3 ingredient no bake cottage cheese cheesecake is the kind of recipe that makes you wonder why you ever bothered with the oven. Creamy, light, and packed with protein, it’s the perfect dessert for busy days or spontaneous cravings. This version skips the cream cheese and the fuss, leaning on the tangy richness of cottage cheese for a smoother, healthier twist. With just a blender and a fridge, you’ll be minutes away from a chilled treat that satisfies like the real thing.
Now let me tell you the story behind it—because in my kitchen, every recipe begins with a memory
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Table of Contents
A Delightfully Simple Start — 3 ingredient no bake cottage cheese cheesecake
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3 ingredient no bake cottage cheese cheesecake
- Total Time: 10 minutes + 4 hrs chill
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This 3 ingredient no bake cottage cheese cheesecake is creamy, high-protein, and oven-free—just blend, chill, and enjoy.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups cottage cheese (full-fat or low-fat)
2–3 tbsp honey or maple syrup
1 tbsp unflavored gelatin (or agar-agar)
Instructions
1. Blend cottage cheese until completely smooth.
2. Dissolve gelatin in warm water, then stir until clear.
3. Add gelatin and sweetener to cottage cheese and blend again.
4. Pour mixture into a pan or jars.
5. Chill for at least 4 hours until set.
6. Top with fruit or chocolate if desired.
Notes
Use agar-agar for a vegetarian version.
Sweetener can be adjusted to taste or swapped with stevia.
For a crust, press crushed graham crackers into base before pouring.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Why I fell in love with this 3 ingredient no bake cottage cheese cheesecake
Growing up, dessert wasn’t always fancy—but it was always meaningful. I remember watching my grandmother fold ingredients into bowls without ever checking a recipe card. She said, “If it’s sweet enough to make you smile, it’s right.” The first time I tried making cheesecake, I failed—badly. I overbaked it, then underbaked it, then finally gave up baking altogether. But years later, a single bowl of cottage cheese sparked an idea. What if I didn’t bake it at all?
That’s how this 3 ingredient no bake cottage cheese cheesecake came to life. I threw cottage cheese into a blender with a splash of honey and a packet of gelatin. After a few hours in the fridge, it was magic. Creamy, chilled, lightly sweet—and honestly better than any heavy, overdone cheesecake I’d made before. This version felt fresh and familiar all at once.
If you’re already a fan of rich, creamy textures, this 3 ingredient no bake cottage cheese cheesecake might remind you of other indulgent low-carb favorites. One standout is our Keto Chocolate Pound Cake with Cream Cheese, which shares that same satisfying richness but in a baked, chocolatey format. Both recipes highlight how creaminess and simplicity can go hand in hand—whether you’re keeping it light with cottage cheese or diving into decadent keto-friendly chocolate.
What makes it special: no oven, no fuss, big flavor
This isn’t just a shortcut—it’s a legit cheesecake experience. The cottage cheese gives it a smooth tang and a protein-rich texture, while the binder sets it just firm enough to slice or scoop. There’s no crust unless you want one. No water bath. No cracking tops. Just a simple, silky dessert that cools beautifully in the fridge.
This 3 ingredient no bake cottage cheese cheesecake has become a staple in my kitchen. Whether you layer it in jars for a party or just scoop it from a bowl on a Tuesday night, it delivers every time.
Ingredient Spotlight — Cottage Cheese, Sweetener, Binder
Cottage cheese: benefits, texture, protein boost
The magic of this 3 ingredient no bake cottage cheese cheesecake starts with the cottage cheese itself. It’s not just a healthy swap—it’s the heart of the recipe. Cottage cheese brings a gentle tang and a silky consistency when blended. Once whipped smooth, it’s nearly indistinguishable from cream cheese in texture but lighter on the palate and much higher in protein. This makes it a smart choice for anyone looking to create a satisfying dessert without added heaviness.
Sweetener & binder: choosing your flavor and texture
Your second and third ingredients—sweetener and binder—give you room to play. I usually reach for honey or maple syrup to keep things natural, but powdered monk fruit or stevia work beautifully if you’re keeping it low-carb. The key is balancing the tartness of cottage cheese with just enough sweetness to bring that familiar cheesecake vibe to life.
For the binder, unflavored gelatin works best. It gives the dessert that firm, sliceable texture without baking. If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, try agar-agar. Just dissolve it in warm water or milk before blending to avoid any graininess.
Once these three ingredients come together, you’ll have a base that’s rich, balanced, and ready for flavor layering.
Step-by-step — How to easily assemble and chill
No bake assembly: blending and setting
Making this 3 ingredient no bake cottage cheese cheesecake couldn’t be easier. Once you’ve gathered your cottage cheese, sweetener, and binder, the process takes less than 10 minutes. Start by blending the cottage cheese until it’s silky smooth—no lumps allowed. A food processor or high-speed blender works best for achieving that perfectly whipped texture.
