect portioned dessert or sweet treat without having to make a full batch. Single-serve recipes are quick, require minimal ingredients, taste delicious, and leave you with only a fraction of the cleanup compared to making a full batch of something.
Balanced Nutrition
This brownie is higher protein and full of healthy fats from the cottage cheese and egg. Having this with the lower carb sweetener makes a good blood sugar balancing combo. These brownies are so healthy you could enjoy it for breakfast. Cottage cheese is naturally high in protein and it makes the brownies fudgy without the need for lots of butter.
Dietary-Friendly
This recipe is gluten-free, high protein, low carb, and refined sugar-free depending on the ingredients you use. These are my go-to treat whenever I'm craving all a classic fudge brownie, but want something that's healthy and made with wholesome ingredients.
Read also: Cottage Cheese Keto Guide
Simple and Convenient
You only need 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep for the recipe. The ingredients for these Cottage Cheese Brownies are simple and easy to find!
Core Ingredients Explained
Cottage Cheese
I love using the full-fat cottage cheese from Good Culture, it’s a weekly staple of mine. I used 4% small curd cottage cheese but 2% should also work. Blended until smooth, cottage cheese is the secret to these viral cottage cheese brownies! The cottage cheese mixture brings a creamy texture and a subtle tang that pairs perfectly with unsweetened cocoa powder or Dutch cocoa powder.
Cocoa Powder
This recipe uses unsweetened dutch process cocoa powder. I prefer using dutch process because I think it has a richer cocoa flavor and doesn’t taste as acidic. For that bold chocolate flavor.
Chocolate Chips
You can use regular chocolate or dairy-free, refined sugar-free depending on your preferences. Plus extra for topping.
Sweetener
I tested this with a keto-friendly brown sugar alternative made from erythritol. This recipe is sugar free, gluten free and high in protein.
Read also: Delicious Cottage Cheese Dishes
Almond Butter
Smooth and creamy almond butter with no added sugar or salt.
Coconut Flour or Almond Flour
Either low carb flour option works here. Coconut flour keeps it nut-free and boosts grams of fiber, while almond flour adds extra richness. You will need a lot more almond flour though to equal what I used for coconut flour.
Single-Serve Cottage Cheese Microwave Brownie Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Cottage Cheese Microwave Brownie is gluten-free, low sugar, low carb, and high in protein. It has that perfectly gooey, soft texture with a rich chocolate flavor that feel like everything you could ever want in an easy brownie recipe!
Ingredients
- Cottage cheese
- Cocoa powder
- Chocolate chips
- Low carb sweetener
- Egg
Instructions
- Lightly grease a mini ramekin or small dish with oil.
- In a high-speed blender, add all of the ingredients except for the chocolate chips and blend until smooth.
- Microwave for 1.5-2 minutes until you’ve reached your desired firmness.
- Let it sit a few minutes to harden and enjoy!
Tips for Perfection
- Silicone helps pour all of the batter without it sticking to a spoon.
- Pour the brownie mixture into the dish and top with chocolate chips.
- Microwave 1.5-2min until desired firmness.
- If you prefer a more set brownie, you can just cook it a little longer.
Fudgy Cottage Cheese Brownies Recipe
Ingredients:
- Cottage Cheese
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Maple Syrup
- Sugar (optional, if you want them a little sweeter)
- Almond Flour
- Cocoa Powder
- Baking Soda
- Chocolate Chips
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Blend the cottage cheese, eggs, vanilla, maple syrup, and sugar (optional, if you want them a little sweeter) until smooth.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda.
- Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined, ensuring no dry spots remain (the batter will be slightly thick). Avoid overmixing to keep the brownies fudgy!
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top if desired.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center still looks slightly underbaked.
4-Ingredient Keto Cottage Cheese Brownies Recipe
Ingredients:
- Cottage cheese
- Cocoa powder
- Brown sugar alternative (keto-friendly)
- Egg
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal later.
- Add all of the ingredients to a food processor and blend until completely smooth, scraping down the sides of the machine with a spatula as needed.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the brownies are mostly set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only with a few crumbs sticking to it. The brownies will initially rise very high during baking but will sink back down when they cool.
- Allow the brownies to cool slightly before cutting and serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Tips for Success:
- Take your time when blending.
- Don't over-bake, whether you bake in the air fryer or in the oven! It is totally fine for the center of the brownies to be jiggly. A toothpick inserted into the middle should come out wet. A toothpick inserted into the side should come out with a few crumbs sticking. The brownies set as they cool and become wonderfully fudgy.
- Check on the brownies towards the end of the baking time, especially if you air fry them. Since they are not supposed to rise, there is no risk of them collapsing.
Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Brownies
Why Air Fryer Brownies?
It's only 2 of us in the house now and I love making smaller portions. This recipe makes 4 generous servings.
Ingredients:
- Cottage cheese (low fat or full fat)
- Egg (large)
- Sweetener (granulated erythritol monk fruit blend)
- Peanut butter (smooth)
- Sea salt (optional)
Instructions:
- Put all ingredients into a food processor. Or, use a large mixing bowl and a handheld electric mixer.
- Blend until a smooth, thick batter forms. You may need to stop in between to scrape down the sides with a spatula to incorporate everything.
- Grease a 5x5 inch container and line with parchment paper.
- Fill the brownie batter into the container and smooth the top.
- Preheat the air fryer to 160C / 320F.
- Add the dish with the brownie batter to the air fryer basket and air fry for 19-22 minutes.
- Let the brownies come to room temperature and then cool them in the fridge. This allows them to set fully.
Important Considerations
Sweetener Options
I tested these brownies with Sukrin gold brown sugar alternative* which is made with erythritol. I have not tested with other low carb sugar alternatives.
Read also: Protein on Carnivore: Cottage Cheese
Variations and Substitutions
- Dairy-Free: I have not tried the recipe with any dairy-free cottage cheese alternatives.
- Egg-Free: No. The egg is necessary to bind the brownies. Egg replacers such as flax or chia do not work well. You would need to change the entire recipe to make egg free cottage cheese brownies.
- Allulose: I love allulose in cake recipes. However, my feeling is that it may not work well in this recipe. The brownies could become too soft. If you do want to use allulose or Bocha Sweet, consider adding 1-2 tablespoons of whey protein or almond flour or 1 tablespoon of coconut flour.
- Cottage Cheese Substitute: You can replace the cottage cheese with ricotta. I imagine that full fat Greek yogurt could also work.
Storing Your Brownies
Cottage cheese brownies stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They also freeze well for up to 3 months. I like to pre-slice them first.
Tips for the Perfect Texture
- Grainy Batter: Make sure your coconut flour is fine-textured.
- Wet Batter: Cottage cheese can add extra moisture.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy on its own or topped with Greek yogurt, some vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of nut butter, or a sprinkle chocolate chips.