Fluffy & Flavorful: Your Guide to Easy Low-Carb Cloud Bread with Cottage Cheese & Herbs
Discover the delightful world of Cloud Bread! This incredibly light and airy, low-carb recipe gets a burst of savory flavor from aromatic herbs and the creamy touch of cottage cheese. Effortless to prepare and wonderfully versatile, it’s a perfect companion for a hearty vegetable soup or any meal needing a gluten-free, guilt-free bread alternative. Prepare to be amazed by its melt-in-your-mouth texture!
This month, I enthusiastically participated in a beloved tradition among food bloggers: the food blog swap. It’s an exciting opportunity where you’re assigned another blogger’s platform and tasked with cooking from their recipes. This time, I had the pleasure of exploring easydailyfood.com, a Dutch food blog curated by Marijke, which focuses on quick, healthy, and easy culinary creations. From the moment I landed on her site, I was captivated by the refreshing photography and the array of appealing recipes. It truly felt like a treat to dive into her world of accessible and nutritious cooking.
What I find most enchanting about the food blog swap is the unique chance it provides to delve into someone else’s culinary perspective. You get to discover blogs you might never have encountered otherwise, and then you’re given free rein to explore all their recipes. It’s a wonderful journey of culinary discovery, often leading to new favorites and inspiring fresh ideas for your own kitchen endeavors. This particular swap was no exception, offering a rich tapestry of healthy and practical dishes.
However, this delightful exploration often comes with a common blogger’s dilemma: the sheer burden of choice. With so many tempting recipes staring back at me, I frequently find myself lost in a sea of delicious possibilities, unsure of which gem to pick. This time was no different; the “choice stress” was real! Every recipe on Marijke’s blog looked incredibly tasty and wholesome. After much deliberation, I decided to focus on a recipe that was quick, healthy, and perfectly aligned with a low-carb philosophy, a trend I, much like Marijke, had been seeing frequently in my own blog rolls: cloud bread.
Cloud bread has taken the culinary world by storm, largely due to its super trendy status and remarkable ease of preparation. While I don’t strictly adhere to a low-carb diet, I am a firm believer in variety and incorporating diverse, healthy options into my meals. A recipe that is naturally low in carbohydrates can be a wonderfully refreshing and light alternative to traditional bread, offering a different texture and flavor profile without compromising on satisfaction. It’s about balance and enjoying delicious food in all its forms.
I chose to pair this airy cloud bread with a delicious bowl of homemade vegetable soup, creating a perfectly balanced and satisfying low-carb lunch. It’s worth noting that while cloud bread is incredibly flavorful and full of air, it doesn’t offer the same kind of heavy “fullness” that traditional bread might. Its lightness is its charm, making it an ideal canvas for other dishes. In this case, the hearty vegetable soup served as a fantastic, complementary supplement, ensuring a complete and nourishing meal. To make the preparation process even smoother and more accessible for everyone, I also took the time to create a detailed video showcasing all the steps involved, ensuring your cloud bread journey will be as easy as possible!
What Exactly is Cloud Bread? The Airy Alternative Explained
If you’re new to the world of cloud bread, you might be wondering what this intriguing name actually refers to. Often called “Oopsie Bread” or “Miracle Rolls,” cloud bread is an incredibly light, airy, and essentially flourless bread alternative. It’s made primarily from eggs, a dairy component like cottage cheese or cream cheese, and a leavening agent. The magic lies in whipping egg whites to stiff peaks, creating a meringue-like base that gives the bread its signature cloud-like texture – soft, delicate, and almost melting in your mouth. Unlike traditional bread, there’s no yeast, no kneading, and minimal carbohydrates, making it a favorite among those following ketogenic, low-carb, or gluten-free diets.
Its recent surge in popularity can be attributed to its ability to satisfy the craving for bread without the guilt or carb count. It’s a versatile foundation, ready to be customized with various savory or sweet additions. This recipe, specifically, leans into the savory side with the addition of cottage cheese and fragrant herbs, transforming simple ingredients into a surprisingly sophisticated and satisfying bite.
The Dynamic Duo: Cottage Cheese and Herbs
The brilliance of this cloud bread recipe lies in its star ingredients beyond the eggs: cottage cheese and Italian herbs. Each plays a crucial role in enhancing both the flavor and the structural integrity of these delightful “clouds.”
The Magic of Cottage Cheese
- **Protein Boost:** Cottage cheese is a fantastic source of protein, which contributes to a more satiating and nutritious end product. It helps you feel fuller for longer, making this cloud bread an excellent choice for breakfast, lunch, or a healthy snack.
- **Moisture and Texture:** The natural moisture content of cottage cheese helps keep the cloud bread from becoming too dry, contributing to its tender, delicate crumb. It also adds a subtle creaminess that elevates the overall taste experience.
- **Subtle Tang:** Cottage cheese introduces a mild, pleasant tang that beautifully complements the richness of the egg yolks and the freshness of the herbs. This slight acidity brightens the flavors without overpowering them.
- **Structural Support:** While egg whites provide the lift, cottage cheese lends a bit more body and stability to the finished bun, ensuring it holds its shape while remaining wonderfully soft.
The Fragrance of Italian Herbs
Choosing Italian herbs for this recipe imbues the cloud bread with a classic, aromatic flavor profile that is both comforting and incredibly versatile. The blend typically includes oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram, offering a harmonious mix of earthy, peppery, and slightly sweet notes.
