Save The first time I mentioned cottage cheese chips to friends, they looked at me like I was suggesting we bake tofu and call it cookies. But then these came out of the oven—golden, impossibly crispy, and somehow savory in a way that made everyone reach for one, then another, then suddenly the whole tray was empty.
I started making these during a long afternoon of recipe testing, half convinced they would turn into cottage cheese puddles in the oven. The moment I tapped one with a spoon and heard that hollow, chip like sound, I actually said whoa out loud to an empty kitchen.
Ingredients
- Cottage cheese: Full fat gives you the best crunch, but low fat works too—small curds drain faster and spread more evenly
- Garlic powder: This mellows beautifully in the oven, becoming savory instead of sharp
- Onion powder: The secret ingredient that makes people ask what makes these taste so good
- Smoked paprika: Optional but adds this subtle depth that keeps you reaching for another chip
- Freshly ground black pepper: Freshly cracked makes a difference you can taste
- Salt: Cottage cheese is already salty, so a little goes a long way
- Chives: Fresh herbs sprinkled on before baking turn crispy and concentrated
- Grated Parmesan: Creates these salty, umami rich edges that are honestly the best part
Instructions
- Get everything ready:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat
- Drain the cottage cheese:
- Pour it into a fine mesh sieve and press gently, then pat with paper towels until its as dry as you can get it
- Season the mixture:
- Mix the drained cottage cheese with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, pepper, and salt until combined
- Shape the chips:
- Spoon tablespoon sized mounds onto the baking sheet and flatten them into thin circles, leaving space between each
- Add toppings:
- Sprinkle with chives or Parmesan now so they bake into the chips
- Bake until crispy:
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the edges are golden brown and the centers feel firm
- Let them cool completely:
- This is the hardest part, but they keep crisping up as they cool on the sheet
- Serve or store:
- Lift them carefully and serve immediately, or store in an airtight container for a couple of days
Save My sister called me mid bite during her first visit over, demanding to know why these were not a regular thing in our childhood. Now she keeps a batch in her fridge at all times and texts me every time she pulls them out.
Make Them Your Own
The seasoning base is perfect as is, but once you have the method down, these become a canvas. Try chili flakes for heat or Italian herbs for something closer to an everything cracker vibe.
Serving Ideas That Work
These stand on their own, but they shine alongside dips. Greek yogurt dip, salsa, guacamole—even just hummus—turn them into something that feels like a party spread happened.
Storage Truths
They are best fresh from the oven, but they keep surprisingly well if stored in an airtight container. After a couple of days, they lose some of their snap, but a quick toast in the oven brings them back.
- Do not refrigerate them unless you have to—cold makes them lose their crunch
- If they soften, pop them in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes
- Double the batch because they disappear faster than you expect
Save Sometimes the simplest ideas turn out to be the ones that stick around.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I achieve maximum crispiness?
Ensure the cottage cheese is thoroughly drained to remove excess moisture. Pat dry with paper towels before mixing to help the chips become crisp during baking.
- → Can I add other spices for flavor?
Yes, chili flakes or dried herbs work well to customize the seasoning and boost the savory notes of the chips.
- → Are these chips gluten-free?
Yes, made primarily from cottage cheese and spices without gluten-containing ingredients, these chips are suitable for gluten-free diets.
- → What’s the best way to serve them?
Serve them as a crunchy snack paired with dips like Greek yogurt, salsa, or guacamole for enhanced flavor and texture.
- → How long do the chips stay fresh?
Store them in an airtight container for up to two days to maintain their crispness and freshness.
- → Can I use low-fat cottage cheese?
Yes, both full-fat and low-fat small-curd cottage cheese work well, though full-fat may yield richer flavor.