Next, dissolve your binder. For gelatin, warm a few tablespoons of milk or water and sprinkle the powder over it. Let it bloom, then stir until fully dissolved. If you’re using agar-agar, boil it in liquid for a few minutes as instructed on the package.
Pour the melted binder into the blended cottage cheese mixture, add your sweetener, and give it one final blitz. You’re just a few steps away from the creamiest 3 ingredient no bake cottage cheese cheesecake you’ve ever tried.
Then transfer it into a pan, bowl, or individual jars—just like we do with our 3 Ingredient No Bake Cheesecake. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight if you want a firmer texture.
Tips for perfect texture and cooling
The key to success with this 3 ingredient no bake cottage cheese cheesecake is chilling. Don’t rush it. The gelatin or agar needs time to set, and the flavors mellow beautifully as it rests. For clean slices, line your pan with parchment or use silicone molds. If you’re going crust-free, spooning into parfait glasses or ramekins is an easy and elegant option.
Once it’s firm and chilled, top with fruit, drizzle with melted chocolate, or just enjoy it plain. That’s the beauty of this recipe—it’s endlessly adaptable and always hits the spot.
Variations & serving ideas — Elevate your cheesecake
Flavor variations: lemon, chocolate, berries
One of the best things about this 3 ingredient no bake cottage cheese cheesecake is how flexible it is. The base recipe is simple, but the possibilities for flavor are wide open. If you’re a lemon lover, stir in a bit of lemon zest and a few drops of juice before setting. It brings a fresh, citrusy lift that pairs beautifully with the tang of cottage cheese.
Craving something richer? Mix in cocoa powder or a swirl of melted dark chocolate. Just be sure to adjust your sweetener slightly to balance the bitterness. For a fruity twist on your 3 ingredient no bake cottage cheese cheesecake, fold in puréed berries or layer them in before chilling. Blueberries, raspberries, or even mango purée work great and look beautiful too..
You can also divide the batch and flavor each portion differently—great for entertaining or making No Bake Biscoff Cheesecake with variety. Just like our biscoff cheesecake cups, a few small tweaks go a long way in transforming this simple base.
Serving suggestions: jars, parfait, crusts, toppings
This 3 ingredient no bake cottage cheese cheesecake can be as fancy or casual as you like. Serve it in small ramekins for a quick snack or dress it up in a graham cracker crust for a more classic presentation. Want a crunch? Add crushed nuts, crumbled cookies, or granola on top right before serving.
For a layered parfait-style dessert, alternate the cheesecake filling with fruit or crumble—just like the layered build in our Chocolate Covered Banana Overnight Oats. It’s perfect for summer and makes a great impression without much effort.
Don’t be afraid to experiment. Add vanilla extract, almond essence, or even a pinch of cinnamon. You’ve got a protein-packed base ready to handle just about anything you throw at it.
Conclusion
This 3 ingredient no bake cottage cheese cheesecake is proof that simple can be satisfying. It’s creamy, protein-rich, and doesn’t ask for more than a blender and a bit of fridge space. Whether you serve it plain, dress it up with toppings, or layer it into jars, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
No crust? No problem. No oven? Even better. With just three ingredients, a little time, and a lot of flavor, this cheesecake fits beautifully into real life.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three ingredients in no-bake cheesecake?
In this 3 ingredient no bake cottage cheese cheesecake, the essential ingredients are: cottage cheese, a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup, and a binder—usually unflavored gelatin or agar-agar. These three elements come together to create a creamy, chilled dessert with minimal effort and no oven needed
Can I use cottage cheese in a no-bake cheesecake?
Absolutely. Cottage cheese is the star of this 3 ingredient no bake cottage cheese cheesecake. When blended until smooth, it mimics the richness of cream cheese but with less fat and more protein. It’s a smart and satisfying substitute, especially in no-bake recipes where oven texture isn’t a concern.
Can you use cottage cheese instead of cream cheese for cheesecake?
Yes—you can swap cream cheese for cottage cheese in many cheesecake recipes, especially no-bake versions like this one. Just make sure to blend it well so there are no lumps. If you enjoy lighter desserts with high protein, this swap is ideal.
What sets a no-bake cheesecake?
No-bake cheesecakes set through refrigeration. The binder—typically gelatin or agar-agar—helps the filling firm up as it chills. In this 3 ingredient no bake cottage cheese cheesecake, once the mixture is blended and poured into a mold or jars, it sets in the fridge over 4 to 6 hours. No oven, no baking, just patience and a cold spot in your fridge.