Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough and Anabolic Ice Cream: High-Protein Treats from the Greek Yogurt Boom
High-protein “anabolic” recipes made with Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and protein powder are all over TikTok and YouTube, turning classic desserts into macro-friendly treats. In the last couple of years, fitness creators, GLP‑1 users, and curious home cooks have fallen in love with these thick, creamy dairy bases for their protein punch and dessert-like texture.
High-Protein Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough & Greek Yogurt “Anabolic” Ice Cream
Below you’ll find a warm, kitchen-tested guide to two of the most beloved anabolic recipes: a spoonable cottage cheese cookie dough and ultra-creamy Greek yogurt protein ice cream. Both are high-protein, lower in sugar, and designed to keep you satisfied—whether you’re lifting heavy, managing appetite on GLP‑1 medications, or just craving a dessert that loves you back.
Recipe Overview: Two Viral High-Protein Treats
This page actually contains two complete anabolic recipes, both built around Greek yogurt and cottage cheese:
- High-Protein Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough – a thick, creamy, edible “dough” you eat with a spoon.
- Greek Yogurt “Anabolic” Protein Ice Cream – soft-serve style protein ice cream made in your blender.
Cookie Dough Quick Facts
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 0 minutes
- Total time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 2 snack bowls
- Difficulty: Easy
- Approx. protein: 18–22 g per serving*
Protein Ice Cream Quick Facts
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Freeze/Blend time: 5–15 minutes
- Total time: 20–25 minutes
- Servings: 1–2 bowls
- Difficulty: Easy
- Approx. protein: 25–35 g per serving*
*Protein will vary based on brand of cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and protein powder.
Why “Anabolic” Recipes and Cottage Cheese Are Suddenly Everywhere
Over the last 12–18 months, “anabolic” meals—dishes that are high in protein and relatively low in calories—have exploded on TikTok and YouTube. Fitness YouTubers popularized the term, and now home cooks everywhere are turning Greek yogurt and cottage cheese into ice creams, cheesecakes, and savory bowls with serious macro power.
For many people, especially weight-loss and GLP‑1 users, these recipes offer nutrient-dense, small-volume meals that feel indulgent without being heavy. Lifters and weekend athletes love that a cup of Greek yogurt or cottage cheese can deliver 15–20 grams of protein with bonus calcium and, often, probiotics.
The key is balancing those high-protein bases with fiber-rich carbs (think berries, oats, chia seeds) and healthy fats so that your bowl is not just “high-protein,” but truly satisfying and supportive of overall health.
When you focus on protein, fiber, and real-food ingredients, these viral recipes become more than a trend—they become an easy, joyful way to eat well every day.
Visual Guide: High-Protein Anabolic Treats
Use these images as inspiration for texture, color, and serving ideas. You don’t need to copy them perfectly—your home version will be just as delicious.
High-Protein Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough (No-Bake)
This viral cottage cheese cookie dough tastes like chilled, creamy cookie batter you can eat straight from the bowl—but it quietly delivers a hefty dose of protein with minimal sugar. The texture is thick and spoonable, with tiny curds blended silky-smooth and plenty of chocolate-studded bites.
Ingredients (2 snack servings)
- 1 cup (225 g) low-fat cottage cheese (2% works beautifully)
- 1 scoop (25–30 g) vanilla or cookie-flavored whey or plant protein powder
- 2–3 tbsp (16–24 g) oat flour or quick oats, ground
- 1–2 tbsp (15–30 ml) maple syrup or sugar-free syrup, to taste
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of fine sea salt
- 2–3 tbsp (25–35 g) dark chocolate chips or sugar-free chocolate chips
- Optional: 1 tbsp (16 g) peanut butter or almond butter for richness
Equipment Needed
- Small blender or food processor (for silky texture)
- Mixing bowl and spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Reusable containers or bowls for serving
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Blend the cottage cheese.
Add cottage cheese to your blender or food processor. Blend 30–60 seconds until completely smooth and creamy—no visible curds. This step gives you that classic cookie-dough mouthfeel. - Mix in the dry ingredients.
Scrape the blended cottage cheese into a mixing bowl. Add protein powder, oat flour, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir until thick and well combined. It should start to resemble a soft dough. - Sweeten and adjust texture.
Add maple syrup or your sweetener of choice, starting with 1 tablespoon. Taste and adjust. If the dough feels too soft, add a bit more oat flour or protein powder; if it’s too thick, splash in 1–2 teaspoons of milk or water. - Fold in chocolate and extras.
Gently fold in chocolate chips and optional peanut butter. Aim for even distribution so you get a little chocolate in every bite. - Chill for best texture.
Cover and chill for at least 20–30 minutes. The dough will firm up and the flavors will meld, giving you that classic, cool cookie-dough experience. - Serve.
