Baked Cottage Cheese Breakfast “Zapekanka” (keto, high protein)

Craving a sweet breakfast that doesn’t spike your blood sugar? Look no further than this delightful Keto Cottage Cheese Zapekanka!

This traditional Eastern European dish gets a healthy makeover with just 4 simple ingredients. 

Forget complicated breakfasts – this recipe is all about ease. Simply combine everything in one bowl, transfer it to a baking dish, and let the oven work its magic. While the bake time takes about an hour, the hands-on prep is minimal, making it ideal for relaxed mornings when you want to savor a warm, comforting breakfast. Top it with your favorite berries or sugar-free jam for a burst of fruity sweetness and a touch of extra texture.

Packed with protein (8 grams of protein in one slice), this zapekanka keeps you feeling full and energized throughout the day. Ditch the sugary cereals and opt for this healthy alternative that satisfies your sweet tooth without the guilt!

The recipe requires:

4 Ingredients

Active cooking time: 5 minutes

Total cooking time: 1 hour 10 minutes

keto cottage cheese breakfast zapekanka

Table of Contents

Why you will love this!

  • Low-Carb & Diabetic-Friendly: Great for keto & diabetic diets, just 2.3 g net carbs in one slice. Keeps blood sugar stable.
  • Easy Cleanup: Less prep and mess, more time for you to enjoy your morning!
  • Tastes Like Dessert: Delicious recipe with no sugar crash! Top this sweet treat with sugar-free jam or fresh berries for an additional layer of texture and flavor.
  • Healthy protein boost: 8 g protein per slice.
  • Cozy and warm: keto breakfast that the whole family will love.
  • So easy: just 4 main ingredients. 
keto cottage cheese breakfast

About the recipe

This recipe is inspired by the “zapekanka”, a sweet breakfast dish popular in Russia and post-Soviet countries.

The word “zapekanka” originates from the Russian verb “zapekat'” (запекать), which means “to bake”, so zapekanka means baked dish. 

The traditional zapekanka uses cottage cheese, flour, eggs, and sugar to create a sweet and fluffy casserole.  

My version of zapekanka eliminates flour and sugar, making it a great choice for those following a ketogenic diet. Despite this change, the essential flavors and warmth of the zapekanka remain – a delicious way to enjoy breakfast while staying on track with your health goals. 

keto zapekanka, Baked Cottage Cheese Casserole recipe

Keto Cottage Cheese "Zapekanka" Recipe

Ingredients

This recipe relies on a specific type of cottage cheese for the perfect texture.

We need pressed cottage cheese, also known as Russian farmer’s cheese (tvorog). Pressed cottage cheese has a firm, dry texture with large curds.

Finding the Perfect Cheese:

  • Look for Labels: Search for “pressed cottage cheese” or “farmer’s cheese” at your local grocery store.
  • Check the Consistency: When choosing, pick a package with a firm texture and visible large curds.
  • Full-Fat is Best: Opt for full-fat cottage cheese for a richer flavor and texture. Double-check the label to ensure there’s no added sugar.
Russian style cottage cheese, tvorog
  • Butter: adds richness and buttery flavor. 
  • Low-Carb Sweetener: Choose your favorite keto-friendly option, like erythritol, allulose, or monk fruit. (I tend to use erythritol.)
  • Egg: acts as a binder, helping everything come together for a perfectly textured zapekanka.

Optional add-ins: 

  • Pure Vanilla Extract
  • Fresh berries 

*you’ll find the exact measurements in the recipe card below.

cottage cheese, egg, butter, erythritol

Equipment

For this simple recipe you’ll need:

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Fork
  • Rubber spatula
  • Baking dish 

Instructions​

Step 1: Mix ingredients together

First, preheat the oven to 180 degrees C (356 F).

In a bowl, place cottage cheese, one whole egg, sweetener, and melted butter (reserve 1 tsp. of butter). Mix everything with a fork until well combined. 

mix ingredients together

Step 2: Bake

Next, brush the bottom of the baking dish with a teaspoon of melted butter. 

