The aroma of fresh bagels wafting through your kitchen can brighten any morning. Imagine pulling apart one of these High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels, the soft, chewy texture inviting a tasty spread of cream cheese or your favorite avocado. The golden crust and sprinkle of Everything bagel seasoning make them visually appealing and utterly irresistible. These delightful bagels are not just for the weekend; their quick prep time suits busy weekdays too.

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

Perhaps it’s the memory of Saturday mornings spent in my grandmother’s kitchen, where the scent of freshly baked goods would swirl together with laughter. As we crafted breakfast together, those golden brown, chewy delights filled our plates and our hearts. With only three simple ingredients, these High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels can bring a little nostalgia and joy back into your home. So let’s roll up our sleeves and get started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Only 10 minutes of prep and 10 minutes in the oven or air fryer means you’ll have fresh bagels in no time.
Irresistible Flavor: The blend of soft cottage cheese and self-rising flour creates a delightfully chewy texture that pairs perfectly with toppings.
Eye-Catching Appeal: Their golden-brown finish and sprinkle of Everything bagel seasoning make them a showstopper at any brunch.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for breakfast sandwiches, snacks, or meal prep sneaks, these bagels fit any occasion.
Diet-Friendly Options: With minor tweaks, they can be gluten-free or low-carb, making them versatile for various diets.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 cup self-rising flour: This is key for high, fluffy bagels. If you don’t have it on hand, you can make your own by mixing all-purpose flour with baking powder and salt.
1 cup full-fat cottage cheese: The creaminess contributes to the moist texture and adds protein. You can substitute with low-fat cottage cheese if desired, though it may affect the flavor slightly.
1 small egg (beaten, for egg wash): This helps achieve a beautiful golden color on top. You can omit it for a vegan version, although the aesthetic might change a bit.
Everything bagel seasoning: An essential finishing touch for flavor. Feel free to use a homemade blend if you prefer, mixing poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic powder, and onion powder.

How to Make High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels

Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 375℉. If you’re using an air fryer, set it to 350℉ for the final cooking stage. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for the oven method to prevent sticking.

Blend Cottage Cheese: In a food processor or blender, combine the cottage cheese. Blend until smooth, ensuring no lumps remain—this step is crucial for the creamy texture we’re aiming for.

Mix Dough: Transfer the smooth cottage cheese into a medium bowl. Gradually stir in the self-rising flour until a cohesive dough forms. It should pull away from the sides smoothly; if it’s too sticky, sprinkle in a bit more flour.

Knead: On a lightly floured surface, place your dough and knead it 8–10 times until it’s smooth and elastic. Don’t over-knead, as this can make your bagels tough—just enough to bring everything together is perfect!

Shape Bagels: Roll the dough into a ball, then divide it into four equal pieces. Form each piece into a rope about 6–7 inches long and 1 inch thick. Bring the ends together to create a circle, pinching the seams to seal them tightly.

Brush and Season: Take your beaten egg and gently brush the tops of the bagels with it. This will give them a lovely golden shine. Then sprinkle generously with Everything bagel seasoning, adding to both flavor and texture.

Air Fryer Instructions: If using an air fryer, spray the basket with nonstick spray and place the bagels inside. Air fry for 12–14 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through. You’ll know they’re ready when they have a fragrant aroma and look puffed up.

Bake Until Golden: For baking, arrange the bagels on your prepared sheet, and pop them in the oven for 25–30 minutes. They should become puffed, golden, and irresistible—your kitchen will smell heavenly!

Cool and Enjoy: Let the bagels cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This cooling period allows the insides to set perfectly, ensuring that each bagel holds its shape when sliced.

Storing & Reheating

Store your High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. If you have leftovers, you can refrigerate them for up to a week; wrap them in foil or place in a zip-top bag to maintain freshness. For longer storage, freeze the bagels, well-wrapped, for up to 3 months. For reheating, pop them in the toaster for a few minutes or warm them in an air fryer at 350℉ for about 5 minutes. Keep in mind that freezing may change their texture slightly, but toasting them will refresh their delightful chewiness.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid over-kneading the dough. Just a few folds are enough to ensure a tender bagel.
Let your ingredients, especially the egg, come to room temperature for optimal incorporation.
For a fun flavor boost, try adding shredded cheese or herbs directly into the dough.
If you prefer a firmer bagel, you can allow the shapes to rest for 10 minutes before baking.
Using fresh cottage cheese yields the best flavor. Avoid older, staler options.
Feel free to experiment with various toppings aside from Everything seasoning—cheddar, garlic powder, or even a hint of cinnamon can create lovely variations!

Whether you’re enjoying a warm, chewy bite with a spread or toasting one topped with eggs, these High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels are sure to impress. Their protein-packed goodness doesn’t just make for a nutritious start to the day, but they also bring joy with every bite. Don’t hesitate to get creative with flavors or toppings; there’s truly no wrong way to enjoy them.

Become a bagel aficionado and grace your table with these delightful creations. Grab those three simple ingredients and let the kitchen magic begin!

Recipe FAQs

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

Yes, you can use all-purpose flour, but you’ll need to add baking powder and salt to mimic self-rising flour. For every cup of all-purpose flour, include 1.5 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

How can I make these bagels gluten-free?

To create gluten-free bagels, substitute self-rising flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum. This will help mimic the structure of traditional bagels.

What if I don’t have a food processor?

If you don’t have a food processor, you can mash the cottage cheese very well with a fork. However, make sure it’s as smooth as possible to achieve the best texture in your bagels.

Can I make these bagels ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare and shape the bagels ahead of time, refrigerate them, and then bake or air fry them fresh later on. Just be sure to allow for extra time in the oven if they are cold.

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High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels

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Author: Lina
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

Savor the delightful flavors of High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels, crafted with just three ingredients for a quick and satisfying meal. These bagels are not only soft and chewy but can easily fit into your busy schedule, making them a fantastic option for breakfast or a tasty snack.

Ingredients

Scale

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

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 375℉ or air fryer to 350℉.
Blend cottage cheese until smooth.
Mix in flour until a dough forms.
Knead dough gently on a floured surface.
Shape into bagels and brush with egg wash.
Sprinkle with Everything bagel seasoning.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or air fry for 12-14 minutes until golden.
Cool for 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Store bagels at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
For freezing, wrap well and store for up to 3 months.
For reheating, toast or air fry for a few minutes to refresh texture.