Name: High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup self-rising flour; 1 cup cottage cheese (full-fat); 1 small egg (beaten); Everything bagel seasoning

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Soft, chewy, and delightfully inviting, High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels are a game changer for your breakfast routine. Imagine pulling these little wonders from your oven or air fryer, their golden tops glistening and the warm aroma filling your kitchen. The first bite gives way to a beautiful chewy texture, making it hard to believe that just three ingredients brought such joy. These aren’t just any bagels; they’re a nourishing delight, perfect for morning fuel or a tasty grab-and-go snack.

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

I still remember the first time I tried making homemade bagels. The dough stuck to my hands, and flour flew everywhere, resulting in a comedy of errors. Yet, the satisfaction of biting into that warm, chewy bread made it all worth it. Now, with these High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels, I’m thrilled to share a simpler way to recreate that nostalgic experience without the fuss. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get started on this kitchen adventure!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Just 10 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking time mean you can whip these up in under half an hour!
Irresistible Flavor: Each bagel has a wonderfully soft interior, thanks to the cottage cheese, with a lovely golden crust that’s simply delicious.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The sprinkle of Everything bagel seasoning adds an impressive finish that looks as delightful as it tastes.
Flexible Serving: Enjoy them as breakfast sandwiches, snacks throughout the day, or party appetizers—the options are endless.
Diet-Friendly Options: With just a few adjustments, you can make these bagels gluten-free or dairy-free.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 cup self-rising flour: This flour is essential for creating that perfect rise without needing yeast. If you’re out, you can make your own by combining all-purpose flour with baking powder and salt (1 cup flour, 1.5 tsp baking powder, and a pinch of salt).
1 cup cottage cheese (full-fat): The star ingredient! It provides moisture and that high protein content; lower-fat varieties work too, but full-fat gives the best texture.
1 small egg (beaten): Used for egg wash, giving your bagels a beautiful golden color. You can omit the egg for a vegan version—just brush with a little olive oil instead.
Everything bagel seasoning: This adds a burst of flavor and texture; if you don’t have it, feel free to use sesame seeds or poppy seeds instead.

How to Make High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels

Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F if you’re baking, or set your air fryer to 350°F. Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper while you work. This extra step ensures the dough doesn’t stick, and you’ll have a smooth transfer to the oven or air fryer.

Blend Cottage Cheese: Place the cottage cheese in a food processor or blender. Blend until completely smooth; you want to eliminate any lumps to achieve a uniform dough. This method not only ensures a creamy texture but also makes it easier to incorporate the flour.

Combine Ingredients: Pour the blended cottage cheese into a medium bowl and add in the self-rising flour. Stir gently until the mixture forms a cohesive dough which should pull away from the sides of the bowl. If it feels too wet, sprinkle in a bit more flour—this dough should be slightly tacky but manageable.

Knead and Shape: Lightly flour your work surface and transfer the dough onto it. Knead the dough about 8–10 times until it’s smooth, adding flour as needed if it feels sticky. Divide the dough into four equal pieces and then roll each piece into a 6–7 inch rope. Bring the ends together to create circles, pinching to seal the seams for the classic bagel shape.

Brush and Season: Take your beaten egg and lightly brush the tops of the bagels. This provides that beautiful shine when baked. Then sprinkle generously with Everything bagel seasoning; it’s the perfect topping that gives each bagel an inviting crunch and flavor boost.

Air Fryer Cooking: If using an air fryer, arrange the bagels in the basket, being careful not to overcrowd. Air fry for about 12–14 minutes until they are puffed and golden brown. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes for that perfect finish.

Baking in the Oven: Place the shaped bagels on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, watching for them to rise and turn golden brown. When they look irresistible, they’re ready to come out!

Cool Before Slicing: No matter your cooking method, be sure to let the bagels cool for at least 15 minutes. This step allows them to firm up a bit, making for easier slicing and ensuring all flavors are set.

Storing & Reheating

Once your High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels have cooled completely, store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to two days. For longer storage, pop them in the fridge for up to a week. If you need to keep them longer, freezing is a great option—place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, and you can enjoy them for up to three months. When ready to eat, simply reheat them in a toaster or air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes until warm and inviting. Keep in mind, freezing might change their texture slightly, but a quick reheating restores their deliciousness.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid over-kneading the dough; it can lead to tough bagels. Just knead until smooth—8–10 times is usually perfect.
Make sure your cottage cheese is well-blended—lumps can affect the dough’s texture.
For a touch of sweetness, consider adding some cinnamon or vanilla if you want to make them dessert-like.
Experiment with toppings; your favorite herbs or spices can create unique flavor profiles!
If you want to prep the dough ahead, cover it tightly and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 hours before shaping.

Your kitchen will be filled with the delightful aroma of freshly baked High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels, making them an ideal treat for any time of day. These chewy, satisfying bagels are a perfect way to kickstart your morning or enjoy as an afternoon snack. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different toppings or fillings, finding what feels right for you. The joy of creating something wholesome and delicious from simple ingredients is truly unmatched. Now, gather your ingredients, and let’s share the love of these bagels!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use other types of cheese?

Absolutely! While cottage cheese provides that punch of protein and moisture, feel free to experiment with ricotta or even Greek yogurt for different flavors and textures. Adjust the flour ratio slightly depending on how wet your alternative cheese is.

How do I get my bagels to rise more?

For extra puffiness, make sure your oven is properly preheated, and don’t skip out on the resting period before baking. When you let the bagels rest for a brief time, they have a chance to rise, resulting in a fluffier texture.

Can I make these bagels ahead of time?

Yes, you can! Prepare the dough and shape the bagels, then cover and refrigerate them for up to two hours before cooking. You can also freeze them for a fresh-baked taste later—just thaw in the fridge overnight before cooking.

What can I serve with these bagels?

So many options! Try them with cream cheese, avocado, smoked salmon, or even jam. You can also slice them and add fillings for breakfast sandwiches, making them a versatile addition to your meal prep.

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High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels

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Author: Jennifer
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 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 incredibly easy to make. Perfect for breakfast or a healthy snack, they offer a delightful flavor packed with protein.

Ingredients

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

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F or air fryer to 350°F.
Blend cottage cheese until smooth in a food processor.
Combine blended cottage cheese with self-rising flour in a bowl to form dough.
Knead dough on a floured surface for 8-10 times, then shape into bagels.
Brush tops with beaten egg and sprinkle with Everything bagel seasoning.
Air fry for 12-14 minutes or bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
Cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

For a vegan version, omit the egg and brush with olive oil instead.
To make gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour alternatives.
Store bagels in an airtight container for up to two days or freeze for three months.