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These crispy Cottage Cheese Chips are the ultimate high protein snack. Made with 1 ingredient and no oil, they taste so delicious that you won’t guess they are keto and low calorie.
Enjoy these crispy keto chips dipped in my cottage cheese queso or cottage cheese dip, as a protein-packed savory snack for the diet. They’re crispy and so delicious, perfect for appetizers and parties.
Why you will love this recipe
- Macro-friendly – A serving of cottage cheese chips has over 13 g of protein and only 4 g of carbs. They’re also keto-friendly and gluten-free. Since they are not fried but baked with no oil, they are the also low calorie (just 117 calories).
- Super healthy – The main ingredient, cottage cheese, is packed with protein and nutritional benefits. It’s a great source of B vitamins and minerals such as calcium.
- Quick and easy – This may be the easiest protein chip recipe ever. Made with 1 ingredient, you can bake, air fry, and even microwave them.
- Customizable – Italian seasonings, smoked paprika, garlic powder or chili flakes. They taste delicious with sesame seeds too.
Ingredient and tips
This crunchy cottage cheese recipe requires 1 main ingredient: cottage cheese. Add seasonings and seeds for more flavor. Here are more details, you can find precise quantities in the recipe card at the bottom.
- Cottage cheese – Whole milk cottage cheese (4% fat) yields the best result. Low fat (2% fat) and nonfat (0%) cottage cheese work, but your chips won’t be as crunchy and flavorful. I recommend small curd cottage cheese.
- Seasonings – For more flavor, add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, chili flakes, or Italian seasonings. Cottage cheese is already salty, so do not exaggerate with salt.
Flavor ideas
- Mediterranean – Stir cottage cheese with Italian seasoning or with a mix of dried herbs such as dill, oregano, rosemary, garlic powder and onion powder. A tablespoon of Parmesan cheese tastes delicious.
- Salt and pepper – Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Spicy – Mix cottage cheese with ⅓ teaspoon of smoked paprika, a pinch of chili flakes and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Ranch – Stir in a hint of ranch seasonings and whip up crispy ranch cottage cheese chips. Delicious dipped in my Greek yogurt ranch dressing!
- Onion – Before baking, season the cheese with ⅓ teaspoon of onion powder and kosher salt.
- Garlicky – Season with ⅓ teaspoon of garlic powder and a bit of lemon zest for garlicky protein crisps.
How to make cottage cheese chips
- Step 1 – Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly spray the baking sheet with oil spray or olive oil to prevent sicking.
- Step 2 – Drain any excess liquid on top of the cottage cheese. If desired, mix the cheese with your favorite seasonings.
- Step 3 – Scoop one tablespoon portions of cottage cheese into the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart. They will spread while baking.
- Step 4 – Flatten the balls into thin rounds. They should be around 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) thick.
- Step 4 – Bake in the middle rack of your hot oven for 25 to 35 minutes, or until crispy (mine took 27 minutes). Do not overcook the chips, or they will get tough. Once baked, let cool at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes. The keto chips will crisp up as they cool.
Air fryer cottage cheese chips
- Step 1 – Preheat air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
- Step 2 – Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. This step is important, or the cheese will drip.
- Step 3 – Scoop one tablespoon portions of cottage cheese into the parchment paper covered basket, spacing them apart. If necessary, air fry in multiple batches.
- Step 4 – Air fry cottage cheese chips for 15 to 20 minutes, or until crispy.
- Step 5 – Let cool completely for 10-15 minutes before enjoying.
Recipe tips
- Use full fat cottage cheese – It makes protein chips crunchier and more flavorful. For the best result, I recommend small curd. Whipped cottage cheese works too.
- Drain cottage cheese – Remove any liquid on top of your cheese before cooking. Excess moisture will make them soft and watery.
- Adjust baking time – These chips can take 25 to 35 minutes, depending on cottage cheese used and oven power. They’re ready when golden brown and slightly crispy.
- Let cool before serving – After baking, let them cool for 10 to 15 minutes. They will crisp up further as they cool.
- Enjoy freshly baked – Once refrigerated, they will lose their crunchy texture. Let cool briefly, then enjoy immediately as a low calorie protein snack.
