Each serving of these peach cobbler custard cups delivers 26 grams of protein from a combination of whole eggs, egg whites, Greek yogurt, and cottage cheese — a lineup that covers all essential amino acids. A scoop of vanilla protein powder rounds out the profile without adding sugar or bulk. With just 310 calories and 11 grams of fat per serving, this is a dessert that earns its place in a high-protein eating plan.

The custard base is silky and lightly sweet, with warm cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg threading through every bite. Ripe peach pieces soften during cooking and release their juice into the custard, creating pockets of fruit that taste almost caramelized. A crunchy oat-and-almond-flour crumble on top provides contrast — the kind of toasty, brown-sugar texture that makes peach cobbler a classic American dessert in the first place.

Air frying at a moderate temperature sets the custard gently without the rubbery edges that a conventional oven sometimes produces. The individual silicone cups make portion control automatic — two cups per serving is a satisfying amount that feels like a real dessert without overwhelming a reduced appetite. They also reheat well, which means you can batch them on a Sunday and pull one from the fridge as a midweek treat.

Why This Works on GLP-1

Twenty-six grams of protein in a dessert is unusual, and it matters for anyone on Mounjaro or a similar GLP-1 medication. Reduced appetite often means reduced total protein intake, which over time can lead to muscle loss — a problem that undercuts the metabolic benefits of weight loss. By building protein into the places where you'd normally just get sugar and starch, you protect lean mass without having to force yourself through another chicken breast. The egg-and-dairy base here provides leucine, the amino acid most directly responsible for triggering muscle protein synthesis.

The custard format is inherently gentle on digestion. Eggs and dairy are soft, pre-blended, and don't require heavy chewing or lengthy gastric processing — important when GLP-1 medications are slowing gastric emptying. The fiber here is modest at 2 grams, which is actually a plus for a dessert: enough to contribute without adding the kind of bulk that causes bloating when your stomach is already working slowly.

For Zepbound users managing blood sugar alongside weight, the glycemic profile here is favorable. The protein-to-carb ratio is just above 1:1, and the fat and fiber slow glucose absorption further. Maple syrup provides the sweetness, but at two tablespoons split across four servings, each portion contains only about 6.5 grams of added sugar — less than a single piece of most fruit-flavored candy.

Ingredients (serves 4)

For the custard:

  • 4 large eggs
  • 5 large egg whites (about 5 oz / 150ml)
  • 3/4 cup (175g) nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup (115g) low-fat cottage cheese
  • 1 scoop (30g) vanilla protein powder (whey or blend)
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of fine sea salt
  • 2 medium ripe peaches (about 10 oz / 300g), diced into 1/2-inch pieces — or 1 1/2 cups frozen peach slices, thawed and diced

For the oat crumble topping:

  • 1/3 cup (27g) old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 2 tablespoons (14g) almond flour
  • 1 tablespoon (12g) light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon (14g) coconut oil, melted
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Make the crumble topping:

  1. In a small bowl, stir together the rolled oats, almond flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Drizzle the melted coconut oil over the mixture and toss with a fork until everything is evenly coated and clumpy. Set aside — the crumble will crisp during air frying.

Prepare the custard base:

  1. Put the cottage cheese into a blender or use an immersion blender in a tall cup. Blend until completely smooth, about 30 seconds — no visible curds should remain. This step is what gives the custard a silky texture rather than a grainy one.

  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the whole eggs and egg whites until uniformly combined. Add the Greek yogurt, blended cottage cheese, protein powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk until the batter is smooth and no pockets of protein powder remain.

  3. Fold in the diced peaches gently with a spatula. You want them distributed evenly but not crushed — the pieces will soften during cooking and release their juices into the custard.

Fill and air fry:

  1. Lightly spray 8 standard silicone muffin cups with cooking spray. Divide the custard mixture evenly among the cups, filling each about three-quarters full. The batter will puff slightly during cooking, so leave a little headroom.

  2. Spoon the oat crumble topping evenly over each cup, pressing it down lightly so it adheres to the surface of the custard.

  3. Place 4 cups in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for air circulation. Air fry at 325°F (160°C) for 18 to 20 minutes, until the custard is set around the edges and only slightly jiggly in the center. The crumble should be golden brown.

  4. Carefully remove the first batch and let them cool for 5 minutes — the custard will continue to set as it rests. Repeat with the remaining 4 cups.

  5. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled from the fridge. Each serving is 2 cups.

