Rich, fudgy chocolate brownies made with cottage cheese and banana. They are gluten-free, high in protein, low calorie and ready in just 20 minutes.

Growing up, brownies were a special treat in our house, but as I grew older and became more mindful of the ingredients in my food, I started to drift away from brownies.

But truth be told, I missed them.

I wanted to create a version of this classic dessert that didn’t rely on processed flours or tons of sugar. But that still delivered that nostalgic feeling of homemade brownies.

These flourless cottage cheese brownies deliver all the rich, fudgy chocolate flavor you (and I) love, made with wholesome ingredients.

Unlike traditional brownies loaded with butter and refined flour, this version relies on cottage cheese to add moisture and protein, while the mashed bananas add natural sweetness.

The results are brownies that deliver more protein (7 grams per serving) than traditional versions.

And, the best thing?

You don’t need a mixer or any complicated techniques to make these. You just need to mix and place the ingredients in the oven.

In a matter of 20 minutes, these delicious ingredients create the ultimate brownie recipe.

Ingredients and Substitutes

Egg (1) – Replace with one flax egg (1 tbsp of ground flaxseeds with 2.5 tbsp of water) if you want to make a plant-based option. 

Banana, mashed (1) – If you don’t want to use bananas, you can replace them with ¼ cup of unsweetened apple sauce.

Cottage cheese, low fat, blended (½ cup) – Swap with ½ cup of Greek yogurt or ½ cup of blended silken tofu to create a plant-based brownie.

Honey (2 tbsp) – Substitute with maple syrup or agave nectar. If you want to reduce the carb content, use a sugar-free sweetener.

Cocoa powder (½ cup)

Baking powder (½ tsp)

TOPPING

Almond flakes –You can replace with chopped walnuts, pecans, or sunflower seeds.

Sea salt flakes –If you don’t have sea salt, sprinkle a bit of table salt or pink Himalayan salt.

How to Make Flourless Cottage Cheese Brownies

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease an oven-safe meal prep container (I used a 5×5’) with oil or butter. Grab a bowl and add the egg, mashed banana, cottage cheese, and honey.

Step 2. Give the ingredients a good stir.

Step 3. Add the baking powder and give it another stir.

Step 4. Add the cocoa.

Step 5. Give the ingredients another stir to create a smooth batter.

Step 6. Pour the batter into the meal prep container and level it out using a spatula.

Step 7.  Sprinkle the almond flakes on top.

Step 8. Place the brownies in the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes. Once it’s cooked, let it cool down and then add the sea salt flakes.

When you want to have it, slice it into squares or rectangles and enjoy.

My Tips & Tricks

1. Make it Extra Silky: Blend the cottage cheese until it’s completely smooth to avoid a grainy texture. Also, make sure you sift the cocoa before adding it to avoid any lumps.
2. Use the Right Pan: If you want thicker brownies, use a 5×5 inch pan (like I did), but if you love thin brownies, try using an 8×8 pan.
3. Let it Cool Down: Allow the brownie to cool down completely before taking it out of the pan to prevent crumbling.

My Storage Tips

I know it’s going to be difficult to have any leftovers, but if you do, it’s important you know how to store them properly.

Place any brownies in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 7 days. Since they are made with cottage cheese, it’s important you keep them in the fridge and not at room temperature.

If you want to keep them for longer, place them in a freezer-safe bag and keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When you want to have them again, place them in the microwave for a couple of seconds to warm them up a bit.

Other Cottage Cheese Desserts

• Cottage Cheese Cinnamon Rolls
• Flourless Chocolate Cake with Cottage Cheese
• Cottage Cheese Protein Cake