Short description
These cottage cheese bagels are a deliciously protein-packed twist on the classic bagel, made with cottage cheese for added richness and moisture. Easy to prepare and bake, they’re perfect for a savory breakfast or snack.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Protein-packed: The cottage cheese provides a boost of protein, making these bagels more filling and satisfying.
- Quick and simple: No complex ingredients or rising time needed—just mix, shape, and bake.
- Soft and chewy: The cottage cheese keeps these bagels soft on the inside, with a golden, crispy outside.
- Customizable: Top them with your favorite seasonings or spreads, such as cream cheese, smoked salmon, or avocado.
- Healthy and hearty: With fewer carbs and extra protein, they make for a great start to your day or a savory snack.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 1/4 cups full-fat cottage cheese
- Egg wash (1 egg whisked with a splash of water)
- Everything But The Bagel Seasoning (or toppings of your choice)
Directions
- Preheat oven and prep baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Blend cottage cheese: In a blender or food processor, blend the cottage cheese on high until smooth and creamy.
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine the whipped cottage cheese, flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until a dough forms. It will be a little sticky, so don’t worry if it feels a bit tacky.
- Shape the bagels: Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Wet your hands to help shape them into bagel rings. The dough will be sticky, so wetting your hands will help with the shaping.
- Apply egg wash: Brush the tops of the bagels with the whisked egg wash for a glossy, golden finish.
- Top with seasoning: Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning (or your preferred toppings) generously on top.
- Bake: Place the bagels in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown and firm to the touch.
- Cool and serve: Let the bagels cool slightly before slicing, toasting, and adding your favorite toppings.
Servings and timing
- Serves 4 (1 bagel per serving)
- Prep time: ~10 minutes
- Bake time: 25–30 minutes
Variations
- Cheese lovers: Add shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or Parmesan) to the dough for a cheesy twist.
- Herbed bagels: Add dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or garlic powder to the dough for extra flavor.
- Sweet bagels: Add a spoonful of honey or cinnamon to the dough for a sweeter version, and top with a cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Mini bagels: Shape the dough into smaller portions to make mini bagels, perfect for bite-sized snacks.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store any leftover bagels in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature, or in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: These bagels freeze well! Store them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat bagels in a toaster or oven until warm and crispy again. You can also wrap them in foil and heat them in the oven.
FAQs
1. Can I use low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese?
Yes, but using full-fat cottage cheese provides a richer, fluffier texture. Low-fat options will work but might not be as soft.
2. Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for a heartier, slightly denser bagel. You may need to adjust the liquid slightly depending on the flour.
3. Do I need to let the dough rise?
No, these bagels are a quick recipe and don’t require any rising time. Simply mix, shape, and bake!
4. Can I make these bagels without the egg wash?
Yes, the egg wash gives the bagels a shiny, golden finish, but you can skip it if you prefer. The bagels will still bake up delicious!
5. Can I add other toppings to the bagels?
Absolutely! Feel free to add toppings like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or even dried onion flakes for variation.
6. Are these bagels gluten-free?
No, this recipe uses all-purpose flour. To make it gluten-free, try substituting with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. You may need to adjust the amount of baking powder or flour to achieve the right dough consistency.
7. How do I prevent the bagels from getting too hard?
Make sure to bake them for the right amount of time—until golden and firm to the touch, but not too long, as they can become tough. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes of baking.
8. Can I make these bagels larger?
Yes! You can make larger bagels by dividing the dough into fewer portions. Just be sure to adjust the baking time accordingly if the bagels are bigger.
9. Can I skip the cottage cheese?
Cottage cheese is the key ingredient in this recipe. If you skip it, the texture and flavor of the bagels will change.
10. Can I make these bagels ahead of time?
Yes! These bagels are great for meal prep. You can make them ahead and store them in the fridge or freeze them for later.
Conclusion
These cottage cheese bagels are an easy, healthy, and protein-packed alternative to traditional bagels. With just a few ingredients, you can create soft, chewy bagels that are perfect for breakfast or a snack. Whether you enjoy them plain, with cream cheese, or topped with your favorite spread, these bagels are sure to become a go-to recipe!
Print
Cottage Cheese Bagels (Easy Protein Recipe)
- Total Time: 35–40 minutes
- Yield: 4 bagels
Description
These cottage cheese bagels are a deliciously protein-packed twist on the classic bagel, made with cottage cheese for added richness and moisture. Easy to prepare and bake, they’re perfect for a savory breakfast or snack.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 1/4 cups full-fat cottage cheese
Egg wash (1 egg whisked with a splash of water)
Everything But The Bagel Seasoning (or toppings of your choice)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prep baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Blend cottage cheese: In a blender or food processor, blend the cottage cheese on high until smooth and creamy.
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine the whipped cottage cheese, flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until a dough forms. It will be a little sticky, so don’t worry if it feels a bit tacky.
- Shape the bagels: Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Wet your hands to help shape them into bagel rings. The dough will be sticky, so wetting your hands will help with the shaping.
- Apply egg wash: Brush the tops of the bagels with the whisked egg wash for a glossy, golden finish.
- Top with seasoning: Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning (or your preferred toppings) generously on top.
- Bake: Place the bagels in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown and firm to the touch.
- Cool and serve: Let the bagels cool slightly before slicing, toasting, and adding your favorite toppings.
Notes
Cheese lovers: Add shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or Parmesan) to the dough for a cheesy twist.
Herbed bagels: Add dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or garlic powder to the dough for extra flavor.
Sweet bagels: Add a spoonful of honey or cinnamon to the dough for a sweeter version, and top with a cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Mini bagels: Shape the dough into smaller portions to make mini bagels, perfect for bite-sized snacks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bagel
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
