High-Protein Banana Pudding With Cottage Cheese

This cottage cheese banana pudding is smooth, cool and easy to layer into individual cups. Blending the cottage cheese with Greek yogurt creates a creamy base, while ripe bananas and vanilla provide the familiar banana-pudding flavor. Chill it before serving so the texture thickens and the layers settle.

Recipe details

Makes: 4 servings | Prep: 15 minutes | Chill: 2 hours

Ingredients

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 ripe bananas, divided
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds, optional for a thicker pudding
• 12 vanilla wafers or crisp gluten-free cookies, divided
• Extra banana slices and cinnamon, for topping

Instructions

1. Add cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, 1 banana, maple syrup, vanilla and lemon juice to a blender. Blend for 45 to 60 seconds, stopping to scrape down the sides, until completely smooth.
2. For a thicker texture, stir in chia seeds and refrigerate the mixture for 15 minutes before layering. Taste and add a little more sweetener if needed.
3. Slice the remaining banana. In four jars or glasses, layer a few cookie pieces, pudding and banana slices. Repeat the layers, finishing with pudding.
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Add extra cookie pieces, banana and cinnamon just before serving so the topping stays crisp.

Getting a smooth texture

A high-speed blender makes the creamiest pudding, but a food processor also works. Blend longer than you think you need; tiny cottage cheese curds can remain if the mixture is under-blended. Use very ripe bananas for sweetness and a strong banana flavor.

Variations

For a chocolate version, blend in 1 tablespoon cocoa powder. For a peanut-butter banana cup, swirl in 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter per serving. To make it gluten-free, use certified gluten-free cookies or skip them and add chopped toasted nuts.

Storage

Keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The banana layers may darken slightly, but lemon juice helps slow browning. For the freshest presentation, add banana slices and cookies just before serving. This pudding is not ideal for freezing because thawing changes its creamy texture.

FAQ

Can I taste the cottage cheese? When blended thoroughly with banana, yogurt and vanilla, the flavor becomes mild. Start with a small amount of vanilla and adjust to taste.

Can I make one large dish? Yes. Layer everything in a small dish, cover and chill. Add the crisp cookie topping just before serving.