These Cottage Cheese Bagels are a surprisingly simple and healthy alternative to traditional bagels. They’re high in protein, low in fat, and require only a few ingredients. Perfect for a quick breakfast or snack, they’re versatile and can be customized with your favorite toppings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- High Protein: Thanks to the cottage cheese, these bagels are packed with protein, keeping you full and satisfied.
- Simple Ingredients: You only need a few basic ingredients to make these bagels.
- Easy to Make: No yeast or kneading required, making them quick and easy to prepare.
- Versatile: Enjoy them plain or with your favorite toppings.
- Healthier Alternative: A great option for those looking for a healthier bagel alternative.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour): Provides the structure for the bagels.
- Baking powder: Helps the bagels rise.
- Cottage cheese: Adds protein and moisture.
- Egg: Used for the egg wash and adds moisture.
- Everything bagel seasoning: Adds flavor and texture.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Bagels
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder.
- Add Cottage Cheese:
- Add the cottage cheese to the dry ingredients and stir with a spatula.
- Mix with your hands until a ball of dough forms.
- Knead the dough about 20 times.
- Cover the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Shape the Bagels:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and form a log.
- Cut the log into 4 even pieces.
- Roll each piece into a rope and then into a bagel shape, pinching the ends together.
- Place the bagels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Egg Wash and Season:
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg.
- Brush the bagels with the egg wash.
- Sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning.
- Bake:
- Bake the bagels for 25 minutes, or until golden brown and puffy.
- Let the bagels rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
- Serve:
- Slice and add your favorite toppings.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Don’t Skip the Resting Time: Letting the dough rest allows the gluten to relax, resulting in a tender bagel.
- Use Room Temperature Cottage Cheese: This will make it easier to incorporate into the dough.
- Adjust Flour as Needed: If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour. If it’s too dry, add a little more cottage cheese.
- Experiment with Toppings: Try different toppings like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or onion flakes.
- Air Fryer Option: You can also air fry these bagels at 280°F (138°C) for 15-20 minutes.
How to Serve
- Breakfast: Enjoy with cream cheese, avocado, or eggs.
- Lunch: Use them for sandwiches or toast them and top with your favorite lunch meats and vegetables.
- Snack: Eat them plain or with a light spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze in a resealable Ziploc bag for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter or in the microwave or toaster.
FAQs
- Can I use a different type of flour?
- Yes, gluten-free flour works well.
- Can I use low-fat cottage cheese?
- Yes, but the texture may be slightly different.
- Can I add other flavors to the dough?
- Yes, you can add herbs or spices to the dough for extra flavor.
- Why do I have to let the bagels rest after baking?
- Letting the bagels rest allows them to finish cooking and allows the texture to become optimal.
Cottage Cheese Bagels
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Resting Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 bagels 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
Description
These Cottage Cheese Bagels are a simple and protein-packed alternative to traditional bagels. Made with a mixture of flour and cottage cheese, they’re easy to prepare and bake, offering a satisfying and versatile base for your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour, more for dusting
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 egg
- Everything bagel seasoning
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, add flour and baking powder; whisk well to combine.
- Form Dough: Add cottage cheese and stir with a spatula to combine, then mix with your hands until a ball of dough forms. Knead about 20 times. Dough should be not sticky but not dry. Cover with a towel and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Shape Bagels: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer dough to a counter, form a log, and cut into 4 even pieces. Flour the surface, place one piece of dough, roll into a rope, and then into a bagel shape, pinching the ends together. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and repeat with remaining dough.
- Egg Wash and Season: In a small bowl, whisk the egg. Brush bagels with an egg wash and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, onion flakes, or leave plain.
- Bake: Bake on a middle rack for 25 minutes or until golden brown and puffy. Remove from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes.
- Serve: Slice, spread, and enjoy protein bagels with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Store: Keep in an airtight container in a cool dark place for 3-4 days.
- Freeze: Freeze in a resealable Ziploc bag for 3 months. Thaw on a counter for a few hours or pop into the microwave or toaster.
- Air Fryer: You can also air fry bagels at 280°F (138°C) for 15-20 minutes, depending on the air fryer.
- Gluten-Free: I tried bagels with this Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free baking flour. I know there is also this one, and I think it will work, I just don’t love its chickpea taste or texture.
- Don’t skip resting the dough and bake bagels as per recipe.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bagel
- Calories: 198 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 392 mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.6 g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 2mg
