Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Breakfast Casserole layers mashed potatoes, an egg and cottage cheese mixture, broccoli, and melted mozzarella in one dish, then air fries until the top turns crispy and golden while the inside stays soft. It is high in protein, comes together with ingredients you likely already have, and the air fryer does the work in under 20 minutes.
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Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Breakfast Casserole Recipe
- Mashed potatoes make the base instead of bread or hash browns, so this stays naturally gluten free and gives the casserole some real substance.
- The eggs and cottage cheese mix together and pour right over the potatoes, then broccoli and mozzarella go on top before the whole thing goes into the air fryer.
- The sesame seeds on top are a small touch, but they add a bit of crunch and a nutty flavor against the melted cheese.
Ingredients
- Boiled potatoes - mashed to form the base layer of the casserole.
- Eggs - lightly beaten and mixed with the cottage cheese before pouring over the potatoes.
- Broccoli florets - boiled briefly first, then layered on top.
- Mozzarella - grated and spread over the broccoli, where it melts and browns.
- Cottage cheese - mixed into the eggs, this is where a lot of the protein comes from.
- Salt and pepper - for seasoning the potato layer.
- Sesame seeds - sprinkled on top before air frying, for crunch and color.
Julia's Tip
Check that your baking dish actually fits your air fryer basket before you start. An 8.5 inch dish fits a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer, but baskets vary a lot between brands and sizes, so it is worth measuring first.
If you like cooking with cottage cheese, this is part of my viral high protein cottage cheese recipes collection.
How To Make Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Breakfast Casserole - Step By Step Photos
- Boil the broccoli in boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain and let it cool.
- Choose a baking dish that fits in your air fryer and grease it with olive oil or cooking spray. You can use an 8-inch cake pan (steel with nonstick coating).
- Put the boiled potatoes in the dish and mash them with a fork. Season with salt and pepper and smooth them into an even layer.
- Pour the eggs over the potatoes, then add the cottage cheese and mix the two together.
- Arrange the broccoli on top.
- Spread the mozzarella over the broccoli.
- Sprinkle with the sesame seeds.
- Air fry at 340 degrees Fahrenheit (170 degrees Celsius) for 18 to 20 minutes, until the top is deeply golden and set.
For another high protein breakfast, my cottage cheese scrambled eggs use a similar combination of eggs and cottage cheese.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Breakfast Casserole
- Fresh fruit or a small side salad.
- Toast for the ones in your house who need more carbs at breakfast.
- A cup of coffee or tea.
Tips
- Measure your dish against your air fryer basket first. Not every dish that says "air fryer safe" actually fits every basket size.
- Mash the potatoes while warm. They smooth into an even layer far more easily than once they have cooled.
- Mix the eggs and cottage cheese fully before pouring. This keeps the layers from separating as it cooks.
- Let it rest a few minutes after air frying. It slices more cleanly once it has set for a moment.
Variations
- Swap the vegetable. Spinach or diced bell pepper work in place of broccoli.
- Change the cheese. Cheddar or a Mexican blend melt just as well as mozzarella.
- Add protein. Crumbled cooked bacon or diced ham stirred in with the broccoli turns this into a heartier meal.
- No air fryer? Bake in a regular oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 25 to 30 minutes, until set and golden.
Can I Use Mashed Potato Leftovers?
Yes, about 2 cups of leftover mashed potatoes works well in place of boiling and mashing your own. Just make sure they are not too loose or the base layer will not hold together as well.
Will This Taste Like Cottage Cheese?
Not really. Mixed into the eggs and baked, it mostly adds protein and a slightly creamy texture rather than a distinct cottage cheese flavor.
How To Store Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Breakfast Casserole
- To Store. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat. Warm in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring the top back to crispy, or microwave individual portions.
- To Freeze. Slice and freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
More High Protein Breakfasts You'll Love
Before You Head Out
If you gave this recipe a try, I'd be so thankful if you could leave a ★★★★★ rating and review below. It helps other readers, supports my work, and means the world to me. Thank you for being part of The Yummy Bowl family. Happy cooking! ❤️
Recipe Card
Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Boil the broccoli in boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain and let it cool.5 ounces broccoli florets
- Choose a baking dish that fits in your air fryer and grease it with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Put the boiled potatoes in the dish and mash them with a fork. Season with salt and pepper and smooth them into an even layer.1 pound potatoes, salt
- Pour the eggs over the potatoes, then add the cottage cheese and mix the two together.3 eggs, 1 cup cottage cheese
- Arrange the broccoli on top.5 ounces broccoli florets
- Spread the mozzarella over the broccoli.¾ cup mozzarella
- Sprinkle with the sesame seeds.
- Air fry at 340 degrees Fahrenheit (170 degrees Celsius) for 18 to 20 minutes.
Nutrition
Notes
- Match the dish to your air fryer: an 8.5 inch baking dish fits a Cosori 5.5 quart air fryer. Measure your basket before you buy a dish if you are not sure it will fit.
- Mash the potatoes while they are warm: they smooth into an even layer much more easily than cold potatoes.
- Mix the eggs and cottage cheese together before pouring: this keeps the layers from separating as it cooks.
- Storage: keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring the top back to crispy.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
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