Then transfer the cottage cheese mixture to a baking dish, spreading evenly and pressing with a fork. 

spread cottage cheese in the baking dish

Bake the zapekanka for 50-60 minutes. If you notice the surface starts to burn, loosely place a sheet of aluminum foil on the baking dish.

bake

Allow the zapekanka to sit for 5-10 minutes before serving with a dollop of sour cream and your favorite toppings!

zapekanka with sour cream

Topping ideas

Get creative with the toppings, zapekanka goes well with:

cottage cheese with blueberry jam and sour cream

More low-carb cottage cheese recipes

Cottage cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed in different ways, such as eaten plain, added to salads, mixed into smoothies, or used in recipes for both savory and sweet dishes, providing flexibility and enjoyment in meal planning on a low carb diet. 

Here are some more healthy cottage cheese recipes for you to try:

  1. Keto cottage cheese bars covered in chocolate
  2. Chocolate cottage cheese mousse
  3. No-bake cottage cheese cheesecake
  4. Keto whipped cottage cheese with berries (18 g of protein)
  5. Green Goddess cottage cheese dip with greens 
  6. Savory cottage cheese bowl
  7. Cottage cheese dip with herbs and garlic
  8. Cottage cheese pancakes with almond flour
  9. Cottage cheese ice cream
  10. Blueberry cottage cheese ice cream popsicles
  11. Keto lasagna recipe 
  12. Mini bell peppers stuffed with cottage cheese and cream cheese

FAQ

How to store Zapekanka?

Store Zapekanka in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days without toppings.

Is cottage cheese keto-friendly?

Cottage cheese is keto-friendly but always opt for full fat cottage cheese, as it has lower carbs and more fat compared to low fat or fat-free options. 

  • Full-fat cottage cheese: Typically contains around 4-8 grams of total carbs per serving (1/2 cup).
  • Low-fat cottage cheese: Can have upwards of 10-15 grams of carbs per serving. 

What are health benefits of cottage cheese?

Cottage cheese offers several health benefits for those following a keto diet:

  1. High in Protein: Cottage cheese is a good source of protein, making it an excellent choice for those on a ketogenic diet. Protein helps promote feelings of fullness which is great for weight loss.

  2. Low in Carbohydrates: With its low carbohydrate content, cottage cheese can fit well within the macronutrient targets of a low-carb diet, which typically restricts carbohydrate intake to induce ketosis.

  3. Source of Healthy Fats: While cottage cheese is not as high in fat as some other dairy products, it still provides a moderate amount of healthy fats, which are essential for maintaining energy levels and supporting overall health on a keto diet.

  4. Nutrient-Rich: Cottage cheese contains various important nutrients, including calcium, phosphorus, selenium, and B vitamins, which are important for bone health, metabolism, and overall well-being.

baked cottage cheese with blueberry jam
baked cottage cheese with blueberry jam
keto zapekanka, Baked Cottage Cheese Casserole recipe

Zapekanka: sweet cottage cheese breakfast

Yield: 8 slices
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Keto cottage cheese zapekanka: 4 ingredients, 1 bowl, 1 hour bake. Sweet, protein-packed breakfast that is low in carbs.

Ingredients

  • 500 g (17.6 oz.) Full-fat Farmer's cottage cheese/pressed cottage cheese*
  • 1 large egg
  • 40-50 g (2-3 tbsp.) unsalted butter, melted
  • 50 g (4-5 tbsp.) erythritol

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C (356 F).
  2. In a bowl, place cottage cheese, one whole egg, sweetener, and melted butter (reserve 1 tsp. of butter). Mix everything with a fork until well combined.
  3. Brush the bottom of the baking dish with a teaspoon of melted butter.
  4. Transfer the cottage cheese mixture to a baking dish, spreading it evenly and pressing with a fork.
  5. Bake the zapekanka for 50-60 minutes. If you notice the surface starts to burn, loosely place a sheet of aluminum foil on the baking dish.
  6. Allow the zapekanka to sit for 5-10 minutes before serving with a dollop of sour cream and your favorite toppings!

Notes

This recipe relies on a specific type of cottage cheese for the perfect texture.

We need pressed cottage cheese, also known as Russian farmer's cheese (tvorog). Pressed cottage cheese has a firm, dry texture with large curds.

Finding the Perfect Cheese:

  • Look for Labels: Search for "pressed cottage cheese" or "farmer's cheese" at your local grocery store.
  • Check the Consistency: When choosing, pick a package with a firm texture and visible large curds.
  • Full-Fat is Best: Opt for full-fat cottage cheese for a richer flavor and texture. Double-check the label to ensure there's no added sugar.

Save the recipe!

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