Does Cottage Cheese Work in Quiche?

Absolutely. Cottage cheese is an excellent stand-in for heavy cream or milk. It gives quiches a light, fluffy texture while adding a punch of protein. Blending it beforehand ensures a smooth, creamy bite — no curds in sight. It’s a favorite in my kitchen not just for health benefits, but for the extra richness it adds without all the fat.

Can I Substitute Cottage Cheese for Heavy Cream in Quiche?

Yes, and it's one of my favorite swaps. Cottage cheese offers similar creaminess with much less fat and more protein. For best results, blend the cottage cheese before mixing it with eggs. This keeps the texture silky smooth and prevents any separation during baking.

Do I Need to Blind Bake a Mini Quiche?

If you’re making a crustless quiche or baking in a muffin tin (like we do in this recipe), then no blind baking is needed. If you decide to use a crust like phyllo, puff pastry, or a tortilla base you may want to partially bake it first to keep the bottom crisp.

How to Make Quiche with Cottage Cheese and No Crust?

Just skip the pastry! Mix your eggs, blended cottage cheese, and favorite fillings, then pour into a greased muffin tin or baking dish. The cottage cheese creates a custardy base that firms up perfectly in the oven. Check out Part 3 above for the step-by-step guide.

What Can I Substitute for Crust in Quiche?

Several great options: Sweet potato rounds (pre-baked) Cauliflower crust (pressed and baked beforehand) Tortilla circles (light and crunchy) Almond flour + cheese mix for a low-carb alternative Or... go fully crustless! (It still holds beautifully.)

Can You Make Mini Quiches Without Pastry?

Absolutely. In fact, I prefer it that way for simplicity and balance. These mini cottage cheese quiche cups are naturally gluten-free and lower in calories and because they’re baked in muffin tins, they still hold their shape and come out perfectly portioned.

Mini Cottage Cheese Quiche Cups – Easy, Healthy & Crustless

Mini Cottage Cheese Quiche Cups

Print Recipe

These Mini Cottage Cheese Quiche Cups are high in protein, naturally gluten-free, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or meal prep. Made with eggs, cottage cheese, and veggies, they’re a wholesome, crustless alternative to traditional quiche.

Author: Mia Langston
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes (Prep + Cook combined)
Yield: 12 mini quiche cups 1x
Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Meal Prep
Method: Baking (Oven or Air Fryer)
Cuisine: American, Healthy
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

6 large eggs
1 cup cottage cheese (small curd, blended optional)
1/2 cup chopped spinach or kale
1/3 cup chopped bell pepper
1/4 cup diced onion
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt & pepper to taste
Optional: 1/4 cup shredded cheese, turkey sausage, fresh herbs

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease or line a 12-cup muffin tin.
In a large bowl, whisk eggs and cottage cheese until smooth.
Stir in vegetables, seasonings, and any add-ins you like.
Spoon mixture into muffin cups, filling 3/4 of the way full.
Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until tops are golden and centers are set.
Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan.
Enjoy warm or store in fridge up to 5 days or freezer up to 3 months.

Notes

Blend the cottage cheese for a smoother texture if you’re not a fan of curds. A quick pulse in a food processor makes it creamy and seamless in the egg mixture.
Go crustless with confidence. These bake beautifully without pastry and still hold their shape — just be sure to grease the muffin tin well or use silicone liners.
Customize your mix-ins. Think of this as a flexible base recipe: roasted veggies, leftover chicken, or herbs from your garden all work wonderfully.
Perfect for meal prep! These mini quiche cups store well in the fridge and freezer. Make a batch on Sunday and enjoy high-protein breakfasts all week.
Want a crispy edge? Sprinkle a little shredded Parmesan in the bottom of each muffin cup before pouring in the mix — it forms a delicious faux crust.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 mini quiche cup
Calories: 95 kcal
Sugar: 1.1 g
Sodium: 180 mg
Fat: 5.4 g
Saturated Fat: 2.0 g
Unsaturated Fat: 3.0 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 2.3 g
Fiber: 0.4 g
Protein: 8.1 g
Cholesterol: 115 mg

Keywords: mini cottage cheese quiche cups, cottage cheese egg muffins, crustless quiche recipe, high protein breakfast, meal prep egg muffins, healthy mini quiches, gluten free egg cups, cottage cheese recipes, easy quiche recipe, breakfast meal prep, savory muffin tin recipes, low carb quiche, vegetarian quiche muffins, oven baked egg bites, no crust quiche, keto friendly quiche, make ahead breakfast ideas, muffin tin quiche recipe, cottage cheese for breakfast, brunch egg cups

Find it online: https://www.eatbrightly.com/mini-cottage-cheese-quiche-cups/