Description
These Cottage Cheese Protein Bagels are a quick, high-protein, and delicious alternative to classic bagels. Made with just a handful of ingredients—self-rising flour, full-fat cottage cheese, and an egg wash—these bagels are easy to make and perfect for meal prep. With customizable toppings and options for baking or air frying, they deliver a soft, chewy texture and a boost of protein in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Bagel Dough
- 1 cup self-rising flour (see notes for gluten-free and substitution options)
- 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg, beaten
Toppings (Optional)
- Sesame seeds
- Everything bagel seasoning
- Shredded asiago cheese
- Poppy seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven or Air Fryer: For baking, preheat your oven to 375°F and position the rack to the top position. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. For air frying, preheat your air fryer to 350°F for 5 minutes and spray the basket with nonstick spray.
- Blend the Cottage Cheese: Put the cottage cheese into a food processor or blender and blend on high until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. This step is key for a uniform dough and even texture.
- Combine with Flour: Transfer the blended cottage cheese to a medium bowl, then add the self-rising flour. Mix thoroughly until a shaggy dough forms and the mixture starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- Knead the Dough: Generously flour your work surface, then turn out the dough. Knead 8–10 times, adding more flour to the work surface as needed, until the dough is smooth and no longer sticky.
- Shape the Bagels: Roll the dough into a ball and divide it into 4 equal portions (about 80g each for accuracy). Roll each portion into a 6–7-inch rope, about 1 inch thick. Join the ends and pinch to seal, forming bagel shapes.
- Apply Egg Wash & Toppings: Place shaped bagels on the prepared baking sheet or air fryer basket. Brush the tops with beaten egg and sprinkle with your choice of toppings.
- Bake or Air Fry: For oven: Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, until bagels are puffed and golden brown. For air fryer: Air fry for 12–14 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Allow bagels to cool at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Self-Rising Flour Substitute: If you don’t have self-rising flour, mix 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute with a quality gluten-free flour blend containing xanthan gum (like King Arthur’s) and add 1 teaspoon baking powder with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Cottage Cheese Type: Full-fat cottage cheese yields best results; the dough’s texture may vary depending on brand and fat content.
- Measurement Tips: Spoon and level your flour for accuracy, or weigh for best results. Add extra flour a tablespoon at a time if the dough is sticky.
- Greek Yogurt Swap: Plain Greek yogurt can be substituted for cottage cheese with good results.
- Storage: Keep bagels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bagel
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 182mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0.01g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 50mg