Cottage Cheese Fruit Bowl

High-protein cottage cheese bowl with fruit and seeds.

Ingredients

Remove the cottage cheese from the refrigerator 5 minutes before serving to allow it to reach a cool but not ice-cold temperature, which enhances the flavor and texture.
Divide the low-fat cottage cheese evenly between two serving bowls, about 3/4 cup per bowl. If desired, gently stir the cottage cheese to smooth out any large curds and improve the texture.
Arrange the fresh pineapple chunks over the cottage cheese, distributing them evenly. The sweetness of the pineapple provides a natural contrast to the creamy, slightly tangy cottage cheese.
Add the sliced fresh strawberries to each bowl, scattering them around the pineapple. Fresh berries not only add flavor but also provide bright color and antioxidants.
Sprinkle 1 tbsp of pumpkin seeds over each bowl. The seeds add a pleasant crunch, nutty flavor, and increase the protein and healthy fat content of the bowl.
Finish each bowl with a light pinch of ground cinnamon sprinkled on top. The warm spice flavor complements both the fruit and cottage cheese beautifully.
Serve immediately while the cottage cheese is cool and the fruit is fresh. Enjoy as is, or consider adding a drizzle of honey if you prefer extra sweetness.

Prep-ahead: You can prepare the cottage cheese base an hour in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. Add the fruit and seeds just before serving to keep them fresh and prevent the bowl from becoming watery.
Fruit swaps: Substitute pineapple and strawberries with blueberries, raspberries, diced peach, or fresh mango. Any combination of seasonal fruits works beautifully with cottage cheese.
Seed alternatives: Pumpkin seeds can be swapped for sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, or chopped almonds for similar crunch and nutritional benefits.
Sweet addition: Drizzle with a teaspoon of raw honey or pure maple syrup for added sweetness, or add a small handful of granola for extra crunch and texture.