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Baked Protein Bagels with Cottage Cheese and Toppings Recipe


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4.4 from 25 reviews

  • Author: Ezabella
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 bagels (4 servings)
  • Diet: Low Fat

Description

These Baked Protein Bagels with Cottage Cheese are a fluffy, high-protein twist on classic bagels. Made with simple ingredients like unbleached flour and 2% cottage cheese, they offer about 12 grams of protein per serving. Lightly seasoned with optional toppings like everything bagel seasoning or asiago cheese, they bake golden and delicious, perfect for a nutritious breakfast or snack in just 35 minutes.


Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup (120g) unbleached all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

Wet Ingredients

  • 1.25 cups 2% cottage cheese (I love Good Culture brand)
  • 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Optional Toppings

  • Everything bagel seasoning
  • Poppy seeds
  • Dried garlic flakes
  • Dried onion flakes
  • Sesame seeds
  • Shredded asiago cheese


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
  2. Mix dry ingredients and cottage cheese: In a large bowl, whisk together the unbleached all-purpose flour and baking powder. Add the cottage cheese and mix with a fork or spatula until the mixture resembles small crumbles.
  3. Form the dough ball: Using your hands or a rubber spatula in the bowl, continue mixing until the dough comes together into a smooth, slightly sticky ball that pulls away from the sides. The texture should be similar to fresh pizza dough.
  4. Knead the dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead a few times until no longer sticky, adding a bit more flour if necessary to make it workable.
  5. Divide and shape bagels: Use a bench scraper or sharp knife to divide the dough evenly into four portions. Shape each piece into a ball, then gently press your thumb through the center to form a classic bagel shape. Place them on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
  6. Apply egg wash and toppings: Pour your chosen seasoning into a shallow wide bowl. Brush the top and bottom of each bagel with the beaten egg, then dip both sides into the seasoning mixture. Return the bagels to the baking sheet.
  7. Bake the bagels: Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the bagels are fluffy, puffed up, and golden brown on top.
  8. Cool and serve: Allow the bagels to cool on the baking sheet for about 15 minutes before slicing. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Use 2% cottage cheese for the best balance of creaminess and moisture; whole milk works too but may make dough wetter.
  • If dough is too sticky, add flour sparingly during kneading to prevent dryness.
  • Feel free to customize toppings to your preference for variety in flavor and texture.
  • Allow bagels to cool fully to avoid squished texture when slicing.
  • These bagels freeze well; store in an airtight container after fully cooled.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Category: Baking
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American