Banana Cottage Cheese Pudding

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Anyone else nostalgic for those long, summer days spent at grandma’s house eating home cooked southern meals and finishing out the evening with her famous banana pudding? No? Okay, I’m from the Northeast, so me neither, but that is the image that comes to mind when I think about banana pudding! I created this take on the ever popular southern dessert with no added sugar and other goodies inside. 

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banana cottage cheese pudding in mason jar

Why I love this recipe

This recipe gives you all the satisfaction of banana pudding, but uses the natural sweetness from ripe bananas AND has a secret ingredient that gives it a huge protein boost: cottage cheese! If that sounds a little odd to you at first, I get it! But trust me, the cottage cheese element in this recipe not only gives it an incredible nutritional boost, but when it’s all blended together, you’d never know it was cottage cheese. It’s creamy, delicious, filling, and nutritious!

Banana Cottage Cheese Pudding

With only four ingredients needed, this recipe is simple and fun for kids to help you prepare! The best part is that this recipe is totally customizable — you can create one tasty base, and then every person can add their preferred toppings to create the perfect refreshing pudding that is full of protein and uses no added sugar! I can’t wait to hear what you think of this recipe.

Ingredients Needed

Pudding ingredients

All you need is:

  • 2 medium bananas
  • ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 cup cottage cheese, 2% or 4% fat content
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

Optional toppings: toasted coconut, sliced banana, chopped fresh pineapple, chopped nuts

How to make this recipe

  1. Peel bananas and slice into ½-inch pieces.
  2. Add bananas and coconut to a nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Watch closely. Stir or toss every minute. Cook 4-6 minutes or until coconut is browned. Remove from heat.
  3. Add banana-coconut mixture, cottage cheese, and vanilla to a high-power blender. Blend on high until smooth.
  4. Scoop into bowls; top with fruit, toasted coconut, or anything you’d like!
Pudding in mason jars
Pudding in mason jar

Recipe FAQs

Can you taste the cottage cheese?

No! Once you blend the mixture up and it becomes the same consistency, you won’t know it was once the texture of cottage cheese. And since it’s sweet like bananas and topped however you like, you get all banana pudding flavor and nothing else!

Can I use something else besides cottage cheese?

You *may* be able to swap for a high-fat Greek yogurt, but I haven’t tried in this recipe to say with 100% certainty. The cottage cheese works like a charm and I promise you’ll never know! If you do opt for the Greek yogurt route, I would add a little pinch of salt along with it!

Can I use “no salt added” cottage cheese?

If you’re on a low sodium diet then yes, go for it! For the rest of you – I haven’t tried it in this recipe so I make no promises. I think it would be more bland and wouldn’t have as much depth of flavor.

What blender do you use?

I am a lifelong fan of Vitamix blenders. There is nothing more durable and powerful! But I also really like the Ninja brand – I can’t speak to their longevity the way I can with Vitamix (I had the same one for about 15 years until someone happened to gift me a newer model), but the price is much more accessible!

Both blenders I have and my other favorite kitchen appliances are on Amazon here!

Kid-friendly mason jars for serving

These are my all time favorite smoothie cups for kids and toddlers – sometimes the simplest design is the best! They also make great pudding serving jars, just without the lid on. They do come with traditional lids (no straw hole) to store leftovers, too.

elk and friends mason jar cups with straws and lids for kids

Expert Tips

You could also serve with a few Nilla wafer cookies and graham crackers- which will make it even more nostalgic and traditional!

Or you could go a tropical direction with more coconut, pineapple, and a dollop of whipped cream! Choose your own adventure!

To add even more of a nutrient boost, add some chia seeds on top.

Other recipes you might like

Baked oatmeal bars
No Sugar Added Baked Oatmeal Bars
Zucchini Banana Bread Muffins
Zucchini Banana Bread Muffins

Because you can never have enough meal & snack ideas…

If you’re looking for more recipes that are kid-friendly for meals AND snacks, check out my new Meal + Snack Survival Guide– available for purchase on my website. Also, grab this free healthy snack guide for more store-bought snack ideas!

Free Snack Guide Download Button

Banana Cottage Cheese Pudding Recipe

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Banana Cottage Cheese Pudding

By: Kacie Barnes, MCN, RDN, LD
Servings: 4
Pudding in mason jar
Anyone else nostalgic for those long, summer days spent at grandma’s house eating home cooked southern meals and finishing out the evening with her famous banana pudding?
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Ingredients 

  • 2 Medium Bananas
  • 1/2 cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
  • 1 cup Cottage Cheese, 2% or 4%
  • 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • Optional toppings: toasted coconut, sliced banana, chopped fresh pineapple, chopped nuts

Instructions 

  • Peel bananas and slice into ½-inch pieces.
  • Add bananas and coconut to a pan over medium-high heat. Watch closely. Stir or toss every minute. Cook 4-6 minutes or until coconut is browned. Remove from heat.
  • Add banana-coconut mixture, cottage cheese, and vanilla to a high-power blender. Blend on high until smooth.
  • Scoop into bowls; top with fruit, toasted coconut, or anything you’d like!

Notes

Nutrition facts calculated for 4 servings, using 2% cottage cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 166kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 7.25gFat: 8gSodium: 178mgFiber: 3.25gSugar: 10g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
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About Kacie Barnes, MCN, RDN, LD

Kacie is a mom of two and a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with her Masters of Clinical Nutrition. Kacie offers e-guides and e-books, workshops, brand partnerships, and nutrition counseling. Her blog offers nutrition and feeding tips for your little ones.

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