Strawberry Crunch Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Bars
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small commission. Read our full disclosure.
If you chased down the ice cream truck as a kid you remember strawberry crunch bars. These homemade ice cream bars have the creamiest texture and taste like strawberry cheesecake but made with healthier, high-protein ingredients.
This frozen treat has a layer of graham cracker crust followed by a soft ice cream base of cottage cheese, strawberries and honey. The top layer has golden Oreos and freeze dried strawberries to add a perfect crunch.
These dreamy ice cream bars are one of my favorite things to make in the summer. For another cold, high protein dessert, try cottage dessert bowls or mini strawberry cheesecakes.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Simple ingredients!
- 8 grams of protein per bar.
- No ice cream maker needed.
Ingredients and Substitutions:
These are the main ingredients and substitutions for this cottage cheese ice cream recipe. See the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and instructions.

- Low-Fat Cottage Cheese: for a more creamy texture, use full-fat cottage cheese.
- Honey: or maple syrup. You can lower to 1/4 cup if preferred but 1/3 cup adds the perfect level of sweetness.
- Strawberries: fresh strawberries are best for this.
- Melted Coconut Oil: this helps the graham crackers stick together when freezing.
- Golden Oreo Thins: a must for that ice cream truck flavor.
- Freeze-Dried Strawberries: another must for a similar flavor to the ice cream bars. You can buy these in a small bag at the grocery store.
Variations
- Try frozen banana snickers bars for a chocolatey version of these.
- Add your favorite toppings, like chocolate chips or fresh fruit.
- Use regular ice cream or even “nice cream” instead.
Dietary Modifications
- This recipe is gluten-free if you use gluten-free graham crackers and gluten-free Oreos.
How to make this easy dessert recipe (a step-by-step visual guide):
Step 1: make the cottage cheese ice cream

In a high-speed blender or food processor, add the cottage cheese, honey and strawberries (image 1).

Blend for at least 5 minutes until completely smooth (image 2).
Step 2: crush graham crackers and add coconut oil

Add the graham crackers to a ziplock and crush with a rolling pin (image 3) and transfer to a small bowl

Add the melted coconut oil and mix to combine until it resembles wet sand (image 4).
Step 3: layer the mixture in a loaf pan
Line a loaf pan with parchment paper so the long side hangs over, this will help pull the bars out once frozen.

Add the graham cracker mixture to the bottom and press it down (image 5).

Top the graham crackers with the cottage cheese ice cream (image 6).
Step 5: crush Oreos and dried strawberries and add on top

To another ziplock, add the golden Oreo thins and freeze dried strawberries and crush with rolling pin (image 7).

Sprinkle on top of the ice cream to evenly coat the top of the ice cream (image 8).
Step 6: freeze
Top with foil and freeze for 4-5 hours. Remove and pull the ice cream bars out using the parchment paper. Cut down the center lengthwise and into 8 equal squares. (you can eat them at this point through they’ll be slightly soft in the center still) Return to the pan, top with foil and freezzefor another 3-4 hours.
Step 7: defrost before enjoying
When ready to enjoy you MUST let these defrost for 15-20 minutes before eating to ensure they’re soft and creamy and no longer icy. Let the pan sit at room temp until you can easily pull the bars out using the parchment paper. The longer you freeze the ice cream bars, the longer it will take to defrost.

Expert Tip!
The best way to eat these healthy ice cream bars is to let them defrost for 10-20 minutes before enjoying. Difficult? Yes. Worth it? Also yes.
Recipe FAQs
To avoid freezer burn, store your ice cream bars in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
Yes! I used low-fat cottage cheese to lower the fat and calories but you can absolutely use a higher fat cottage cheese for a creamier and richer bar.
The longer these defrost the less icy they will be! If you’ve ever frozen greek yogurt, this is similar, it takes a while for the icyness to defrost but it’s worth the wait!
Check out our other yummy cottage cheese recipes!
If you make this recipe, please leave a rating and/or comment! Tag me on Instagram @ohsnapmacros, I love hearing from you!

Strawberry Crunch Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Bars
๐ฑ MyFitnessPal & MacrosFirst App Users
You can find this recipe and many others on MyFitnessPal and MacrosFirst by searching: Ohsnapmacros – Strawberry Crunch Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups low-fat cottage cheese (Good Culture) 16 oz.
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1.5 cups strawberries halved
- 4 sheets graham crackers crumbled
- 1 Tbsp. coconut oil melted
- 4 Golden Oreo Thins crumbled
- 1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries 8g crumbled
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender, add the cottage cheese, honey and strawberries. Blend for at least 5 minutes until completely smooth.
- Add the graham crackers to a ziplock and crush with a rolling pin and transfer to a small bowl. Add the melted coconut oil and mix to combine until it resembles wet sand.ย
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper so the long side hangs over, this will help pull the bars out once frozen. Add the graham cracker mixture to the bottom and press it down well.
- Pour the cottage cheese ice cream mixture over the graham crackers.
- To another ziplock, add the Golden Oreo Thins and freeze dried strawberries and crush with rolling pin. Sprinkle on top of the ice cream to evenly coat the top.
- Top with foil and freeze for 4-5 hours. Remove and pull the ice cream bars out using the parchment paper. Cut down the center lengthwise and into 8 equal squares (you can eat them at this point though they'll be slightly soft in the center still). Return to the pan, top with foil and freeze for another 3-4 hours.
- When ready to enjoy you MUST let these defrost for 15-20 minutes before eating to ensure they're soft and creamy and no longer icy. Let the pan sit at room temp until you can easily pull the bars out using the parchment paper. The longer you freeze the ice cream bars, the longer it will take to defrost.
- TIP: itโs easier to cut halfway through freezing ~ after 4-5 hours in the freezer before itโs super hard, otherwise you'll have to let the entire pan defrost before cutting vs. pre cutting and pulling out however many you want to enjoy to defrost!ย Return to the freezer to easily enjoy the bars, when desired.
Notes
- If you freeze these for longer then 8 hours they MUST defrost before cutting and eating. This usually takes 20 minutes.
- The longer you let them sit, the creamier the ice cream will be as it does get rock hard overnight with an icy texture while defrosting. Itโs worth the wait!!
- You can lower the honey to 1/4 cup if preferred. 1/3 cup adds the perfect amount of sweetness.ย
- I suggest cutting them into bars after 4-5 hours in the freezer. Either eat them right away or return them to the freezer. This way, they will already be in bar form and you can defrost each one individually when ready to eat.
- Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary with substitutions.ย
Excellent! I will be making it again soon!
Thanks for the review! Glad you loved it!