This cottage cheese toast is high protein, has hidden veggies, and can be made in 10 minutes. Best part? It tastes like pizza!
Cottage cheese is coming back in 2023, and I could not be more happy. I know the texture isn't everyone's jam, but here me out. Nutritionally, it's a powerhouse! Think of it like Greek yogurt, high in protein, calcium and super creamy. It can be enjoyed sweet or savory as well- I love using it in my spinach dip and buffalo dip.
Since everyone is back on the cottage cheese train, I knew I had to share this savory cottage cheese toast, inspired by Hailey Bieber's iconic pizza toast. Hailey's original recipe uses classic mozzarella, but my version uses cottage cheese for a higher protein version. It's seriously the easiest light meal or snack that will make you feel like a kid again. This cottage cheese toast is, in my opinion, the grown-up version of Bagel Bites (but much better). You'll have to trust me and try it!
Ingredients
- Bread of choice
- Tomato sauce
- Zucchini
- Chopped spinach
- Cottage cheese
- Cherry tomatoes
- Fresh basil
Instructions
In a small bowl, mix together tomato sauce and zucchini.
Spread tomato sauce/ zucchini mixture onto both slices of bread.
Top with a handful of spinach.
Spread ¼ cup of cottage cheese onto each slice.
Finish with cherry tomatoes. Air fry at 390F for about 8 minutes.
You will know your toast is done when the bottom is crispy and the cottage cheese is melted and beginning to brown slightly.
Garnish with fresh basil and enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
To make gluten-free: Use a gluten-free bread of choice (I love Queen St. Bakery!).
Like pizza, customize this cottage cheese toast with your favourite toppings. Here are some other ways I like enjoying this recipe:
- Swapping the basil for pesto
- Balsamic glaze
- Hot honey and chili flakes
- Avocado
- Deli meat, shredded chicken or pepperoni
- Sliced avocado
- Veggies of choice
Equipment
Storage
This cottage cheese toast is best enjoyed fresh.
Top Tip
I love adding shredded veggies into the sauce for a hidden veggie hit of fibre and micronutrients. However, you can totally leave them out or serve veggies on the side!
If you're adding spinach, make sure you layer it under the cottage cheese so it doesn't fall off and burn in the air fryer.
Last tip- if you want your bread extra crispy, brush a thin layer of olive oil or butter on the bottom of each slice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it won't toast the bread very much. If your only goal is to warm up the bread and toppings, you can pop your cottage cheese toast in the oven at 400F for about 5 minutes. I recommend broiling for a few minutes after as well, but keep a close eye so it doesn't burn.
Nope, you 100% do not have to! I like air frying it to warm up the toppings, toast the bread and melt the cottage cheese all in one go. However, you can also enjoy it without air frying too.
Yes, of course! If you just want to warm/toast your bread and you would rather eat your toppings cold, pop the bread in the toaster before adding the toppings and voila!
It's hard to describe, but it has a mild, slightly salty cheesy flavour! I would say it's a mix between a thick Greek yogurt and ricotta cheese.
It depends on your serving size! I like having 1 slice for a snack, or serving it with a side like a salad for a light lunch. When I'm feeling more hungry, I'll typically have 2 slices. Listen to your hunger cues!
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make this savory cottage cheese toast, don't forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!
📖 Recipe
Savory Cottage Cheese Toast
Ingredients
- 2 slices of bread
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ¼ cup zucchini shredded
- ¼ cup spinach chopped
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- ¼ cup cherry tomatoes halved
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together tomato sauce and zucchini. Spread tomato sauce/ zucchini mixture onto both slices of bread.
- Top with a handful of spinach and spread ¼ cup of cottage cheese onto each slice. Finish with cherry tomatoes.
- Air fry at 390F for about 8 minutes. You will know your toast is done when the bottom is crispy and the cottage cheese is melted and beginning to brown slightly!
- Garnish with fresh basil and enjoy
Erica says
Hi! I tried this recipe and it was good, but my bread got super soggy on the bottom. I used my air fryer and sprayed a thin coat of avocado oil on the bottom. I’m not sure if the sogginess was because I used gluten-free bread (I have celiac) or maybe I added too much sauce? Do you have any tips or suggestions? Either way, thank you for the recipe and for helping me discover a new way to enjoy cottage cheese!
Nicole Addison says
Hi Erica- Hmmm I've never had that issue but I think it may be either due to the type of air fryer you are using or potentially the gluten free bread being a little thinner and less dense than a regular whole wheat bread - to avoid this in the future I'd try to toast the bread a little beforehand to give it a head start in cooking before adding the toppings and finishing the cooking process!
Erica says
I pre-toasted the bread and used a tad less sauce and it was perfect! Thank you! 🙂
Nida Zahra says
This turned out amazing definitely do an added to my breakfast list. Thank you for the amazing recipe.
CK says
What an easy, delicious meal for any time of the day!
Connie says
I didn’t have everything for the recipe so just winged it. It was still yummy. Added dried basil to my sauce and no zucchini or tomato so it was pretty basic and still good. I really didn’t want to cook last night! I would recommend that you use a denser bread (mine wasn’t, so it was a little on the soggy side. ) I also don’t have an air fryer so toasting would be a good idea first. I actually ended up with it on the stovetop grilled covered and slow to get the cheese more melty and the bottom crispier. I will definitely get a better stock of ingredients for next time.
Erica A says
Just made this for breakfast today! Oh my goodness, sooo delicious!!! I used pizza sauce on one toast slice & pesto on the other. I used everything sourdough bread….simply ahhhmazing! Thanks for sharing ☺️