Scoop into bowls and enjoy straight from the fridge. Top with extra chocolate chips, a sprinkle of flaky salt, or crushed high-fiber crackers for crunch.
Greek Yogurt “Anabolic” Protein Ice Cream
This protein ice cream turns thick Greek yogurt, frozen fruit, and protein powder into a towering bowl of soft-serve. It’s cold and creamy like dessert, but each spoonful brings high-quality protein, gut-friendly cultures (if your yogurt contains them), and a hit of natural sweetness from fruit.
Ingredients (1–2 servings)
- 1 cup (240 g) nonfat or 2% plain Greek yogurt
- 1 scoop (25–30 g) vanilla or chocolate protein powder
- 1 cup (140 g) frozen banana slices or mixed frozen berries
- 2–4 tbsp (30–60 ml) cold milk or unsweetened plant milk, as needed
- 1–2 tsp preferred sweetener (maple syrup, honey, or non-nutritive sweetener), to taste
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt (boosts flavor)
- Optional add-ins: 1 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tbsp peanut butter powder, or 1 tbsp chia seeds
Equipment Needed
- High-speed blender or food processor
- Spatula for scraping down sides
- Chilled bowl for serving (helps it stay thick)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add base ingredients to blender.
In your blender, combine Greek yogurt, protein powder, frozen fruit, vanilla, salt, and 2 tablespoons of milk or plant milk. - Blend low and scrape down.
Start blending on low, stopping frequently to scrape down the sides. The mixture will be very thick—this is what gives it that ice cream texture. - Adjust thickness.
If the blades struggle, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture just turns and becomes smooth and fluffy. Avoid adding too much liquid; you want a soft-serve consistency rather than a smoothie. - Taste and sweeten.
Taste and adjust sweetness. Add syrup or your sweetener in small amounts and pulse to combine. - Blend to soft-serve peaks.
Continue blending until the mixture looks airy and holds soft peaks on your spatula, about 30–60 seconds more. - Serve immediately.
Scoop into a chilled bowl. Top with fresh berries, a drizzle of nut butter, crushed high-fiber cereal, or a sprinkle of dark chocolate.
Making Anabolic Recipes Balanced: Protein, Fiber, and Healthy Fats
Anabolic recipes shine when they deliver 20–40 g of protein per meal with minimal added sugar. But the real magic happens when you add:
- Fiber: Berries, chia seeds, oats, flax, or high-fiber crackers help with fullness and gut health.
- Healthy fats: Nut butters, nuts, seeds, or a little dark chocolate help stabilize blood sugar and add satiety.
- Colorful plants: Fresh or frozen fruit, and even vegetables in savory bowls, add vitamins and antioxidants.
Many dietitians appreciate this high-protein trend but caution against over-relying on ultra-processed products and turning every meal into a macro math problem. Food doesn’t need to be “perfect” to be worthwhile. Let these recipes be tools in your toolbox, not rules you must obey.
Storage, Meal Prep, and Reheating Tips
Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 1 month; thaw in the fridge overnight and stir before serving.
- Serving from cold: If very firm from the fridge, let sit at room temperature 5–10 minutes and stir to restore creaminess.
Greek Yogurt Protein Ice Cream
- Best fresh: Texture is creamiest right after blending.
- Short-term freeze: Freeze up to 1–2 hours, stirring halfway if possible. Let sit at room temp 10–15 minutes and stir before serving.
- Longer freeze: For overnight storage, expect an icier texture. Thaw longer and pulse in a blender with a tablespoon of milk to revive.
Serving Ideas and Complementary Dishes
Turn these high-protein treats into full, satisfying meals by pairing them with simple sides:
- For breakfast: Serve protein ice cream with a slice of whole-grain toast and nut butter, or a boiled egg on the side.
- For post-workout: Pair cottage cheese cookie dough with a banana or a small bowl of oats for extra carbs.
- For dessert: Enjoy either recipe with a small espresso, herbal tea, or decaf coffee to round out the experience.
- Savory twist: Use plain cottage cheese in a bowl with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, and high-fiber crackers as a protein-rich snack between meals.
Allow yourself to play: sprinkle some cinnamon, zest a bit of lemon, or swap in seasonal fruits. The more you experiment, the more these anabolic recipes become your recipes.
Accessibility and Home Cook Support
These recipes are designed to be friendly for home cooks at every level:
- You can make everything with a simple blender or food processor and basic measuring cups.
- Weights and volumes are included so you can use whatever tools you have.
- Textures are forgiving—just adjust with small amounts of liquid or dry ingredients until it looks right.
If you’re new to high-protein cooking, start with one recipe, make it as written once, and then tweak it to your taste. Trust your senses: taste, texture, aroma, and color are your best guides in the kitchen.