High-Protein Strawberry Cheesecake Bowl
A creamy, cheesecake-inspired dessert bowl loaded with strawberries and 30g+ of protein. It comes together in minutes and only needs a short chill.
Ingredients
Cheesecake Base
- 1 cup (225 g) low-fat cottage cheese
- ½ cup (120 g) plain Greek yogurt
- 1 scoop (25–30 g) vanilla protein powder
- 1–2 tbsp sugar-free sweetener, to taste
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Strawberry Layer
- ¾ cup fresh strawberries, diced
- 1 tbsp strawberry jam or sugar-free strawberry jam
- ½ tsp lemon juice
Crumb Topping
- 2 tbsp crushed graham crackers
- 1 tsp melted butter, optional
- 1 tbsp finely chopped strawberries
Instructions
- Blend the cheesecake base: Add cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, protein powder, sweetener, vanilla, and lemon juice to a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
- Prepare the strawberries: Mix the diced strawberries with strawberry jam and lemon juice. Lightly mash a few pieces to create a juicy strawberry swirl.
- Add the crumb: Mix the crushed graham crackers with melted butter if desired.
- Assemble: Spoon the cheesecake mixture into a bowl or container. Add the strawberry mixture and gently swirl it through the cheesecake.
- Top: Sprinkle with the graham cracker crumbs and add a few fresh strawberry pieces.
- Chill: Refrigerate for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Approximate per serving:
- Calories: 300–330
- Protein: 30–35 g
- Carbohydrates: 25–30 g
- Fat: 7–9 g
- Fiber: 2–3 g
- Sugar: 12–16 g
- Net Carbs: 23–27 g
Nutrition varies depending on the protein powder, cottage cheese, yogurt, sweetener, and toppings used.
Q&A
Q: Can I make this without cottage cheese?
Yes. Use additional Greek yogurt, although the protein and texture will be slightly different.
Q: Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes. Thaw and drain them first so the cheesecake bowl doesn’t become watery.
Q: Can I make it without graham crackers?
Absolutely. Leave them out or use crushed nuts for a lower-carb topping.
Q: How can I make it lower-carb?
Use unsweetened Greek yogurt, a low-carb protein powder, sugar-free strawberry jam, and skip the graham cracker crumbs.
Q: Can I prepare it ahead of time?
Yes. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Add the crunchy topping just before eating.
Q: Why blend the cottage cheese?
Blending removes the curds and creates a smooth, thick cheesecake-like texture.
Q: Can I make it more like a real cheesecake?
For a thicker texture, use less yogurt and refrigerate for 30–60 minutes instead of only 10 minutes.
