Panera Poppyseed Dressing with Cottage Cheese Homemade

This homemade Panera Poppyseed Dressing is a creamy, flavorful dressing made with whipped cottage cheese, avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic, onion powder, honey, and fresh orange juice. It’s light, naturally sweetened, and easily adjustable to suit your taste—perfect for drizzling over salads or using as a dip.

Spoonful of Panera poppyseed dressing in a jar.

This homemade Panera Poppyseed Dressing is a creamy, light, and flavorful addition to any meal, made even better with a personal touch in the kitchen. Whipped cottage cheese creates a smooth, luscious texture, while avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and onion powder provide a rich balance of flavor. Naturally sweetened with honey and fresh orange juice, it’s a refreshing take on the classic, but without the heaviness of egg yolks.

This recipe is a favorite in my kitchen, and it’s one that’s been perfected with time-saving techniques and simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. As a home cook who loves sharing the best version of every recipe, this poppyseed dressing is a great example of how easy it can be to make your own at home, without sacrificing taste. Whether you’re tossing it with greens or using it as a dip, you can adjust the flavors to suit your personal preferences.

Making your own dressing is not just about convenience—it’s about knowing exactly what’s going into your food and how it complements your favorite dishes. With this dressing, you’ll have a creamy, versatile recipe that works beautifully with all kinds of salads, and it’s a recipe you’ll keep coming back to.

YouTube video

Why You’ll Love This Easy Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe

  • Creamy and light: Made with whipped cottage cheese for a smooth, lighter texture without egg yolks.
  • Naturally sweetened: Honey and fresh orange juice add the perfect amount of sweetness.
  • Simple ingredients: Made with pantry staples like avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, and poppyseeds.
  • Versatile and easy: Great for salads or as a flavorful addition to your favorite dishes.
Spoonful of Panera poppyseed dressing in a jar.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here is everything you need to make my easy Panera poppyseed dressing:

Whipped Cottage Cheese: This adds a subtle cheesy flavor and protein. You can replace it with Greek yogurt or ricotta cheese for a similar creamy texture.

Avocado Oil: You can also use light olive oil for a different healthy fat option.

Honey: Maple syrup, agave nectar, date syrup, coconut sugar, cane sugar, or granulated sugar can also be used.

Apple Cider Vinegar: For a different acidic component, you can substitute it with white wine vinegar, white vinegar, rice vinegar, red wine vinegar, or lemon juice.

Orange Juice: You can omit this or replace it with pineapple juice for a different citrus flavor. You can also add half as much fresh lemon juice or lemon juice concentrate for a more tangy flavor.

Garlic Powder: You can also use finely minced fresh garlic or dry mustard powder for a different flavor.

Onion Powder: You can omit this or use fresh minced onion (1 tablespoon) or shallot for a stronger onion flavor.

Poppyseeds: Chia seeds or sesame seeds can be used instead for a different seed texture.

Panera Bread strawberry poppyseed salad on a plate.

How to Make My Delicious Cottage Cheese Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe

Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions for making the perfect creamy poppy seed dressing. The instructions are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.

Step 1: Prepare the Dressing

In a blender or food processor, combine cottage cheese, avocado oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and poppy seeds.

Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste if needed.

Adding cottage cheese to chopper cup.
Adding poppyseed dressing ingredients to chopper cup.
Panera Bread strawberry poppyseed salad on a plate.

Expert Recipe Tips

Dressing Adjustments: If the dressing is too thick, thin it out with a bit more orange juice or water. For a sweeter dressing, add a bit more honey or maple syrup.

Delicious Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing Suggestions

  • Drizzle over a fruit salad for a refreshing, sweet salad.
  • Enhance a strawberry spinach salad with this amazing dressing.
  • Top a spinach strawberry salad with goat cheese and sunflower seeds for added texture and flavor.
  • Use as a poppy seed vinaigrette for vegetable salads.
  • Blend with onion puree for a richer flavor.
  • Combine with blue cheese dressing for a unique twist.
  • Add a touch of red onion and mustard seed for extra zing.
  • Perfect as a simple vinaigrette for roasted vegetables.
  • Use as a delicious addition to quinoa bowls.
  • Serve as a dip for vegetables or crackers at your next dinner party.
  • Spread in veggie wraps for a fresh and flavorful option.
  • Add a splash of onion juice to enhance depth of flavor.

Store the poppyseed dressing in an airtight container or mason jar in the fridge. Shake or stir well before using, as separation may occur.

How can I make the creamy poppyseed dressing vegan?
Substitute cottage cheese with a plant-based yogurt and honey with maple syrup or agave nectar to make the dressing vegan.

Can I prepare the copycat Panera strawberry poppyseed salad recipe in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the ingredients in advance. Store the salad components and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Assemble the salad just before serving to maintain freshness.

How long does poppy seed salad dressing last in the refrigerator?
The poppyseed dressing can be stored in a sealed jar or container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Shake or stir well before using.

How can I make the Panera’s poppyseed dressing thinner?
If the dressing is too thick, you can thin it out by adding a bit more orange juice or water until the desired consistency is reached.

Can I freeze this dressing?
It is not recommended to freeze this dressing as the texture may change upon thawing. It is best enjoyed fresh or stored in the refrigerator for short-term use.

How can I make the Panera salad dressing sweeter or less sweet?
To adjust the sweetness, you can add more honey to make it sweeter or reduce the amount of honey to make it less sweet. Taste as you go to achieve your preferred level of sweetness.

What is the best way to blend this dressing if I don’t have a blender or food processor?
You can use an immersion blender if you don’t have a blender or food processor. 

Can I add other ingredients to customize this easy dressing recipe?
Yes, you can customize this dressing by adding ingredients like Dijon mustard for a tangier flavor, or fresh herbs like basil or dill for added freshness. Adjust the seasoning to taste as you add new ingredients.

Spoonful of Panera poppyseed dressing in a jar.

Panera Poppyseed Dressing with Cottage Cheese Homemade

Gluten-Free diet-friendly recipe
This homemade Panera Poppyseed Dressing is a creamy, flavorful dressing made with whipped cottage cheese, avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic, onion powder, honey, and fresh orange juice. It's light, naturally sweetened, and easily adjustable to suit your taste—perfect for drizzling over salads or using as a dip.
5 from 2 votes
Servings 6
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/3 cup cottage cheese
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon poppyseeds

Instructions
 

  • In a blender or food processor, combine cottage cheese, avocado oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and poppy seeds.
    Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste if needed.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

Dressing Adjustments: If the dressing is too thick, thin it out with a bit more orange juice or water. For a sweeter dressing, add a bit more honey or maple syrup.

Nutrition

Calories: 114kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 153mgPotassium: 38mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 30IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 0.1mg
Keyword copycat recipe, cottage cheese, Panera Bread, poppyseeds
Did you make this recipe and love it?Please let me know in the comments below how it turned out 🙂

3 Comments

  1. I’m so excited to share this easy salad dressing with you! It’s creamy, delicious and made healthier with cottage cheese 🙂

5 from 2 votes

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