17 High-Protein Snacks That Aren't Cottage Cheese

Reviewed by Dietitian Jane Leverich, M.S., RDN
Credit: Photographer: Alex Huang.
Credit: Photographer: Alex Huang.

Cottage cheese has a glowing reputation for being a protein-packed snack, but it’s not the only option. Turn to these recipes, which feature other satisfying foods like nuts, seeds, oats, legumes and yogurt to offer at least 7 grams of protein per serving. Protein helps with healthy digestion, muscle recovery and staying full for longer. Healthy recipes like our Chocolate-Pistachio Energy Balls and our High-Protein Almond Butter & Strawberry Oatmeal Bars help you switch up your snack time and pack lots of flavor into a few delicious bites.

01 of 17

Chocolate-Pistachio Energy Balls

Credit: Photographer: Alex Huang.
Credit: Photographer: Alex Huang.

These no-bake chocolate-pistachio energy balls combine black beans, dates and almond butter for a naturally sweet, protein-rich snack. Cocoa powder and chopped chocolate add depth, while pistachios give each bite a crunchy finish.

View Recipe

02 of 17

High-Protein Almond Butter & Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Mashed bananas and strawberries naturally sweeten these oatmeal bars, while almond butter and yogurt add protein and richness. Finished with a jammy strawberry swirl, these soft-baked bars strike the perfect balance between comforting and energizing.

View Recipe

03 of 17

Crunchy Roasted Edamame

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.

Roasting the edamame slowly at a low temperature helps them dry out and crisp up without burning. Enjoy them on their own, or use them as a salad topper for added crunch.

View Recipe

04 of 17

High-Protein Peanut Butter-Blueberry Oatmeal Bars

Credit: Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee, Food Stylist: Amanda Holstein.
Credit: Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee, Food Stylist: Amanda Holstein.

Served warm or at room temperature, these soft-baked bars are an easy make-ahead snack you’ll want on repeat all week. A quick stovetop blueberry-chia “jam” gets swirled through the batter, creating pops of fruity flavor.

View Recipe

05 of 17

Spiced Roasted Almonds

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.

These spiced almonds deliver the perfect balance of fiber, protein and healthy fat for a filling snack. They’re a good mix of crunch, sweetness and spice. They’re easy to make and store so you have a healthy bite on hand.

View Recipe

06 of 17

Homemade Protein Bars

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

These homemade protein bars are packed with oats, almond flour, cashews and hemp seeds for a satisfying snack. Great for grab-and-go breakfasts or post-workout fuel, they’re a smart, homemade alternative to store-bought versions.

View Recipe

07 of 17

Crunchy High-Protein Quinoa Bites

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

These crunchy quinoa bites are a delicious snack packed with puffed quinoa and almond butter. Similar to popcorn, puffed quinoa has been heated until it pops, creating a light, crispy texture that works perfectly in this healthy snack.

View Recipe

08 of 17

High-Protein Caesar Dip

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

This versatile high-protein dip is the perfect companion for your favorite veggies. Made with strained (Greek-style) yogurt and sour cream and blended with Parmesan cheese and Worcestershire sauce, it’s reminiscent of the flavors in Caesar salad dressing.

View Recipe

09 of 17

Lemon-Raspberry Frozen Yogurt Bites

Credit: Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Credit: Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Freeze-dried raspberries are crushed into a fruity powder and mixed with creamy strained (Greek-style) yogurt, vanilla and bright lemon zest. This mixture coats fresh raspberries, which are then frozen to create a perfectly chilled, tangy-sweet snack.

View Recipe

10 of 17

Cucumber-Dill Ricotta Snack Jar

Credit: Photography: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco
Credit: Photography: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco

This simple snack jar features herbaceous ricotta cheese alongside cucumber and bell pepper for dipping. Use any color mini bell pepper you have on hand. You can easily double this recipe to keep an extra snack in the fridge.

View Recipe

11 of 17

Peanut Butter Yogurt Cup with Magic Shell Topping

Credit: Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco
Credit: Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco

This easy, high-protein snack tastes just like a Reese’s peanut butter cup. You can conveniently make it in the yogurt container for quick cleanup.

View Recipe

12 of 17

Marry Me-Inspired Dip

Credit: Photographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Amanda Stanfield, Prop Stylist: Joshua Hoggle
Credit: Photographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Amanda Stanfield, Prop Stylist: Joshua Hoggle

Tangy sun-dried tomatoes add a pop of acidity and make this creamy bean dip reminiscent of Marry Me Chicken. We use carrots, peppers, radishes and snap peas for dunking, but you can use your favorite crunchy veggies.

View Recipe

13 of 17

Trail Mix Energy Bites

Credit: photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle
Credit: photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle

These energy balls are made with black beans for a delicious, nutritious twist on a classic snack. Black beans add plant-based protein and fiber, while also acting as the perfect binder to keep the ingredients together. Dates and apricots add natural sweetness to the mixture.

View Recipe

14 of 17

Lemon-Dill Tuna Salad

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower

This tuna salad packs plenty of protein and gets a boost of flavor from sumac—a spice used in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and North African cooking that adds a citrusy touch, enhancing the lemon flavor without overshadowing the other ingredients.

View Recipe

15 of 17

Passion Fruit Oatmeal Cakes

Credit: Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Credit: Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

These fiber-packed oatmeal cakes are bursting with tropical passion fruit flavor—a delightful balance of tangy, sweet and slightly floral notes that will instantly brighten your morning.

View Recipe

16 of 17

Gut-Friendly Snack Mix

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Christina Brockman
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Christina Brockman

This curried cashew snack mix features toasted edamame—a prebiotic food that sets the stage for a healthy gut. A combination of spices and red curry paste brings flavor and heat to this grab-and-go snack.

View Recipe

17 of 17

Easy Black Bean Dip

This creamy bean dip is great for a party or picnic. Smoked paprika and ground chipotles add a robust, earthy flavor, but you can also use regular paprika and cayenne if you don't have the other spices on hand.

View Recipe

Original Source:

https://www.eatingwell.com/high-protein-snack-recipes-that-arent-cottage-cheese-11919061