Can I make these pancakes without a blender?

Yes, absolutely! For the smoothest texture, I recommend blending the wet ingredients (cottage cheese, eggs, milk) until smooth before mixing with the Kodiak Cakes mix. However, if you don't mind a more rustic texture with small, melty pockets of cheese, you can simply whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until just combined. Both methods work, but blending gives you that restaurant-quality smoothness.

Why are my cottage cheese pancakes rubbery or dense?

The most common culprits are overmixing the batter and cooking on heat that's too high. For fluffy cottage cheese pancakes , mix just until combined, let the batter rest for 5-10 minutes before cooking, and use medium-low heat. A batter that's too thin or cooking temperature that's too high can also cause a dense, undercooked center with a burnt exterior.

Can I meal prep and freeze these pancakes?

Absolutely! This is one of my favorite features of this recipe. Cook the pancakes and allow them to cool completely to room temperature. To prevent sticking, flash-freeze them in a single, non-touching layer on a baking sheet for about an hour until solid. Once frozen, transfer the pancakes to a freezer-safe bag or container for storage. They'll keep for up to 3 months and reheat beautifully in the toaster.

What can I substitute for cottage cheese?

Ricotta cheese is the best 1:1 substitute and will give you a similarly mild, creamy, and fluffy texture. Plain Greek yogurt is another excellent high protein option that results in fluffy pancakes, though it may add a tangier flavor and create a slightly thicker batter. Both alternatives maintain the protein boost that makes this recipe so satisfying.

Kodiak Cakes Cottage Cheese Pancakes in 15 Minutes

Name: Kodiak Cakes Cottage Cheese Hack
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup Kodiak Cakes Power Cakes mix (the original flapjack mix works best); ½ cup low-fat cottage cheese (I prefer Good Culture or Friendship brands); ¼–⅓ cup milk or water (start with less, add more if needed); 1 large egg (optional, but adds 6g more protein); ½ tsp cinnamon or vanilla extract (for extra flavor depth); Butter or cooking spray for pan or waffle iron

Description

The ultimate protein-packed pancake hack that transforms your breakfast with fluffy, high-protein pancakes using cottage cheese and Kodiak Cakes mix for sustained energy and incredible texture.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup Kodiak Cakes Power Cakes mix (the original flapjack mix works best)
½ cup low-fat cottage cheese (I prefer Good Culture or Friendship brands)
¼–⅓ cup milk or water (start with less, add more if needed)
1 large egg (optional, but adds 6g more protein)
½ tsp cinnamon or vanilla extract (for extra flavor depth)
Butter or cooking spray for pan or waffle iron

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Instructions

Add cottage cheese, milk, and egg (if using) to your blender. Blend for 30-45 seconds until completely smooth.
Pour the blended mixture into a bowl and add the Kodiak Cakes mix. Stir gently just until combined – overmixing will make your pancakes tough and dense.
Let the batter rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the oats in the Kodiak mix to absorb the liquid, creating a better texture.
Preheat your skillet or waffle iron over medium heat and lightly grease with butter or cooking spray.
For pancakes, pour ¼ cup batter per cake and cook until bubbles form on the surface (about 2-3 minutes). Flip carefully and cook until golden brown, another 1-2 minutes.
For waffles, pour into preheated waffle iron and cook according to manufacturer’s instructions until golden and crisp, usually 3-4 minutes.
Serve immediately while hot with your favorite toppings.

Notes

The cottage cheese brand really matters here. Brands with smaller curds blend more smoothly. If using large curd cottage cheese, blend it a bit longer for the smoothest texture. Store leftover pancakes in refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Pan-fried
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 280
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 420mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 55mg