Healthy Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream (TikTok’s Viral Cottage Cheese Recipe!)

If you want a concrete answer to whether this is worth making: yes, absolutely, especially if you’re looking for a protein-packed dessert that’s creamy, sweet, and takes under 10 minutes of hands-on work.

The cottage cheese base blends into something smooth and indulgent, strawberries add natural sweetness and color, and a few crushed graham crackers give it that unmistakable cheesecake vibe. The whole thing tastes like you’ve been making it all day, but it’s faster than brewing coffee.

The secret to this recipe’s success is the texture and composition of cottage cheese. Once blended, it turns incredibly smooth, with a rich mouthfeel similar to cream cheese, without the excess fat.

It’s also naturally high in protein (around 25 grams per cup), so it doubles as a dessert and a post-workout snack.

When sweetened and frozen, blended cottage cheese holds its creaminess better than Greek yogurt, which can get icy. The fat and protein in the curds help prevent large ice crystals from forming, making it surprisingly similar to traditional ice cream after a quick freeze.

High-Protein Strawberry Cheesecake Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

This high-protein strawberry cheesecake cottage cheese ice cream is the ultimate no-guilt dessert that doubles as a post-workout treat.

It’s rich, creamy, and naturally sweet—thanks to blended strawberries and a touch of honey or maple syrup.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 220 kcal

Equipment

• High-speed blender or food processor for smooth texture
• Spatula for folding in graham crackers
• Shallow freezer-safe container for even freezing
• Optional: Ice cream scoop, silicone storage containers

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups full-fat cottage cheese
• 1½ cups strawberries
• ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 4-5 graham crackers, crushed
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder optional

Instructions

 

• Blend the Base

  In a high-speed blender, combine cottage cheese, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, and lemon juice.

  Blend for 60–90 seconds, until completely smooth and creamy. No graininess should remain.
  
• Add Strawberries

  Add most of the strawberries to the blender and blend until incorporated.

  Reserve a few chopped strawberries to stir in later for texture.
  
• Fold in Graham Crackers

  Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl.

  Gently fold in the crushed graham crackers and reserved strawberry chunks.

  Don’t overmix - some crunch is key!
  
• Freeze

  Pour the mixture into a shallow container for faster freezing.

  Freeze for 1–2 hours, until firm but still scoopable.
  
• Serve

  Scoop into bowls and top with extra strawberries and graham cracker crumbs.

  Optionally, drizzle with honey or maple syrup for added flair.
  

Video

Notes

Cooking Tips

• Use full-fat cottage cheese for the smoothest, creamiest result.
• Taste your base before freezing—adjust sweetness if needed.
• Use ripe, fresh strawberries for optimal flavor and color.
• For softer texture after long freezing, add 1 tbsp vodka to the mix.
• If using frozen strawberries, thaw and drain them first to avoid extra water.
• Don’t overblend after adding graham crackers—leave chunks!

Keyword Cheesecake, Cottage Cheese, Healthy Dessert, High Protein, Ice Cream

How to Keep It Creamy After Freezing

@lainiecooks Strawberry cheesecake ice cream 🍨🍓..im obsessed #cottagecheeseicecream #cottagecheeserecipe #highproteindessert ♬ Caalm Dooown – EL Locco

The first time I made this, I froze it overnight and ended up with something closer to a strawberry cheesecake ice brick. I learned quickly that if you want to store it for later, you either need to:

• Freeze it in single-serving portions so you can let just one thaw at a time
• Or add a tablespoon of vodka to the mix before freezing; it lowers the freezing point and keeps it softer without affecting flavor.

For best results, I make a batch in the afternoon, freeze it for a couple of hours, and serve it the same night.

Flavor Variations I’ve Tried

Once you nail the base, you can play around with endless variations.

Storage and Shelf Life

I’ve found that this ice cream is at its best within the first 48 hours. The longer it sits in the freezer, the more it firms up, and while you can soften it by leaving it out for 15 minutes, it’s never quite as good as when it’s freshly frozen.

For storing, I use a silicone ice cream tub or small glass containers with lids. Plastic works, but glass seems to hold the texture better.

Why I Keep Making This Over Traditional Ice Cream

Don’t get me wrong, I love real ice cream. But the problem is, when I buy a pint, it disappears in one sitting.

With this, I get that creamy dessert satisfaction plus a hefty dose of protein, which keeps me full. I can eat a bowl after dinner and not feel like I’ve just wrecked my daily nutrition goals.

It also works as a post-workout snack. I’ve blended vanilla protein powder a few times, and it becomes a cold recovery shake in ice cream form.

My Final Take

After making it over a dozen times, I can say TikTok didn’t lie; this is one viral recipe that lives up to the hype. It’s fast, customizable, and feels indulgent while being healthy. If you’re into high-protein recipes, love cheesecake, or just want a frozen treat you can make in minutes, this should be on your list.

I’ve already convinced a few friends to try it, and now we’ve started having “cottage cheese ice cream nights” where everyone brings a different flavor variation. It’s become a thing, and one of those trends that’s going to stick around my kitchen long after TikTok moves on to the next big recipe.

Leo Mcintyre

I’m Leo McIntyre, and my love for cooking was born in my grandmother’s kitchen, where I discovered the magic of traditional Southern recipes. Inspired by her passion and the flavors of my childhood, I started SouthernParm to share these treasured family dishes and keep the rich culinary traditions of the South alive for everyone to enjoy.