Get ready to elevate your healthy snack game with the latest food trend that combines simplicity, nutrition, and irresistible flavours – cottage cheese toast! Whether you’re looking for an easy breakfast, a light lunch, or a satisfying snack, cottage cheese toast has got you covered.

With its versatility and easy preparation, it’s my perfect go-to option when I’m pressed for time. From sweet to savoury, the possibilities are endless. Cottage cheese toast gives you a basic blank canvas to build your perfect protein snack.

Cottage cheese toast ideas (easy, healthy, tartines) recipes

Say goodbye to avocado toast, which is high in calories and limited in protein, rather layer it on cottage cheese with other proteins such as egg or smoked salmon (trout).

La Motte Bakery in Franschhoek asked me to showcase their incredible bread in a few easy recipes and I thought why not keep it really simple and allow the bread to shine? This is some of the best bread you will find in the country made by renowned baker and chef Markus Färbinger.

A collage of La Motte bakery in Franschhoek and bread

Markus Färbinger joins La Motte Bakery

Markus Färbinger is not only an acclaimed baker and was the founder of the iconic île de païn café in Knysna but also a respected figure in the world of artisanal bread-making. Originally from Austria, Färbinger has honed his craft through years of experience and training in renowned bakeries across Europe.

His passion for bread led him on a culinary journey around the globe, where he studied traditional baking techniques and sought inspiration from different cultures. With a deep appreciation for natural ingredients and a commitment to using local, sustainable produce, Färbinger has built a reputation for creating bread that is not only delicious but also nourishing.

His dedication to quality and craftsmanship has earned him numerous accolades, and his innovative approach to baking has influenced aspiring bakers and chefs worldwide. Today, at La Motte Artisanal Bakery and Garden Café, Färbinger continues to push the boundaries of bread-making, delighting customers with his creations and sharing his passion for the art of baking with the world.

When I spoke to Markus he doesn’t like to refer to his bread-making as artisanal but rather sees it as the way bread should simply be made.

La Motte Bakery & Cafe is a charming daytime spot that celebrates the beauty of freshly-baked bread. They offer a variety of options from their on-site wood-fired oven for purchase or as part of their seasonal menu.

With indoor and outdoor seating, guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and pastries while exploring the picturesque gardens and farm-inspired playground.

‘Tartine’ literally means an open-toasted sandwich in French and is quick and easy to make with endless possibilities. I have included three cottage cheese toast recipes here (scroll down to find them all below).

Cottage cheese toast ideas (easy, healthy, tartines)

Benefits of cottage cheese:

Cottage cheese is one of the healthiest cheeses, is low-calorie and is a great way to add a few grams of protein to your diet.

To make a sweet cottage cheese toast, top the cottage cheese with fresh fruit – like bananas, strawberries, marinated strawberries, blueberries, peaches, cherries or pears. Garnish with maple syrup, honey, hot honey, chopped nuts, chia seeds (for added fibre) and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Sweet cottage cheese toast with strawberries, blueberries, walnuts and honey

To make a savoury cottage cheese toast, top it with the ideas I’ve listed here, or other fresh produce like cucumber slices, fresh tomatoes, cooked eggs, micro greens, any cold meat such as ham or salami, cheese

You can use full-fat, low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese but it must be smooth. If you can’t find smooth cottage cheese you can make your own.

To make smooth cottage cheese, simply process crumbly cottage cheese in a small food processor or blender until smooth. This is a game-changer and gives you the perfect consistency as cream cheese without all the calories.

Why including protein in all your meals is important?

Including protein in your meals is important for several reasons. It helps balance blood sugar levels, promotes satiety, and supports muscle growth and repair. Protein slows down the digestion of carbohydrates, preventing spikes in blood sugar and providing sustained energy.

It also increases feelings of fullness, aiding in weight management. Additionally, protein is crucial for tissue repair and building. By including protein in your meals, you ensure a steady supply of amino acids for cell repair and growth.

A bowl of smooth cottahe cheese to top toast recipes with tomatoes

If you are not a fan of cottage cheese you can replace it with whipped ricotta cheese or cream cheese.

