Let’s be honest — “I don’t have time for breakfast” really means “I couldn’t be bothered.” I see you. I’ve been you. So here’s your fix with no excuses left: five minutes, not a single pan, and around 25g of protein before your brain’s even booted up. Cottage cheese does the heavy lifting — and blended with a scoop of protein and a good squeeze of lemon, that sad little tub your babcia (Polish granny) pushed on you suddenly tastes like something you’d choose on purpose. Who knew.
Who it’s for: anyone who trains before work, “doesn’t do breakfast,” and is then somehow ravenous by 10am. Yeah — that’s the protein talking. Or rather, the lack of it.
- 2 slices sourdough, toasted
- 150 g cottage cheese
- 1 scoop unflavoured whey or pea protein
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 2 slices smoked turkey or salmon
- 4 cucumber ribbons
- Fresh dill or chives, to top
- Mix cottage cheese, protein powder and lemon juice until smooth.
- Spread evenly over the warm toast.
- Layer with turkey, cucumber ribbons and dill.
- Serve straight away while the toast is crisp.
Swap turkey for smoked salmon or shredded chicken · add chilli flakes for a kick.
Gluten free only when made with gluten-free bread.
Why this works
Most breakfasts are all toast, no substance — which is completely backwards if you’re training. This one flips it: protein leads, the sourdough’s just along for the crunch. Hit that 25g mark and you’ll sail past mid-morning without raiding the biscuit tin three times “just for one.” We both know it’s never one.
Make it yours
Smoked salmon if you’re feeling posh · leftover shredded chicken if you’re feeling realistic · chilli flakes for people who like a bit of chaos before 8am · gluten-free bread to keep the whole thing GF.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Cottage cheese is pulling most of the protein weight here, so a straight swap’s a bit cheeky — but thick unsweetened coconut or almond yoghurt blended with a scoop of pea protein gets you impressively close. Skip the whey, use pea, done. Your gut will thank you and nobody has to know.