These protein-rich Cottage Cheese Ice Creams Bars with no refined sugar added, are a delicious frozen treat. Made with cottage cheese, peanut butter, banana slices, honey and coated in dark chocolate for a guilt-free treat that is family-friendly and absolutely fantastic.
Some days demand ice cream bars made with cottage cheese and chocolate? Oh yeass!! So here is a frozen dessert treat recipe that is so yummy and being healthy, that’s a real bonus. Its hard to stop at eating just one of these bad boys, you might need another one (or two!)
I love this recipe because it is such a quick fix for a hot summer day. It is also fun for kids as it is something they can easily get involved in making and creating their own special masterpiece. Also, these types of desserts are perfect for fussier kids, an ideal one for ‘hiding’ certain ingredients like dare I say it…veges or some fruits so the ‘little chipmunks’ can have something extra without too much fuss.
These bars require very minimal ingredients so you can easily elevate your frozen treat game with this nutritious dessert, proving that healthy can also be delicious. I have opted for a slightly healthier option but of course, you can add a lot of other ingredients and make it to your liking. You can also pour them into popsicle moulds and put a stick in them which would make them easy to eat.
It’s shocking how good these are! If you let them thaw a little bit before snacking, they become the perfect texture. These babies are the perfect healthy sweet treat as the protein content will leave you feeling full while also satisfying and helping to curb sugar cravings while still being healthy!
That’s really the trick with eating healthier, its not limiting or denying yourself yummy things, its about ADDING good stuff so you don’t crave the not-so-good high sugar things that can wreck health.
Experience the delight of guilt-free indulgence with this frozen ice cream bar recipe – a creamy blend of deliciousness to keep in your freezer for an any time treat or snack. Whether you are looking to cut down on refined sugar, or are aiming for more protein in your diet, these cottage cheese ice cream bars are an excellent frozen treat that is delicious, but also good for you.
They really are great, and the bitterness of the dark chocolate is balanced out by the subtle sweetness coming from the honey and ripe banana slices. Plus, the combo cottage cheese and peanut butter is one of a kind. Cottage cheese has become a trendy ingredient nowadays, hasn’t it? But it’s such a good reason why, it’s a high-protein, low-sugar dairy that is versatile and full of all the goodness we need.
Cottage cheese has gotten a makeover from when our grandparents ate it with pears or pineapple on top. (Remember that?) Growing up in the 1980s, cottage cheese had a bad rep. I think because it was associated with “diet” food.
If you are like me – or most people- the texture of cottage cheese was just never appealing. But my, how things have changed. Cottage cheese is certainly having its moment right now. Thanks to social media, whipped cottage cheese is all the rage. Its just as it sounds, cottage cheese that’s been blended or whipped to a light, fluffy consistency- similar to yogurt. It has a delightful mouthfeel, with a perfect blend of creamy, tangy, and a little salty.
It’s also pretty versatile and works well with a ton of ingredients, like fresh fruit and nuts, just to name a few. The possibilities for customising a humble pot of blended cottage cheese into your new favourite high-protein dessert are almost endless. Because cottage cheese is relatively low in carbohydrates, many who are on the keto diet or another low-carb eating plan are including it in their diets.
Cottage cheese is really good for you. Not only is it full of protein and packed with nutrients, but it is low in calories. About 80% of the protein in cottage cheese is casein, which is slowly absorbed by your body, and is ideally consumed before sleep for muscle synthesis.
That makes cottage cheese the ideal evening snack. This cottage cheese ice cream has plenty of healthy protein, healthy fats and fibre as well as added vitamins and antioxidants, depending on what fruits and nuts you use as toppings.
To harness the true power of cottage cheese, you need to whip it. This goes especially for people – who believe they don’t like cottage cheese and I think the issue is related to texture. But when you give cottage cheese a trip through the food processor or blender, the textural conundrum goes away. All you are left with is a creamy, airy mousse like treat.
Say what you like about cottage cheese, but it’s truly a winner in my books! Similar to Greek yogurt, it has a thick, creamy texture and can be enjoyed sweet or savoury. It’s also high in protein, making it the perfect secret ingredient in my protein ice cream. And for those of you who want to hop on the cottage cheese train but can’t get over the curd texture, this recipe is for you!
Delicious serving suggestions:
As a summer treat: Perfect for hot days when you crave something creamy and cold.
With extra toppings: Add a drizzle of melted chocolate, more chopped peanuts, or even crushed graham crackers for extra texture.
For kids: A fun, hands-on treat that kids will love making and eating.
Party snacks: These bars are a fun, crowd-pleasing dessert to serve at gatherings. Top with sprinkles for a festive touch.
Post-workout snack: Packed with protein from the cottage cheese, they are a great way to refuel after a workout.
On-the-go dessert: Wrap them individually for an easy, grab-and-go frozen dessert.
Elevate your dessert game with a fusion of taste and wellness in every decadent bite. If you love ice cream bars, but not all the sugar, this is the healthy dessert recipe for you!
Healthy, balanced and simple! Doesn’t get any easier than that!
Cottage Cheese Protein Ice Cream Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese, full fat for a creamier texture
- 1/4 cup protein or collagen peptides powder
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 banana, sliced into 6 slices
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt - optional
Chocolate Coating
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
Cottage Cheese Filling
- Add the cottage cheese, protein powder, peanut butter and honey to a blender and blend until smooth.
Chocolate Coating
- Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in small dish and microwave with 20 second bursts stirring between each one until melted and smooth.Or use double boiler method - (pot of boiling water with a bowl resting on top) melt the chocolate chips and the coconut oil together.
Assembly
- Add one teaspoon of melted chocolate to a 6-hole silicone mould or a paper lined muffin pan, top it with a tablespoon of the cottage cheese mixture, a slice of banana and another layer of melted chocolate.Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the top if desired.Repeat with the rest of the ingredients.Freeze for one hour then serve.Store in freezer for up to 3 months.
If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, protein-rich, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites
