Full of rosemary, lemon, and Parmesan flavors, these savory scones are perfect for your breakfast or an afternoon treat. They give you 10 grams of protein per serving and are so buttery you’ll keep saying “just one more.”

99% of my breakfasts are sweet.

But it’s that 1%, when I want something savory, that I often don’t know what to do. I can have eggs and toast once in a while, but after a couple of times, it gets boring.

I couldn’t stop thinking about the idea of a warm, flaky scone with the right savory flavors and just a bit of zest.

I know what I had to do… my famous Parmesan cottage cheese scones. Making them would give me all those incredible flavors but without having to spend hours in the kitchen baking.

These scones are a perfect treat when you want something a bit healthier than traditional bakery scones. Since they are made with cottage cheese, not only does it make the texture incredibly buttery, but it also gives you 10 grams of protein per serving.

I typically have them with a couple of scrambled eggs and veggies on the side when I want to boost my protein intake, or with some avocado slices for something creamier.

Ingredients and Substitutes

All-purpose flour (2 cups) -You can replace it with whole wheat flour to make the recipe higher in fiber or use a gluten-free option.

Baking powder (2 tsp)

Parmesan cheese, finely grated (⅔ cup) – Swap with Pecorino Romano or Asiago for a similar texture and flavor.

Fresh rosemary, finely chopped (2 tbsp) – You can use dried rosemary if you don’t have fresh. While you can use thyme if you don’t have rosemary, I recommend keeping this herb.

Lemon zest, grated (1 tsp) – You can also use lime zest.

Sea salt (½ tsp)

Black pepper (¼ tsp)

Unsalted butter, very cold (½ cup) – Replace with ghee for a stronger flavor and creamier texture, or you can use hard coconut oil.

Cottage cheese, blended smooth (¾ cup) – Substitute with ricotta cheese or plain Greek yogurt.

Liquid honey (2 tbsp) – Maple syrup or agave nectar are great alternatives.

Whole milk (2-4 tbsp) – Swap with heavy cream, half-and-half, or a non-dairy option like almond or oat milk.

How to Make Parmesan Cottage Cheese Scones

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Place the butter in the freezer for 5-10 minutes

Grab a large bowl and add the flour, baking powder, Parmesan, rosemary, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.

Step 2. Whisk all the ingredients together.

Step 3. Remove the butter from the freezer and grate it straight into the dry ingredients.

Step 4. Start tossing the butter with your finger until you start to see crumbs forming.

Step 5. Add the blended cottage cheese and mix it well into the dough.

Step 6. Now, add the honey.

Step 7. Mix everything until you get a rough dough. If you feel it’s too dry, you can add 1-2 tbsp of milk.

Step 8. Place the dough into a floured surface.

Step 9. Gently press it together, then fold it over itself once (or twice), making sure you rotate the dough between folds. You can stop as soon as it holds together.

Step 10. Shape the dough into a flat circle (around 6-7 inches wide).

Step 11. Cut the circle into 8 triangles.

Step 12. Transfer them onto the baking sheet. Just make sure you leave enough space in between them and brush the tops with some milk.

Step 13. Bake the scones for 20-22 minutes or until they are golden on top.

Step 14. Remove them from the oven and let them cool down on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes.

How I Would Modify This Recipe

• Make it Spicy: I love heat. Try adding some diced pickled jalapeños or a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the dry mix.
• Add Meat: Fold in ¼ cup of cooked, crumbled bacon or diced ham when you are adding the cottage cheese and honey.
• Sun–Dried Tomatoes: Another great add-in is sun-dried tomatoes. Just make sure you pat them dry before adding them.
• For the Garlic Lovers: Add ½ teaspoon of garlic powder to the flour mixture. Don’t use fresh garlic since it might burn or taste raw even if you bake it.

My Storage Tips

If you have any leftovers (lucky you!), place them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them for longer, place them in the fridge for up to 7 days.

You can also freeze them (wrapped tightly) for up to 3 months.

When you want to revive a scone, place it in a toaster oven or air fryer at 300°F for 3-5 minutes.

More Scone Recipes

• Ham and Cheese Scones
• Apple Pie Cottage Cheese Scones
• Strawberry Cottage Cheese Scones