Marinated tomatoes with basil

Transport yourself to the Mediterranean with this delightful recipe inspired by the classic bruschetta. Ripe baby tomatoes are marinated in Balsamic vinegar and olive oil, with the vibrant flavours of red onion and fragrant basil. Simple and delicious on a slice of toasted sourdough with smooth cottage cheese for a protein boost.

The recipe makes 2 large slices of toast

2 slices of La Motte sourdough toasted
1 cup mixed baby tomatoes sliced in half (or any very ripe tomatoes)
½ small red onion very finely diced
6 basil leaves shredded
1.5 Tbsp Balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp good quality extra virgin Olive oil
Toast the sourdough how you would like
6 Tbsp smooth low-fat cottage cheese (or any cottage cheese of your choice)
Sea salt and black pepper

Toss the sliced tomatoes with the red onions, shredded basil, vinegar and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and allow these to marinate for about 5 – 10 minutes.

When you are ready to serve, toast the sourdough as you like. For added flavour, brush the bread with olive oil and pan fry on a flat or griddle pan.

Spread the toast generously with the smooth cottage cheese and top with the marinated tomatoes. Drizzle any leftover dressing or additional olive oil over the toast.

Toast topped with cotage cheese and marinated tomatoes, red onion and basil

Smooth cottage cheese with strawberries, blueberries, honey and walnuts

This sweet breakfast tartine is perfect with La Motte toasted ciabatta. A generous drizzle of honey and a scattering of walnuts will have you thinking you are eating cheesecake-flavoured toast. Use cream cheese for a more decadent treat.

Recipe – Makes 2 large slices of toast

2 slices la Motte ciabatta, toasted
4 – 6 Tbsp smooth fat-free, low-fat or full-fat cottage cheese
2 – 4 fresh strawberries, sliced
approx 12 fresh blueberries
1½ Tbs chopped walnuts or pistachios (or any nut of your choice)
1/1/2 – 2 Tbsp honey

Top La Motte toasted ciabatta with a generous spread of smooth cottage cheese. Add sliced strawberries, and a few blueberries and drizzle over honey and scatter over chopped walnuts.

Smooth cottage cheese with strawberries, blueberries, honey and walnuts recipe

Herby cottage cheese with avocado and smoked trout

Elevate your toast game with whole wheat bread toast with herby cottage cheese, avocado slices, and trout ribbons. Garnish with chopped chives and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

This recipe makes 4 large slices or 6 small slices of whole grain bread toast

Cottage cheese on whole wheat bread toast with avocado and smoked salmon

La Motte makes the most amazing mossbolletjie bread during the Cape wine harvest. You can check out the loaf and my recipe for mossbolletjie Frech toast with whipped vanilla cottage cheese and a mixed berry compote.

More cottage cheese recipes:

Easy & healthy high-protein cottage cheese waffles

High protein cottage cheese pasta with spinach

More Tartine recipes:

Roast fig tartines with blue cheese

Pear tartines with blue cheese & honey

Brie & red grape tartines

Whipped feta with roasted tomatoes and garlic

Prep Time:5

Cook Time:3

Ingredients

250 gms low fat crumbly or smooth cottage cheese
A generous few sprigs of fresh basil fresh parsley and fresh dill
Juice of ¼ of a lemon and the rest of the lemon for garnish
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 avocado sliced
100 gms smoked trout ribbons
1 Tbsp finely chopped chives
6 slices of La Motte wholewheat bread (or 4 larger slices

Instructions

Add the cottage cheese, herbs, lemon juice and salt and pepper to a small food processor and blend until smooth.
Slice the avocado and chop the chives.
Toast the bread until golden brown.
Spread the herbed cottage cheese over the whole wheat toast and top with sliced avocado, smoked trout ribbons and chives. Squeeze the lemon juice over the top and crack the black pepper and a pinch of salt.

Servings: 4 – 6

Author: Sam Linsell

* This post is proudly sponsored by La Motte