Viral High Protein Cottage Cheese Chips Recipe
A crunchy, low-carb snack you’ll actually want to make again.
Why I Started Making Cottage Cheese Chips
About six months ago, I started working with a functional practitioner to get to the root of some frustrating skin issues. One of the biggest shifts we made was upping my daily grams of protein, I was aiming for around 110g a day. That might sound easy, but I quickly realized how tricky it can be to hit those numbers without feeling like I’m eating grilled chicken all day. So I had to get creative.
That’s when I saw these cottage cheese chips trending on TikTok. People were calling them high protein cottage cheese chips and raving about the crispy texture and cheesy flavor. I was skeptical but intrigued. So I gave them a try, and let me tell you, I’ve made them almost every week since.
What Makes These Chips So Good?
They scratch the itch when I want crunchy chips without diving into a bag of traditional potato chips. These are crispy, salty, customizable, and surprisingly satisfying. I love that I can toss them in the air fryer or oven, add my favorite seasonings, and call it a guilt-free snacking win.
What I love about this recipe is that it's such a quick and easy snack, but way more fun than just eating a few spoonfuls of cottage cheese. And you technically only need one ingredient. You can mix and match different seasonings to make it your own, which keeps things interesting. The best part is that when I eat these, they actually keep me full for a few hours—they hold me over until my next meal, and I feel satiated without the carb crash. I love that they’re low-carb, high-protein, and have become a total staple in my weekly rotation. Even my two-year-old loves them, which feels like a small miracle.
Why Make These?
A perfect high-protein, low-carb alternative to traditional chips
Great when you’re feeling snacky but want to keep it light
Easy to customize with your favorite seasonings
Surprisingly filling and satisfying
Fun for adults—and toddlers love them too
Ingredients You’ll Need
½ cup whole milk cottage cheese (I like Good Culture 4%,)
Avocado oil spray
Optional toppings:
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Smoked paprika
Everything bagel seasoning
Black pepper
Jazz’s Recommended Products for This Recipe
Larger Wonder Oven:
If you’re cooking for more than one or just want extra for later, the Larger Wonder Oven makes it easy. It fits more and still cooks everything evenly, which comes in handy for meals like this that you’ll probably want again tomorrow.Wonder Oven:
This is the one I use almost daily. It’s quick to preheat, easy to clean, and doesn’t take up much space. Great for smaller batches or if you’re just cooking for yourself.Avocado Oil Spray:
This is the spray I trust in my kitchen. It’s 100% pure avocado oil, no soy lecithin or additives, and it holds up well in high heat. I use it for air frying, roasting, or anytime I want a light, even coat without the mess.
How to Make Them in the Air Fryer
1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
2. Line the air fryer baking tray or rack with parchment paper.
3. Spray your air fryer with a non-stick spray like avocado oil spray.
4. Scoop small spoonfuls (about 1 to 1½ teaspoons) of cottage cheese onto the parchment, spacing them out.
5. Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon.
6. Sprinkle optional seasonings over each chip.
7. Air fry for 15–18 minutes, or until golden on the edges and dry in the center.
8. Cool completely before eating (about 20–30 minutes).
How to Bake Them in the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Scoop and flatten the cottage cheese as above.
Sprinkle on your seasonings.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until they’re golden and crisp-looking.
Let cool fully before removing and eating.
Important Notes for First-Timers
Use full-fat cottage cheese.
Low-fat or nonfat versions won’t crisp well and may burn or melt oddly. I recommend Good Culture 4% whole milk cottage cheese for the best results.Strain if it’s runny.
Watery cottage cheese spreads too much and won’t crisp properly. A quick strain makes all the difference.Parchment paper is your BFF.
Don’t skip this step! Without parchment, your chips will stick and crumble — and nobody wants that frustration.Spray your air fryer with avocado oil spray!
If you don’t, the chips will stick, guaranteed.Let them fully cool.
Right out of the oven or air fryer, the chips feel soft. Let them sit for at least 20 minutes to firm up perfectly.Don’t overcrowd the chips.
Give each chip enough space to spread and crisp. Make two batches if needed!
How to Strain Cottage Cheese (If Needed)
If your cottage cheese is watery (this is common with some store brands), follow these steps to strain it:
Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl.