Nutrition per Serving

Nutrient Amount (approx.)
Calories ~310 kcal
Protein ~26g
Fat ~11g
Carbohydrates ~25g
Fiber ~2g

Estimates based on large eggs, Fage 0% Greek yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese, Optimum Nutrition vanilla whey, and ripe medium peaches. Actual values vary with brand and fruit ripeness.

Practical Notes

Storage and reheating. These cups keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Eat them cold straight from the fridge — the texture firms up into something almost cheesecake-like — or reheat in the air fryer at 275°F for 3 to 4 minutes to restore the warm custard softness. The crumble stays surprisingly crunchy even after a couple of days in the fridge.

Frozen peach substitution. Frozen peach slices work well here and are often more consistent in sweetness than out-of-season fresh peaches. Thaw them first and pat dry with a paper towel before dicing — excess water will make the custard soggy on the bottom. No need to adjust cook time.

Protein powder matters. Use a protein powder that blends smoothly and doesn't clump when heated. Whey concentrate or whey blend works best for texture. Casein can make the custard too dense, and some plant-based powders add grittiness. If you skip the protein powder entirely, each serving drops to about 20 grams of protein — still reasonable, but below the 25-gram threshold that most dietitians recommend per meal for muscle maintenance.

For very small appetites. One cup instead of two is a perfectly reasonable serving at 155 calories and 13 grams of protein. On days when eating feels like a chore, a single warm custard cup with a glass of milk gets you to 20-plus grams without any heaviness. You can also eat these as a between-meal snack rather than a post-dinner dessert.

Peach alternatives. Nectarines, plums, or pitted sweet cherries all work with the same cook time and quantities. Apples need to be diced smaller (1/4-inch pieces) so they soften fully during the short air fry time. Berries tend to release too much liquid — if using blueberries, fold them in frozen and reduce the maple syrup by half, since they bring their own sweetness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I eat this dessert during the first weeks on GLP-1 medication when nausea is common?
Custard is one of the best-tolerated textures during early GLP-1 adjustment because it requires almost no gastric effort to process. Start with a single cup rather than two, eat it slowly over 10 to 15 minutes, and choose a time of day when your nausea is typically lowest — for most people that's midmorning or early afternoon rather than evening. If even that feels like too much, let the cup come to room temperature rather than eating it warm, since cold or cool foods tend to trigger less nausea than hot ones. The protein density means even half a cup contributes meaningfully to your daily intake.
What can I use instead of cottage cheese if I don't like the taste?
Ricotta cheese (part-skim) is the closest swap — use the same quantity and skip the blending step since ricotta is already smooth. The protein content is slightly lower (about 1 gram less per serving) but the texture will actually be even silkier. Plain nonfat Greek yogurt also works if you increase the total to 1 1/4 cups and omit the separate cottage cheese, though the custard will be slightly tangier. Avoid cream cheese as a substitute — it's significantly higher in fat and lower in protein, which defeats the purpose.
How do I store and freeze these custard cups?
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. For freezing, let the cups cool completely, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. They keep for up to 6 weeks. To serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and eat cold, or reheat from frozen in the air fryer at 275°F for 8 to 10 minutes. The crumble topping will lose some crunch after freezing — if that bothers you, make a small batch of fresh crumble and scatter it on top before reheating.
I'm eating very small portions on Ozempic — can I make these even more protein-dense?
Yes. Add an extra scoop of protein powder to the custard base, which bumps each two-cup serving to about 32 grams of protein and 340 calories. The texture becomes slightly denser and more cake-like rather than custardy, which some people actually prefer. You can also stir 2 tablespoons of collagen peptides into the batter — they dissolve completely and add about 5 grams of protein per serving without changing the flavor or texture at all. If you're eating only one cup at a time, consider these boosts so that even a single cup delivers 16 or more grams.
My air fryer runs hot — how do I prevent the custard from overcooking?
Lower the temperature to 300°F (150°C) and extend the cook time to 22 to 24 minutes. The goal is a custard that's set at the edges but still has a gentle wobble in the center — it will firm up as it cools. If the crumble is browning too fast, lay a small piece of foil loosely over the tops during the last 5 minutes. Every air fryer model circulates heat differently, so check at the 15-minute mark on your first batch and adjust from there. Silicone cups insulate slightly more than metal, which actually helps prevent the bottoms from overcooking.

This article provides general food and nutrition guidance only. It does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding your GLP-1 medication and individual nutritional needs.