Breakfast should be fun, quick, and easy. But what if it’s also packed with nutrients and tastes like dessert? I say, there’s nothing better.
This strawberry cheesecake smoothie checks all of those boxes. You can whip it up in just a few minutes, and sip on something nourishing that truly tastes like a slice of cheesecake. It packs 18g of protein without using any protein powder (though you’re welcome to add some!) and is such a great way to fuel your busy summer day.
Blend it up, make extra for your kiddos, and enjoy a lovely breakfast or snack any day of the week.
Ingredients in this strawberry cheesecake smoothie
You’ll need just 6 simple ingredients to make this creamy, dreamy, dessert-worthy smoothie:
- Cottage cheese: this smoothie gets that tangy cheesecake flavor (and 18g of protein) from cottage cheese! I love Good Culture because it adds a boost of probiotics, too.
- Milk: you’ll need some milk to help blend the smoothie ingredients. I like unsweetened almond milk, but feel free to use any milk you’d like.
- Fruit: we’re using both frozen banana and frozen strawberries.
- Date: I like to add a little extra sweetness by blending in a Medjool date.
- Flavor boosters: add a splash of vanilla extract and a tiny bit of almond extract to really bring out the strawberry dessert flavor.
Make this smoothie your own
Like almost all smoothie recipes, you can really customize this recipe with what you have on hand!
- Try a new fruit: feel free to swap the strawberries for frozen raspberries, blueberries, cherries, or blackberries! A bag of frozen mixed berries would also work well.
- Go dairy-free/vegan: you can also use your favorite dairy-free cottage cheese or greek yogurt to keep the smoothie dairy-free and vegan.
- Add extra protein: you can absolutely blend in a scoop of your favorite plain or vanilla protein powder, or collagen peptides.
More nutritional boosters to try
This smoothie packs in 8g of fiber and 18g of protein, but you can absolutely boost the nutrients with any of these ingredients:
- Nut butter: for extra healthy fats, feel free to blend in 1 tablespoon of your fav nut butter. Strawberry peanut butter cheesecake, anyone?!
- Hemp hearts: I like blending in a tablespoon of hemp hearts for healthy fats, omegas, and minerals.
- Flaxseed meal: add fiber and minerals with a tablespoon of flaxseed meal. This is especially great for nursing moms to help increase milk supply!
- Chia seeds: try adding in a tablespoon of chia seeds for even more healthy fats and fiber.
My best smoothie-making tips
I have some key tips and tricks for making the best strawberry cheesecake smoothie so that it’s nice and creamy:
- Use frozen ingredients. Using frozen fruit is best, as it helps keep the smoothie cold and thick. Sometimes ice doesn’t blend as well, so it’s best to skip it unless absolutely necessary.
- Add more liquid. Don’t be afraid to add more milk if your smoothie is too thick or won’t fully blend. High powered blenders tend to blend frozen fruit much better, so if you have a regular or personal size blender, you may need to add more milk.
- Start on low speed. Start the blender on low speed, then gradually increase to high to help blend all ingredients.
Don’t forget the yummy toppings
- Add some crushed graham crackers and a little whipped cream for a more decadent, true cheesecake feel
- Top with fresh strawberries and homemade granola
- Add a drizzle of nut butter if you like a berry nut butter cheesecake flavor
Want to make it ahead of time?
I love to meal prep smoothies for busy weeks! Make this strawberry cheesecake smoothie as-is or even double it and then try one of my three amazing ways to prep and store smoothies right in your freezer.
My go-to smoothie-making tools
- High-powered blender
- Personal-sized blender
- Reusable straws
- Mason jars
- Ice cube trays
- Freezer-friendly bags
Check out more of our favorite go-to kitchen essentials here.
More smoothie recipes you’ll love
- Refreshing Pineapple Kale Smoothie
- Pretty in Pink Peach Smoothie
- Lemon Blueberry Smoothie
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
- Ridiculously Good Wild Blueberry Muffin Smoothie
Get all of my smoothie recipes here!
I hope you love this strawberry cheesecake smoothie recipe! If you make it, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!
Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie
Ingredients
- ½ cup low fat cottage cheese (I like Good Culture)
- 1 cup milk of choice (I like unsweetened almond milk)
- 1 medium ripe frozen banana
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 large pitted Medjool date
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract, optional
- Optional add-ins
- 1 scoop vanilla or unflavored protein powder
- 1 tablespoon hemp hearts
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a high powered blender: cottage cheese, milk, banana, strawberries, date, vanilla and almond extracts. Feel free to add any optional add-ins to your smoothie if you’d like. Blend until smooth, adding more milk to thin, if necessary. Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately. Garnish with crushed graham crackers or a little whipped cream for more of a cheesecake feel, if desired. Makes 1 smoothie.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
Perfect mid-day way to feel full and sneak in protein. plus, easy to make during nap time!
Absolutely! Glad you enjoyed!
Any brand recommendations for dairy-free cottage cheese?
I haven’t tried many, but you can also use dairy-free yogurt like siggi’s plant-based cups!
I use similar ingredients and many of the add ons you mentioned. You might try Strawberry Kefir instead of milk. I use it a lot.
That sounds great!