Storage directions
To store, you’ll need to let them cool completely first. Once they are cool, arrange them in an airtight food container in single layers. Separate each layer with a piece of parchment paper to preserve crunchiness and flavor. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. For a longer storage, pack them into a zipper bag and freeze for up to 1 month. To crisp them up again, reheat in hot oven at 350°F (180°C) until crunchy.
Frequently asked questions
Low fat cottage cheese chips won’t be as crunchy and flavorful. For a crunchy texture, use full fat options and drain any liquid on top of your cheese. Enjoy freshly baked, as they get soft once refrigerated.
Yes, here’s how to microwave them.
Step 1 – Use a spoon to scoop out some cottage cheese balls into a microwave-safe plate lined with parchment paper, then flatten into 0.2 in (0.5 cm) thin rounds. Make sure you space them apart, as they will spread while cooking.
Step 2 – Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes, in 30 seconds intervals. Allow the chips to cool for 10 to 15 minutes.
A serving of these chips has about 117 calories and 13.3 g of protein. Precise nutritional values may vary, based on the cottage cheese you use.
Recipe update. I made these keto chips again, this time seasoned with onion powder and topped with sesame seeds. They turned out so good. Highly recommended, better than store-bought!
More ways to use cottage cheese
- Cottage cheese flatbread
- Cottage cheese bread
- Cottage cheese bagels
- Easy cottage cheese pizza crust
- Cottage cheese pancakes
- Baked cottage cheese eggs
Cottage Cheese Chips
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240 g) cottage cheese, full fat recommended
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly spray the baking sheet with oil spray or olive oil to prevent sicking.
- Drain any excess liquid on top of the cottage cheese. If desired, mix the cheese with your favorite seasonings.
- Scoop one tablespoon portions of cottage cheese into the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart. They will spread while baking.
- Flatten the balls into thin rounds. They should be around 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) thick.
- Bake in the middle rack of your hot oven for 25 to 35 minutes, or until crispy (mine took 27 minutes). Do not overcook the chips, or they will get tough.
- Let cool at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes. These keto chips will crisp up as they cool.
Notes
- Step 1 – Preheat air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
- Step 2 – Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. This step is important, or the cheese will drip.
- Step 3 – Scoop one tablespoon portions of cottage cheese into the parchment paper covered basket, spacing them apart. If necessary, air fry in multiple batches.
- Step 4 – Air fry cottage cheese chips for 15 to 20 minutes, or until crispy.
- Step 5 – Let cool completely for 10-15 minutes before enjoying.
Would these work to scoop up hummus?
Hey Rudi,
many thanks for your question. Absolutely, I actually had them a couple of days ago with hummus and were SO GOOD!
You’ll love them.
Best,
Matteo
The chips are delish! I blended the cottage cheese. Added spices to my liking. They turned out great, very tedious getting the circles even. They did get a little chewy in storage within a couple hours. HOWEVER – 20 seconds in the microwave crisped them back up!!
Hey Julie,
thanks so much for your kind review! I am so glad you like my cottage cheese chips recipe, the microwave trick is genius 😉
Have a great day,
Matteo
Can’t get these crispy did the recipe correct but cottage cheese isn’t full fat (could that be why?) they tasted good though. Will try more of your recipes Matteo. Love your story. I eat like you do too, healthy, low carb etc. love to cook and bake.
Hey Candy,
thanks for your feedback! First of all, thanks a lot for your words – I’m glad you like my recipes.
Regarding your question, the issue may definitely be the fat percentage of the cottage cheese used. Full fat works much better than nonfat cottage cheese.
Have a great week ahead,
Matteo
Loved it!
Hey,
thanks a lot for your feedback! I’m so glad you liked this cottage cheese snack recipe 😉
Have a great day,
Matteo
I love cottage cheese and I’m excited to try these. Thank you for sharing this recipe
Hey Dawn,
thanks a lot for your comment. Cottage cheese fan, high five! You will definitely love this recipe.
Have a great day,
Matteo
Wow, cottage cheese chips !
Excellent idea??
Hey dear Liza,
thanks a lot!! I’m glad you liked these high protein chips 😉
Have a great Friday,
Matteo