We're obsessed by Zoe's most popular recipe: cottage cheese protein pancakes

If you're a fan of the viral cottage cheese bread that has recently taken social media by storm - we are! - try cottage cheese protein pancakes. Zoe, the personalised diet programme, says it's their most downloaded recipe ever. with 142,000 Instagram saves. No surprise, with 31g protein per recipe and bags of fibre, they not only keep you full but feed your good gut bacteria.

The secret is in the combination, says Zoe: "Combining carb-containing foods with a source of fibre, protein or fat can slow the rate at which sugar is absorbed into the blood leading to a smaller blood sugar spike which may help you to feel fuller for longer."

The premise is simple with three key protein-rich ingredients: oats and cottage cheese, both of which have a hefty 10g of protein per 100g, and one egg (13g protein).

I tried their latest twist on the original recipe with lemon zest and blueberries. Once you have mastered the basic mix (egg, cottage cheese, oats, pinch of baking powder) you can pretty much freestyle your added flavours, making cottage cheese protein pancakes a versatile year-round blood-sugar balancing breakfast.  I made six pancakes from the mix in a matter of minutes – that's one large or two small stacks. And they are delicious. I'm someone who normally gets hungry mid-morning, but this kept me full, without me feeling at all sluggish. 

Cottage cheese protein pancakes with lemon and blueberries
Makes 6 pancakes, serves 1-2

Ingredients

• 60g or 1/2 cup oats
• 150g or 2/3 cup cottage cheese
• Zest of one lemon
• Handful of blueberries
• 1 egg
• Pinch of salt 
• Pinch of baking powder
• Splash of water or milk
• Toppings of your choice (Zoe uses Greek yogurt, fresh blueberries, lemon curd)

Method

1. Mix the oats in your blender, to process into a flour. 

2. Add the remaining pancake ingredients (apart from the blueberries) to the blender and blitz until smooth. Use a splash of water or milk if needed to loosen it - the batter should be thick but pourable. 

4. Once you’re happy with the batter, fold through the fresh or frozen blueberries - keeping some aside for toppings. 

5. Heat a frying pan and add a little butter or oil, followed by a couple of tablespoons of pancake batter per pancake. Cook for a few minutes on each side and serve with toppings of your choice. Enjoy!

Zoe original cottage cheese protein pancakes, serves 1-2

Method

1. Mix the oats in your blender and process into a flour. 

2. Add the remaining pancake ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth, start with a splash of milk/water and add more if needed. The batter should be thick but pourable. 

3. To a hot pan, add a little butter or oil then a couple of tablespoons of pancake batter per pancake.

4. Cook for a few minutes on each side and serve with toppings of your choice.

Ingredients

• 50g oats
• 1 banana
• 150g cottage cheese
• 1 egg
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of baking powder
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Splash of water or milk
• Toppings: Zoe used Greek yogurt, frozen raspberries, walnuts, figs and a drizzle of honey