Scoop the cottage cheese into the strainer.
Let it sit for 5–10 minutes to drain the excess liquid.
Use the thicker curds left behind — they’ll give your chips the best texture and crispiness.
How to Customize the Toppings!
When customizing your chips, add seasoning after dolloping the cheese—not mixed in. A light sprinkle goes a long way, especially since cottage cheese is naturally salty. Everything bagel seasoning is quite salty, so use that sparingly.
Seasoning Ideas:
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Smoked paprika
Everything bagel seasoning
Black pepper
Note: These chips don’t stay crispy stored in an airtight container, so I recommend making only what you can eat right away.
How to Make Sure the Chips Get Crispy!
Use full-fat cottage cheese: low-fat versions have more moisture and less fat, which can make the chips soggy or chewy.
Strain your cottage cheese if it’s watery: this removes excess moisture and gives you firmer curds that crisp up better.
Line your tray with parchment paper: this prevents sticking and allows the chips to release cleanly once crisp.
Flatten your dollops evenly: don’t leave them too thick; a gentle press with the back of a metal spoon helps them cook through.
Give each chip space: overcrowding leads to steaming instead of crisping. Leave room between each scoop.
Don’t rush the cooling process: they continue to crisp as they cool! Let them sit untouched for 20–30 minutes.
Bake a little longer if needed: if they’re still soft in the center, add 1–2 extra minutes. Watch closely near the end to avoid burning.
Avoid mixing seasoning into the cheese: instead, sprinkle it on top. Mixing in moisture-heavy ingredients can impact texture.
Preheat your air fryer or oven: this gives the chips a hot start and helps them set right away.
Want Them Extra Thin and Crunchy?
Press down a little more when flattening each dollop. But be careful not to make them too thin, or they’ll be hard to peel off!
FAQs
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It’s best to use full-fat cottage cheese because low-fat versions have more moisture and less fat, which makes it harder for the chips to get crispy. Full-fat gives you that perfect crunchy texture and flavor.
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The important thing is to use full-fat, small-curd cottage cheese and strain any excess liquid if it’s watery. Also, flatten your dollops evenly and give each chip plenty of space on parchment paper. Preheating your air fryer or hot oven helps set them at the correct temperature for crispy chips.
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Absolutely! These crunchy protein chips are low carb and high-protein, making them a fantastic source of protein and a perfect healthy snack idea for anyone following keto recipes or low-carb eating plans.
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These chips don’t stay crispy for longer storage, especially in airtight containers. They’re best enjoyed fresh for that crunchy snack experience. If you must store them, try a paper towel-lined container to help absorb moisture, but expect some loss of crispiness.
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Definitely! Seasonings like Italian seasoning, cheddar ranch, or even a little bit of smoked paprika add great flavor. For dipping, pair your chips with sour cream, guacamole, or any dip of your choice to elevate your tasty treats.
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Microwaving isn’t recommended because it doesn’t dry out the chips evenly or get them crunchy. Baking in a hot oven or air frying at the correct temperature produces the best crispy chips.
These crunchy crisps are one of my favorite healthy snack ideas—they’re protein-packed, customizable, and take barely any time. If you're looking for a perfect snack that doesn't come from a bag, give these a try.
Viral High Protein Cottage Cheese Chips Recipe
These crispy cottage cheese chips are a high-protein, low-carb snack that’s easy to make in the air fryer or oven—perfect for a healthy, crunchy bite!
Ingredients
- ½ cup whole milk cottage cheese (the kind you use matters)
- Avocado oil spray
- Optional toppings (sprinkle on top):
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Everything bagel seasoning
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
- Line the air fryer baking tray or rack with parchment paper.
- Make sure you spray your air fryer with a non-stick spray like avocado oil spray.
- Scoop small spoonfuls (about 1 to 1½ teaspoons) of cottage cheese onto the parchment, spacing them out.
- Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon.
- Sprinkle optional seasonings over each chip.
- Air fry for 15–18 minutes, or until golden on the edges and dry in the center.
- Cool completely before eating (about 20–30 minutes).
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop and flatten the cottage cheese as above.
- Sprinkle on your seasonings.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until they’re golden and crisp-looking.
- Let cool fully before removing and eating.
