If you’ve ever dreamed of making chewy, delightful bagels right at home without fuss or fancy ingredients, then you’re going to adore this Cottage Cheese Bagels Recipe. Using just cottage cheese and self-rising flour, these bagels come together quickly and offer a satisfyingly soft texture with a wonderful protein boost. This recipe is an absolute game-changer for breakfast lovers or anyone craving fresh bagels without a trip to the bakery.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple yet powerful, the ingredients for this Cottage Cheese Bagels Recipe form the backbone of its irresistible taste and texture. Each one plays an important role, ensuring your bagels turn out light, slightly tangy, and perfect every time.
- 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese (excess liquid drained): The magic ingredient that adds moisture, protein, and a subtle creaminess to your bagels.
- 1 cup self-rising flour (plus more as needed): Provides structure and the signature rise without extra leavening agents.
- 1 large egg (beaten): Used for an egg wash that gives your bagels a beautiful golden crust and helps toppings stick.
- Toppings (everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, or others): Sprinkles of these bring extra crunch, color, and flavor that personalize each bite.
- Nonstick cooking spray: Necessary for air frying so your bagels don’t stick and come out with that perfect crust.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Bagels Recipe
Step 1: Blend the Cottage Cheese
Begin by placing your cottage cheese in a blender and pulsating it until smooth. This step is crucial because it transforms the curds into a creamy base, ensuring your dough is moist without lumps. Pause to scrape down the sides so everything blends uniformly — about one minute will do the trick.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
Transfer the creamy cottage cheese to a large bowl, then add your self-rising flour. With a sturdy wooden spoon, gently combine the two ingredients until a rough dough forms. This is where the simple ingredients start to come together into something miraculous.
Step 3: Knead for Texture
Tip your dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for about five minutes. You want the dough to feel smooth but don’t worry if there are a few bumps — that adds personality. If it feels sticky, dust with a bit more flour as you go. Kneading activates the flour’s proteins, setting you up for that desirable bagel chew.
Step 4: Shape Into Bagels
Divide the dough ball into four equal portions. Roll each into a 6-7 inch rope about an inch thick, then join the ends tightly to create a classic bagel shape. The tight seal keeps them from opening while baking, giving you that neat, circular form you expect.
Step 5: Add the Finishing Touches
Brush the tops with the beaten egg, which helps develop a gorgeous golden-brown crust and locks in your seasoning. Sprinkle your toppings generously — whether it’s classic everything bagel seasoning or a simple sesame seed touch, it’s your bagel’s crowning glory.
Step 6: Cook to Perfection
For air fryer lovers, preheat to 350°F and spray the basket with nonstick spray. Air fry your bagels for 13-15 minutes or until puffed and beautifully golden. Alternatively, use your oven set at 350°F, baking on the top rack for 25-30 minutes. Once cooked, cool the bagels for 15 minutes to finish setting — your fresh-made cottage cheese bagels are ready!
How to Serve Cottage Cheese Bagels Recipe
Garnishes
Nothing beats serving these bagels topped with a smear of cream cheese or a generous layer of avocado. Fresh herbs like dill or chives add a vibrant touch, while a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of chili flakes can bring a sweet or spicy twist that elevates every bite.
Side Dishes
Pair your Cottage Cheese Bagels Recipe with crisp salads, roasted vegetables, or scrambled eggs for a balanced meal. Their mild flavor and flexible texture make them brilliant companions to fresh fruit bowls or even a protein-rich smoked salmon plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Why stop at plain bagels? Slice and toast them, then use as a base for mini sandwiches, open-faced toasts topped with colorful veggies, or even breakfast sliders. These bagels’ simple base provides a perfect canvas for your culinary creativity.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover bagels tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container to keep their moisture locked in. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for up to two days, ideal if you want to enjoy them the next morning without losing texture.
Freezing
To keep your bagels longer, freeze them individually wrapped in plastic and stored in a freezer-safe bag. This way, you can take out just what you need without freezing the entire batch. They freeze beautifully for up to three months, making them perfect for batch cooking.
Reheating
When ready to eat, thaw frozen bagels at room temperature, then toast or warm them in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes. This restores their chewiness and heats the crust back to that perfect golden finish you made them for.
FAQs
Can I use low-fat or non-fat cottage cheese?
Yes, but full-fat cottage cheese works best for moisture and flavor. Low-fat versions may make the bagels a little drier and less rich in taste.
Is self-rising flour necessary for this recipe?
Self-rising flour contains leavening agents that help the bagels rise nicely without extra yeast. If you don’t have it, you can substitute all-purpose flour with added baking powder and salt, but the texture might be slightly different.
Can I bake these bagels instead of air frying?
Absolutely! Both methods yield excellent results. Baking takes a bit longer but delivers an evenly golden, lovely crust that rivals your favorite bakery bagels.
How long will these bagels stay fresh without freezing?
Stored properly at room temperature, they stay best for about two days. Beyond that, they start to dry out, so refrigerating or freezing is recommended if you want to keep them longer.
Are these bagels suitable for a high-protein diet?
Yes! With about 11 grams of protein per serving thanks to the cottage cheese and eggs, they’re a fantastic option for anyone looking to up their protein intake deliciously.
Final Thoughts
This Cottage Cheese Bagels Recipe is a total game-changer if you want fresh, homemade bagels without all the fuss. Its simple ingredients come together to create something wonderfully chewy, protein-packed, and endlessly customizable. I’m genuinely excited for you to try this recipe and make your kitchen smell like a cozy bakery—enjoy every bite!
Print
Cottage Cheese Bagels Recipe
- Total Time: 30-45 minutes
- Yield: 4 bagels
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
These homemade cottage cheese bagels are a simple and healthy alternative to traditional bagels, made with just cottage cheese and self-rising flour. Packed with protein and easy to prepare, they can be cooked either in an air fryer or baked in the oven, resulting in a fluffy and golden bagel perfect for breakfast or snacks.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese, excess liquid drained
- 1 cup self-rising flour, plus more as needed
- 1 large egg, beaten
Toppings
- Everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, or other toppings of choice
Other
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Blend Cottage Cheese: Place the cottage cheese in a blender and blend on high until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed, about 1 minute.
- Mix Dough: Transfer the blended cottage cheese to a large bowl and add the self-rising flour. Mix together with a wooden spoon until all ingredients are well combined.
- Knead Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for about 5 minutes until the dough feels smooth with some bumps remaining. Add more flour if the dough is sticky.
- Shape Bagels: Divide the dough into 4 equal parts (about 80-90 grams each). Roll each piece into a 6-7 inch rope about 1 inch thick. Join the ends to form a circle and pinch the seam closed. Brush the tops with the beaten egg and sprinkle your desired toppings.
- Air Fry (Optional): Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray and place the bagels inside. Air fry for 13-15 minutes until puffed and golden brown. Let cool for 15 minutes before slicing.
- Oven Bake (Optional): Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the bagels on the top rack and bake for 25-30 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Let cool for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Drain excess liquid from the cottage cheese for best dough consistency.
- Use self-rising flour to avoid adding any additional leavening agents.
- Adjust flour amount as needed to prevent sticky dough.
- Bagels can be cooked either in an air fryer or in an oven depending on your preference.
- Allow bagels to cool before slicing to maintain structure and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (air fryer) or 25-30 minutes (oven)
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
