Description
This Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bake with Strawberry and Banana is a wholesome, protein-packed morning treat. Combining the creaminess of blended cottage cheese with ripe bananas and sweet strawberries, this bake offers a deliciously moist texture and natural sweetness from maple syrup. Perfect for a nutritious start to the day, it showcases a simple baking method that yields a tender and flavorful breakfast dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Fruit Toppings
- 3 large strawberries, sliced (for the top)
- 1 large ripe banana, sliced (for topping)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 large ripe banana, smashed (for the batter)
- 1 cup 2% blended cottage cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg white
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk (or any type of milk)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, excluding the strawberries, then set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, thoroughly whisk together the vanilla extract, maple syrup, smashed banana, blended cottage cheese, egg, egg white, and almond milk until well combined.
- Combine Batter: Add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and stir gently until just combined, taking care not to overmix for a tender bake.
- Prepare for Baking: Pour the batter into the lined baking pan and evenly top with sliced strawberries and banana slices.
- Bake Covered: Cover the pan with foil and bake for 20 minutes to allow the bake to set gently.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the bake is cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm with butter and extra maple syrup if desired.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the cottage cheese with a plant-based alternative and use a non-dairy milk.
- Make sure the banana used in the batter is very ripe for natural sweetness and moisture.
- Covering the bake during the first stage helps retain moisture and ensures even cooking.
- The bake can be refrigerated and reheated for a quick breakfast the next day.
- You can add chopped nuts or seeds for added texture and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast Bake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cottage cheese breakfast bake, strawberry banana bake, healthy breakfast casserole, baked breakfast, protein breakfast, maple syrup breakfast
