6 Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Recipes: The Surprising Social Media Trend to Try This Summer

Cottage cheese has been a beloved choice for health-conscious individuals due to its nutritional value and reputation as an effective superfood for weight loss. Recently, it has gained tremendous popularity on TikTok and other social media platforms, serving as the primary ingredient in the latest craze: cottage cheese ice cream recipes.

Discover the simplicity of creating a delectable frozen treat with cottage cheese that not only satisfies your cravings but also contributes to your well-being. Explore this flourishing social media trend and uncover the fascinating insights. Plus, indulge in our assortment of healthy and delightful cottage cheese ice cream recipes below!

Is Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Healthy?

Cottage cheese is the main ingredient in cottage cheese ice cream, making it a healthier option than many other frozen desserts. Once referred to as “curds and whey, cottage cheese is a simple food that people have been making for generations. Unlike many other types of cheese, cottage cheese is not aged or hardened. It is fresh and creamy when you eat it.

According to the California Dairy Press Room and Resources, “Cottage cheese is made by adding an acid to pasteurized milk which causes a separation of the milk solids from the whey.” The acid is usually lactic acid from a bacteria culture or a “food-grade acid” like vinegar.

“After the curd is formed, it is gently cut into pieces that allow additional whey to drain from the curds,” explains the California Dairy Press Room and Resources. “The curds are further cooked and pressed gently to expel more whey. The curds are rinsed and salt is added.”

Cottage cheese is high in protein yet lower in fat and calories, making it a good food for weight loss. In fact, full-fat cottage cheese is only four-percent fat. (In comparison, other cheeses are around 30-percent fat.)

A half-cup serving of four-percent cottage cheese has 110 calories and 13 grams of protein. The curds come from casein, a protein that is especially useful for building and repairing muscles. That’s why so many exercise enthusiasts are eating cottage cheese these days. For the same reasons, it can be valuable for anyone starting a workout routine or trying to eat well to shed extra pounds.

Casein is one of two kinds of protein in dairy products. (Whey is the other.) Casein is absorbed by your body more slowly than other types of protein. That keeps you feeling full and energized long after you eat it.

Cottage cheese is also a rich source of calcium, a mineral that plays a key role in maintaining bone health and regulating blood pressure.

Making Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

We tasked our recipe developer with making several different cottage cheese ice cream recipes that fit into your Nutrisystem weight loss plan. After experimenting and taste testing recipes made with different types of cottage cheese, it was found that regular four-percent cottage cheese was the winner. Varieties with less fat than this contain too much water and the end result did not taste up to par.

There is no nutritional difference between large and small curd cottage cheese, but some people find the large curd tastes slightly less acidic. Either works for making ice cream.

Making the ice cream is so easy. No ice cream churn or any other special equipment is required. Along with the cottage cheese, all you need is a natural sweetener such as honey or maple syrup. You can also add in other tasty ingredients that you enjoy (more on that below!)

Simply put the ingredient in a blender or food processor, then whip until everything is smooth and creamy. It will be a somewhat thick liquid with no clumps remaining.

Pour the liquid into a freezer-safe plastic container and cover it tightly with a lid. Pop the container into the freezer for 90 minutes to a few hours, depending on the recipe. When you’re ready to enjoy, you may need to let it sit out at room temperature for 10 to 20 minutes before scooping if it’s completely frozen. 

Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Ideas and Toppings

Made with love, homemade cottage cheese ice cream offers a refreshing taste and a texture that resembles frozen yogurt. Customize your own unique flavors and indulge in a personalized ice cream experience. Check out these creative ideas to enhance your homemade delight.

1. Flavor Extracts and Spices

You can pump up the taste of your homemade ice cream without loading on extra calories. You need only a few drops of flavor extracts, such as vanilla, peppermint, coconut or lemon. There are so many different flavors, so choose your favorites and experiment!

Spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and ground ginger also give your ice cream a punch of flavor. These are all Free foods on the Nutrisystem weight loss plan, so you can use as much of them as you like.

2. Cocoa, Peanut Butter and Espresso Powders

You can include flavorful powders in your blend to heighten the taste of your ice cream. Unsweetened cocoa powder gives your ice cream a chocolaty flavor without adding sugar. Peanut butter powder works well because it has the flavor of your favorite creamy peanut butter, but far fewer calories because the fats have been removed. If you like coffee-flavored ice cream, add espresso powder.

3. Fresh and Frozen Fruit

Strawberries, blueberries or raspberries bring color, nutrition and natural sweetness to your dessert. Chopped cherries, diced peaches, mango chunks and pineapple pieces can be incorporated into the ice cream or used as a topping for the basic recipe. Blending a banana into the base will make it even more creamy and sweet.

4. Other Ice Cream Toppings

If you want to turn your cottage cheese ice cream into a sundae, you can use one or two of your daily Extras. Just be sure to stick to the serving sizes in the Nutrisystem Grocery Guide, such as a half-tablespoon of semi-sweet chocolate chips, two teaspoons of chocolate syrup, or two tablespoons of light whipped topping. With or without these extras, your cottage cheese ice cream will satisfy your cravings for a cool and sweet treat while fueling you up with powerful protein.

6 Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Recipes

Try the Nutrisystem taste-tested and approved cottage cheese ice cream recipes below to get started!

1. Strawberry Peach Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

Indulge in our delectable Strawberry Peach Cottage Cheese Ice Cream recipe! Experience the perfect blend of juicy peaches, ripe strawberries, and creamy cottage cheese for an unforgettable taste sensation. Your taste buds will crave more!

Get the Strawberry Peach Cottage Cheese Ice Cream recipe.

2. Churro Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

Try our scrumptious and nutritious Churro Cottage Cheese Ice Cream recipe! A velvety blend of cottage cheese, honey and vanilla extract, topped with a delightful cinnamon touch and graham cracker crunch. This trending dessert is the perfect balance of taste and nourishment.

Get the Churro Cottage Cheese Ice Cream recipe.

3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

Crafted with cottage cheese as the base and the irresistible blend of chocolate and peanut butter, this creamy and protein-packed ice cream alternative offers a guilt-free option for those seeking a sweet and satisfying delight. Satisfy your cravings with this heavenly dessert that combines the goodness of cottage cheese, chocolate and peanut butter!

Get the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cottage Cheese Ice Cream recipe.

4. Cherry Cheesecake Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

Enjoy a delightful harmony of a Cherry Cheesecake Cottage Cheese Ice Cream. This unique fusion of creamy cheesecake and refreshing ice cream creates a truly irresistible treat. Our recipe combines key ingredients like cottage cheese, honey, cream cheese, and frozen cherries, setting it apart from traditional ice cream recipes. Experience the luxurious creaminess and sweet sensation in every blissful scoop.

Get the Cherry Cheesecake Cottage Cheese Ice Cream recipe.

5. Chocolate Pistachio Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

Chocolate Pistachio Cottage Cheese Ice Cream is an exquisite dessert that will revolutionize your desserts. This unique recipe perfectly blends the decadent taste of cacao powder with the creamy goodness of cottage cheese, enhanced by the natural sweetness of honey and the satisfying crunch of pistachios. Elevate your dessert game with this irresistible treat!

Get the Chocolate Pistachio Cottage Cheese Ice Cream recipe.

6. Cookies and Cream Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

Experience the perfect fusion of creamy cottage cheese and the classic cookies and cream combo. This rich, velvety treat is simply irresistible. Once you try our exquisite Cookies and Cream Cottage Cheese Ice Cream dessert, there’s no turning back. Treat yourself to the best ice cream around!

Get the Cookies and Cream Cottage Cheese Ice Cream recipe.