The aroma of baked goods wafts through the kitchen, wrapping you in a warm embrace. Imagine pulling apart a soft, chewy bagel, its golden crust giving way to a slightly tangy, protein-packed center. Drizzle it with cream cheese or layer it with your favorite breakfast toppings, and you’ve got a simple yet delightful start to your day. These High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels are not just any bagels; they’re a nostalgic nod to mornings spent at the local deli, where a warm bagel was the ultimate breakfast treat. With just three ingredients, you’ll find that whipping up these bagels feels less like a chore and more like a cherished ritual.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels

Perfect for busy mornings, leisurely brunches, or snack attacks, these bagels invite creativity and customization. The best part? They require minimal effort, giving you all the satisfaction without the fuss. So grab your measuring cups and let’s get ready to enjoy the deliciousness that is just a few simple steps away!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Whip up a batch in just 20 minutes from start to finish.
Irresistible Flavor: Soft, chewy, and packed with deliciousness—lightly toasted with a touch of butter, they’re divine.
Eye-Catching Appeal: These golden bagels look impressive and are certain to catch the eye on any breakfast table.
Flexible Serving: Whether you’re in the mood for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a late-night treat, these bagels fit the bill.
Diet-Friendly Options: High in protein and easy to customize for dietary preferences, such as using gluten-free flour.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 cup self-rising flour: This makes the bagels puff up beautifully without the need for yeast. If you’re out, you can make a quick substitute using all-purpose flour and adding baking powder and salt.
1 cup cottage cheese (full-fat): Offers creaminess and a protein boost. If you prefer a lower-fat option, low-fat cottage cheese can work too, though it might slightly alter the texture.
1 small egg (for egg wash): Provides a golden, shiny finish. If you’re vegan or avoiding eggs, a sprinkle of water or non-dairy milk can do the trick to help the seasoning stick.
Everything bagel seasoning: This flavorful mix adds that classic bagel taste. Make your own with a combination of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic, onion, and salt, or pick up a pre-made blend for convenience.

How to Make High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375℉ if you’re baking these delightful bagels. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. For air frying, set your air fryer to 350℉ for five minutes and lightly spray the basket with nonstick spray.

Blend the Cottage Cheese: In a food processor or blender, blend the cottage cheese until it’s completely smooth—a texture that’s reminiscent of thick cream. If you find lumps, you can stop and scrape down the sides to ensure everything mixes nicely. This will help your bagels to have a perfect, creamy consistency.

Combine Ingredients: Transfer the blended cottage cheese into a medium bowl. Add the self-rising flour and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a dough forms. It should pull away from the sides of the bowl—if it’s too sticky, just sprinkle in a bit more flour, watching out for overmixing, which can toughen the dough.

Knead for Smoothness: Lightly flour a clean work surface and turn out the dough. Knead it gently 8–10 times until it becomes smooth and elastic. This gives the bagels that perfect chew. If it feels too sticky, sprinkle a little more flour on your hands and the surface as needed.

Shape the Bagels: Roll the kneaded dough into a ball, then divide it into four equal pieces. Shape each piece into a rope around 6–7 inches long and about 1 inch thick. Bring the ends together to form a circle and pinch to seal. This simple shaping technique ensures each bagel holds its shape while baking or air frying.

Brush and Sprinkle: Combine the beaten egg in a small bowl and brush the tops of your bagels lightly. Don’t skimp—it helps those beautiful toppings adhere and creates a lovely golden finish. Then sprinkle generously with Everything bagel seasoning for that signature flavor.

Air Fry Until Golden: Carefully place your bagels in the preheated air fryer, making sure they aren’t touching. Air fry for 12–14 minutes, keeping an eye on them until they’re golden brown and cooked through. The aroma will make your mouth water—this is the part where patience becomes difficult!

Bake to Perfection: If you prefer the oven, arrange your bagels on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 25–30 minutes until they are puffed and beautifully golden. A toothpick inserted should come out clean, leaving you with that warm, inviting smell wafting through your home.

Cool Before Serving: Allow your high-protein cottage cheese bagels to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This waiting period helps to set the interior and reduces the chance of squishing the bagels upon cutting. They’ll taste even better once they’ve had a moment to rest!

Storing & Reheating

Store your delicious bagels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you need to keep them longer, transfer them to the fridge, where they’ll stay fresh for about a week. For extended storage, you can freeze the bagels. Wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer. Reheat your bagels in the oven or toaster at 350℉ until warmed through, about 5 minutes if freshly frozen. Just remember that freezing may alter the texture slightly, so to refresh, add a little butter or cream cheese to make them feel like fresh from the oven.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid Overmixing: When combining the flour and cottage cheese, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to dense bagels, which is not what we want!
Check Consistency: If your bagel dough feels too sticky, don’t hesitate to add more flour while kneading. Aim for a smooth, slightly tacky dough that holds its shape well.
Temperature Matters: If you’re working with egg wash, using a room-temperature egg helps it spread evenly on the bagels without clumping.
Customize Toppings: Feel free to switch up the seasoning on top. Try sesame seeds, grated cheese, or spices based on your preferences.
Make-Ahead Magic: You can prepare the dough in advance and store it in the fridge for a day. Just let it come to room temperature before shaping.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use regular flour instead of self-rising flour?

Absolutely! If you want to use all-purpose flour, just add 1.5 teaspoons of baking powder and 0.5 teaspoons of salt to your measuring cup before mixing with the cottage cheese. This will mimic the leavening action of self-rising flour.

What variations can I make with the seasoning?

You can customize your bagels by using different toppings. Instead of Everything seasoning, try toppings like poppy seeds, coarse sea salt, or even a sprinkle of garlic powder. You could also mix in some herbs directly into the dough for added flavor.

How can I make these bagels vegan?

To make vegan high-protein bagels, simply replace the regular cottage cheese with a plant-based alternative and use a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water, let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken) for the wash. They’ll still taste fantastic!

Can I add extras like cheese or herbs?

Yes! Feel free to fold in shredded cheese, chopped herbs, or spices into the dough before shaping the bagels. Just keep an eye on the moisture content; too much can make the dough too sticky to handle. Enjoy experimenting!

The recipe for High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels not only meets your culinary needs but also brings a touch of nostalgia and joy to your kitchen. Grab your favorite spreads and toppings, and indulge in your creations—you’ll be glad you did.

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High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels

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Author: Nadia
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 bagels 1x
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking, Air Frying
Cuisine: American

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Description

These High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels are soft, chewy, and easy to make, with a golden crust and tangy center. Enjoy them for breakfast or as a snack!

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup self-rising flour
1 cup cottage cheese (full-fat)
1 small egg (for egg wash)
Everything bagel seasoning

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375℉ or air fryer to 350℉.
Blend cottage cheese until smooth.
Combine cottage cheese and flour to form dough.
Knead the dough gently until smooth and elastic.
Shape the dough into bagels and seal.
Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with seasoning.
Air fry for 12–14 minutes or bake for 25–30 minutes until golden.
Cool for 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Store bagels in an airtight container for up to two days.
For longer storage, freeze bagels wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.
Reheat in the oven or toaster at 350℉.