Cottage Cheese Strawberry Oats (Printable Version)

A creamy, protein-rich blend of oats, cottage cheese, and strawberries for a delicious morning meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Oats Base

01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup milk, dairy or unsweetened non-dairy alternative
03 - 2/3 cup cottage cheese, low-fat or full-fat
04 - 2 tablespoons chia seeds
05 - 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
06 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Strawberry Layer

07 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
08 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup, optional

→ Topping

10 - 2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs
11 - Additional sliced strawberries for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - In a medium mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, milk, cottage cheese, chia seeds, maple syrup or honey, and vanilla extract. Stir thoroughly until well incorporated and no dry oat clusters remain.
02 - In a separate small bowl, mash half of the fresh strawberries with lemon juice and optional maple syrup until achieving a slightly chunky texture. Fold in the remaining chopped strawberries to create a mixed berry layer.
03 - Divide the oat mixture evenly between two jars or airtight containers. Layer half of the strawberry mixture over the oats in each container. Top with remaining oat mixture to create distinct layers.
04 - Cover containers securely and refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours or overnight. This allows the oats to absorb the liquid and flavors to fully develop.
05 - Remove from refrigerator and gently stir to combine layers. Top with graham cracker crumbs and additional sliced strawberries if desired. Serve chilled directly from the container.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's genuinely no-cook and no-stress, which means you can make it while half-asleep and still feel like you're eating something special.
  • The cottage cheese gives you protein that actually keeps you full until lunch, not just until mid-morning.
  • It tastes indulgent enough to feel like dessert for breakfast, but clean enough that you won't feel guilty about it.
02 -
  • Don't skip mashing some of the strawberries—this releases their juice and sweetness throughout the whole bowl, making every bite taste intentional rather than just studded with fruit.
  • The cottage cheese chunks will soften and almost dissolve by morning, so you won't taste grittiness or chunks unless you want to; if you prefer a completely smooth texture, you can blend the cottage cheese with the milk before mixing.
03 -
  • If your overnight oats taste too thick in the morning, add a splash more milk and stir—they continue to thicken in the fridge, so you might need to loosen them up slightly before eating.
  • Layer your ingredients in clear jars or containers instead of bowls, and you'll actually want to eat them because they look beautiful and Instagram-worthy, which sounds silly but genuinely works.
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