Light Cottage Cheese Pancakes (Printable)

Tender, fluffy pancakes made with creamy cottage cheese, perfect for a wholesome start to your day.

# What You Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 1 cup full-fat or low-fat cottage cheese
02 - 1/4 cup milk

→ Dry Ingredients

03 - 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
04 - 1 tablespoon sugar
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Eggs

07 - 3 large eggs

→ Flavorings

08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ For Cooking

09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or neutral oil, for frying

# How to Make:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together cottage cheese, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until mostly smooth with some small curds.
02 - In a separate bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
03 - Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to maintain a thick batter; avoid overmixing.
04 - Warm a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with butter or oil.
05 - Scoop approximately 1/4 cup batter per pancake onto the pan, spreading slightly if needed.
06 - Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until bubbles form on the surface and edges begin to set.
07 - Flip pancakes and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more until golden brown and fully cooked.
08 - Repeat with remaining batter, adding more butter or oil as necessary. Serve warm with desired toppings such as fresh fruit or syrup.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They're naturally protein-packed, so you'll stay full longer than with ordinary pancakes.
  • The cottage cheese creates an impossibly tender texture that feels luxurious without being heavy.
  • They come together in minutes, making them perfect for busy mornings when you still want something special.
02 -
  • Overmixing the batter is the biggest mistake—it develops gluten and makes them tough and bouncy instead of tender, so mix only until you see no dry flour streaks.
  • Medium heat is crucial; too high and the outside burns while the inside stays raw, too low and they never get crispy edges.
03 -
  • Add a pinch of cinnamon or a teaspoon of lemon zest to the batter for a completely different flavor profile that feels both cozy and bright.
  • High-protein cottage cheese makes them even more satisfying and helps them stay fluffy longer, so it's worth seeking out if you can find it.
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