Baked Cottage Cheese Fries (Printable Version)
Crispy oven-baked cottage cheese sticks seasoned with garlic and paprika for a protein-packed savory snack.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dairy
01 - 1 1/2 cups (about 12 oz) small-curd cottage cheese, well-drained
02 - 1/4 cup (about 1 oz) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
→ Binding and Dry Ingredients
03 - 1/2 cup (about 2 oz) chickpea flour (or all-purpose flour for non-gluten-free version)
04 - 1/4 cup (about 1 oz) cornstarch
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
→ Seasonings
06 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Coating
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil, for brushing (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained cottage cheese and grated Parmesan. Mash lightly with a fork until well blended but retaining some texture.
03 - Add the chickpea flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the cheese mixture. Stir until a soft, moldable dough comes together.
04 - Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Using your hands, press it into a rectangle approximately 1/2 inch thick. Cut into fry-shaped sticks about 1/2 inch wide.
05 - Place the fries evenly on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece. Lightly brush or spray with olive oil for extra crispiness, if desired.
06 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, flipping the fries halfway through, until golden brown and crisp at the edges.
07 - Let the fries cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a plate. Serve warm with your preferred dipping sauce.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These fries pack 13 grams of protein per serving, which makes them genuinely filling instead of just crunchy temptation.
- Everything bakes on one sheet pan, so cleanup is almost nonexistent.
02 -
- Wet cottage cheese is the enemy of crisp fries, so press it firmly in a fine mesh strainer or squeeze it in a clean towel before mixing.
- Flip the fries at the 15 minute mark without fail or one side stays pale and soft.
03 -
- Wet hands slightly when shaping the dough so it does not crack or crumble on you.
- A pizza cutter makes faster and straighter work of slicing than a knife ever will.