These herbs transform a simple egg and cheese base into something truly special, making each bite a fragrant experience. They not only add depth of flavor but also bring a visual appeal with flecks of green. While Italian herbs are a superb choice, feel free to experiment with other fresh or dried herbs like chives, dill, or even a touch of garlic powder for a different twist. The herbaceous notes make this cloud bread an excellent savory accompaniment to a variety of dishes.
Why This Low-Carb Cloud Bread is a Kitchen Game-Changer
Beyond its appealing taste and texture, this cloud bread with cottage cheese and herbs offers a host of benefits that make it a fantastic addition to any healthy eating plan, whether you’re strictly low-carb or simply looking for delicious, wholesome options.
- Low-Carb and Keto-Friendly: For those managing their carbohydrate intake, this recipe is a dream come true. It provides a satisfying bread-like experience without the high carb count of traditional loaves, making it perfect for ketogenic and other low-carb diets.
- Naturally Gluten-Free: Since it contains no flour, this cloud bread is naturally gluten-free, offering a safe and delicious alternative for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
- Protein-Packed: Thanks to the eggs and cottage cheese, these little clouds are brimming with protein. Protein is essential for muscle repair, satiety, and overall body function, helping to keep you full and energized throughout the day.
- Quick and Easy Preparation: With just a few simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can have a batch of these fresh cloud breads ready in under an hour. It’s perfect for busy mornings or last-minute meal additions.
- Incredibly Versatile: While we love them with soup, these cloud breads can be enjoyed in countless ways. Use them as mini sandwich buns, a base for avocado toast, a side for salads, or even with a savory dip. Their neutral-yet-herby flavor makes them adaptable to almost any meal.
- Light and Satisfying: They are wonderfully light and airy, preventing that heavy, bloated feeling often associated with denser breads. Yet, when paired with the right components, they contribute to a truly satisfying meal.
Tips for Perfect Cloud Bread Every Time
Achieving that perfect, ethereal cloud bread texture is simpler than you might think, but a few key tips can make all the difference:
- Sparkling Clean, Fat-Free Bowls: This is arguably the most crucial step! Any trace of fat (oil, grease, or even a speck of egg yolk) in your mixing bowl or on your whisk can prevent the egg whites from whipping up to stiff peaks. Use glass or metal bowls, and ensure they are impeccably clean and dry. Wiping them down with a lemon wedge or vinegar can help.
- Achieving Stiff Peaks: When beating the egg whites, you want them to be glossy, firm, and able to hold their shape. When you lift the whisk, the peaks should stand upright without drooping. You should be able to turn the bowl upside down without the egg whites falling out. This airy structure is the foundation of your cloud bread.
- Gentle Folding is Key: Once the egg whites are stiff, the goal is to incorporate them into the yolk mixture without deflating them. Use a spatula and a gentle folding technique, bringing the mixture from the bottom of the bowl over the top. Don’t overmix; a few streaks of white are fine. This preserves the air that gives cloud bread its signature lightness.
- Accurate Oven Temperature: Cloud bread bakes best at a moderate temperature. Preheating your oven thoroughly ensures a consistent heat that allows the bread to rise and set properly. Avoid opening the oven door frequently, as this can cause the delicate structure to collapse.
- Cooling is Essential: While it might be tempting to dig in right away, allowing the cloud bread to cool slightly on the baking sheet will help it firm up and prevent it from sticking to the parchment paper. They become easier to handle and separate once slightly cooled.
- Storage: Store leftover cloud bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, they can be frozen for up to a month and then gently reheated.
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📖 Recipe
VIDEO
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 eggs , size L
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 3 tablespoons quark , / cottage cheese
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons Italian herbs
- pinch salt
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to320 °F or 290 °F (160°C or 145°C convection).
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring it covers the entire surface for easy removal.
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Prepare your ingredients in separate bowls or trays (mise-en-place). This will significantly streamline the preparation process and make it much more enjoyable.
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Carefully separate the eggs, placing the egg whites in one large bowl and the yolks in another. It is absolutely crucial to use impeccably clean, fat-free bowls for the egg whites; even a tiny speck of fat will prevent them from whipping up properly.3 eggs
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Sprinkle the baking powder evenly over the egg whites. Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until they form stiff, glossy peaks. A good test is to carefully turn the bowl upside down – the egg whites should remain firmly stuck to the bottom.¼ teaspoon baking powder
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In the second bowl (with the egg yolks), add the honey, cottage cheese (or quark), Italian herbs, and a pinch of salt. Whisk these ingredients together until well combined and smooth.3 tablespoons quark, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 teaspoons Italian herbs, pinch salt
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Gently add about one-third of the stiff egg whites to the egg yolk mixture. Fold them in carefully with a spatula. This step helps to lighten the yolk mixture and “temper” it, making it easier to incorporate the remaining whites without deflating them. The mixture should become noticeably more airy.
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Once that first portion is well combined, gently fold the remaining two-thirds of the stiff egg whites into the yolk mixture. Be very careful not to overmix or be too rough, as the goal is to preserve as much of that precious air as possible, which is essential for the cloud-like texture.
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Using an ice cream scoop or a large spoon, carefully place rounded portions of the cloud bread batter onto your prepared baking sheet. Leave some space between each “cloud” as they will expand slightly. Once all batter is placed, immediately transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven.
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Bake the cloud bread for approximately 20 minutes, or until they are beautifully golden brown and firm to the touch. They should feel light and airy.
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Once baked, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Allow the cloud bread to cool completely on the parchment paper. This cooling process helps them firm up and makes them much easier to handle.
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Once cooled, gently scoop them off the baking paper with a spatula or pallet knife. Serve immediately and enjoy these wonderfully airy, low-carb delights!
Nutrition
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