Name: Easy High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bark
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 3 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese (or low-fat); 1 ripe banana; 2 tbsp peanut butter (or other nut/seed butter); 1–2 tsp honey or maple syrup (to taste); Toppings: mini chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate; Toppings: sliced banana; Toppings: extra peanut butter for swirling; Toppings: crushed peanuts or granola

Jump to Recipe·Leave a Review

This easy high-protein cottage cheese bark is my go-to when I want a sweet snack that’s not just delicious but actually nourishing. It tastes like frozen peanut butter banana cheesecake, but it’s made with wholesome ingredients like cottage cheese, banana, peanut butter, and just a touch of honey or maple syrup. It’s the kind of treat I love keeping in the freezer for a quick bite after lunch or a snack plate for the kids after school.

Easy High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bark

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I’m all about snacks that satisfy without the crash, and this one hits every mark. I love how creamy and rich it turns out from the cottage cheese, and the blend of peanut butter and banana is just always a winner in my book. Plus, it takes less than 10 minutes to prep and makes snack time feel special.

Here’s why I keep coming back to this one:

It’s high in protein and naturally sweetened
It’s freezer-friendly and great for make-ahead snacking
I can fully customize the toppings depending on what I’m craving
My kids call it “banana ice cream bark” – enough said
It’s easy to make with ingredients I already have in my kitchen

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

cottage cheese – I use full-fat for the creamiest result, but low-fat works too
ripe banana – for natural sweetness and a creamy texture
peanut butter – or any nut/seed butter I have on hand
honey or maple syrup – to lightly sweeten (I go with maple syrup if I’m making it vegan or for little ones)

Toppings (my favorite part):

mini chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
sliced banana
extra peanut butter swirls
crushed peanuts or granola for crunch

Directions

Blend the base
I add cottage cheese, banana, peanut butter, and sweetener to a high-speed blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. It should have a whipped yogurt-like texture.
Spread it out
I line a small baking tray with parchment paper, pour the blended mixture onto it, and spread it evenly to about ¼ to ½ inch thick.
Add toppings
Before freezing, I top it with chocolate chips, banana slices, peanut butter drizzle, or whatever I have on hand. This step is super fun and makes it feel like a snack bar from a café.
Freeze
I freeze the tray for at least 3 hours, or until the bark is completely solid and easy to break into chunks.
Break and enjoy
Once frozen, I lift the bark from the tray using the parchment and break it into pieces. I store the bark in a freezer-safe bag or container for snacking all week.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 10 to 12 pieces of bark, depending on how I break it up. It takes around 10 minutes to prep and at least 3 hours to freeze. Perfect for prepping ahead and enjoying anytime.

Variations

I switch things up depending on my mood and what’s in my pantry. Here are some of my favorite spins on this recipe:

Chocolate version – I add 1–2 tablespoons of cacao powder to the blend for a chocolate-peanut butter twist
Tropical – I swap the banana for mango or pineapple and top with coconut flakes
Crunch boost – I toss on granola, cacao nibs, or chopped nuts
Protein-packed – I mix in a scoop of vanilla protein powder or collagen
Dairy-free – I’ve tried it with plant-based cottage cheese, and it works great too

Storage/reheating

Once I break the bark into pieces, I store them in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. To keep them from sticking, I place parchment between the layers.

It stays good for up to 2 months in the freezer, but honestly, it never lasts that long around here.

If I’m packing it to go, I wrap a piece in parchment and pop it in a cooler bag with an ice pack to keep it nice and frozen until snack time.

FAQs

What does cottage cheese bark taste like?

It tastes like a creamy frozen treat—kind of like peanut butter banana cheesecake. Once blended, the cottage cheese is completely smooth and doesn’t taste tangy or savory at all.

Can I make it vegan?

Yes! I use maple syrup instead of honey and swap the cottage cheese for a plant-based version. I’ve seen a lot of dairy-free cottage cheese options lately and they work great here.

How do I prevent the bark from getting too icy?

Blending the ingredients really well and spreading the mixture evenly helps. I also make sure to freeze it for the full 3 hours so it sets properly before breaking it into pieces.

Can I use other nut butters?

Definitely. I’ve made this with almond butter, cashew butter, and even sunflower seed butter. It always turns out delicious.

What if I don’t like cottage cheese?

I used to think I didn’t either—but blended cottage cheese is a whole different story. Once everything is combined, it’s smooth, creamy, and honestly doesn’t taste like cottage cheese at all. I recommend giving it a try.

Conclusion

This high-protein cottage cheese bark is one of those snacks that just checks all the boxes. It’s sweet, creamy, satisfying, and packed with ingredients that make me feel good. Whether I’m looking for an afternoon energy boost or a healthy dessert, I love having this stashed in my freezer.