Q1: Can you actually taste the cottage cheese in this parfait?

No, not at all! That's the absolute magic of this recipe. When you use a high-speed blender, the cottage cheese curds are completely puréed, resulting in a perfectly smooth, creamy, and velvety texture. The final "cheesecake" base has a lovely, mild tang, very similar to a real cheesecake, with no hint of a cottage cheese flavor or texture.

Q2: Do I have to use the chia seeds?

No, the chia seeds are optional, but they are highly recommended! They don't change the flavor, but they absorb some of the liquid in the mixture and will help to thicken your parfait into a more luxurious, thick, and pudding-like consistency as it sits in the refrigerator. Plus, they add a great boost of fiber and healthy fats.

Q3: How do I make my parfait last all week for meal prep?

These parfaits will stay fresh and delicious in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To keep the granola from getting soft, the best method is to layer only the cheesecake mixture and the strawberries in your jars. Then, you can either store your granola in a separate small container or simply add a fresh sprinkle on top each morning right before you eat it.

Q4: Is this breakfast parfait actually healthy?

Yes! This parfait is a fantastic, healthy breakfast choice. A single serving is packed with about 18 grams of protein , primarily from the cottage cheese, which is fantastic for keeping you feeling full and satisfied all morning long. It's naturally sweetened with just a touch of maple syrup and gets lots of fiber and vitamins from the fresh fruit and chia seeds.

Q5: What kind of cottage cheese is the best to use?

For the richest, creamiest texture, a whole milk (full-fat) cottage cheese , often labeled as 4% or 5% milkfat, is the best choice. However, the recipe also works wonderfully with a low-fat (2%) cottage cheese , as the original recipe notes. A small-curd variety will also blend up a little more easily than a large-curd one.

Easy 5-Minute High-Protein Strawberry Cheesecake Parfait

A healthy, high-protein breakfast parfait that tastes like strawberry cheesecake. The recipe features a creamy base made by blending cottage cheese with maple syrup, vanilla, and optional chia seeds until smooth. This cheesecake-like mixture is then layered in a glass or jar with fresh strawberries and crunchy granola. It can be enjoyed immediately or stored in the fridge or freezer for meal prep.

Author: Grace
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Category: Breakfast
Method: Blending, Layering
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup cottage cheese
2 Tablespoons chia seeds (optional)
2–3 Tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup fresh strawberries
1/4 cup granola

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Instructions

In a blender, combine the cottage cheese, optional chia seeds, maple syrup, and vanilla.
Blend until the mixture is completely smooth.
In a glass or jar, create layers with the blended cottage cheese mixture, fresh strawberries, and granola.
Add any additional desired toppings.
Enjoy immediately, or cover and store overnight in the refrigerator for a prepped breakfast.

Notes

You can substitute Greek yogurt for the cottage cheese if preferred.
Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Freezer Storage: Store the parfaits (without granola) in small mason jars with airtight lids for up to 2 weeks. To eat, thaw at room temperature for 20-25 minutes for an ice cream texture, or thaw in the fridge overnight.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 Parfait
Calories: 279
Sugar: 22 g
Sodium: 468 mg
Fat: 7 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
Trans Fat: 0.01 g
Carbohydrates: 36 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 18 g
Cholesterol: 5 mg

Find it online: https://www.eatswithsoul.com/protein-strawberry-cheesecake-parfait/