Cottage Cheese Bagels

Not all heroes wear capes, and this Cottage Cheese Bagel is living proof. You already know The Protein the cook was on the prowl again for some high-protein recipes that make breakfast something to look forward to. Then, we stumbled upon these cottage cheese bagels from our girl Gina over at Skinny Taste and WOWWW. Mind = blown. We know it’s a bold claim, but dare we say… these might actually be BETTER than regular bagels?! Soft and chewy on the inside golden & crisp on the outside—these bad boys had us questioning everything we thought we knew about bagels. Like, how can something this be so straightforward to make?! And the best part? They help us hit our protein goals while tasting like a cheat meal. This shouldn’t even be legal…

What stands out

High-protein and highly customizable our cottage cheese bagels are a straightforward and way to hit your macros! Even though they’re a healthier take on traditional bagels, you still get that signature bite – soft and chewy on the inside with a golden-brown crust. You’ll have a blast playing with different flavor profiles from cinnamon and raisins to savory garlic and chives. Plus, our air-fryer method means you can have warm, homemade bagels quicker than the time it takes to hit up Panera. Top these high-protein bagels with sesame seeds, asiago cheese, or everything bagel seasoning for added crunch. And pair them with our Labneh Breakfast Plate for a healthy twist on bagels and lox. Enjoy!

How to Prepare

In a bowl add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix.

Next, add the cottage cheese to a food processor and blend until smooth.

Add the blended cottage cheese into the dry ingredients and mix until a smooth dough. We like to start mixing with a fork and then switch over to our hands.

Next, cut the dough ball into 4 equal pieces. Take each piece, roll into a ball and poke a hole in the middle with your finger creating that bagel-like shape.

Shape each one into a bagel by gently stretching it and dust with a little bit of flour if it sticks to your hands as you work with each one.

Once the bagels are shaped, crack 1/2 egg (or 1 egg white) and beat it well.

Brush the tops and the sides of each bagel with the egg and optionally, sprinkle each one with sesame seeds, everything bagel seasoning, or poppy seeds.

Air fry at 300F for 13 minutes or until golden. Enjoy!

Kitchen tip

If at any point the dough feels too sticky, just dust a little bit of flour as you work with it.

Swaps

1. For gluten-free cottage cheese bagels, use a 1:1 flour substitute.
2. To make this recipe dairy-free look for a high-protein vegan cottage cheese.
3. Toppings like sesame or poppy seeds add a nice crunch. You can also add your favorite cheese for more savory goodness.
4. Play with different flavor profiles like blueberry, garlic and chives, or cinnamon and raisins.
5. No air fryer, no problem! Bake these in the oven at 375F on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for about 25 minutes.
6. Use this same dough to make Cottage Cheese Pita Bread and Cottage Cheese Pizza Dough.

Tips for Cottage Cheese Bagels

• Blend the Cottage Cheese Well – Make sure to blend the cottage cheese until completely smooth before adding it to the dry ingredients. This helps create a uniform dough without lumps, making the bagels softer and easier to work with.
• Flour is Your Friend – If the dough feels too sticky, lightly dust it with flour as needed. But don’t overdo it—too much flour can make the bagels dense instead of soft and chewy.
• Knead with Care – Start mixing with a fork, but once it begins to come together, switch to your hands to form a smooth, elastic dough.
• Bagel Shape Hack – When making the hole in the center, give the dough a gentle stretch instead of just poking through. This prevents it from closing up while baking and keeps that classic bagel shape.
• Egg Wash for the Win – Don’t skip the egg wash! It gives the bagels that beautiful golden-brown color and helps toppings like sesame seeds or “Everything But the Bagel” seasoning stick better.
• Let Them Cool Slightly – Resist the urge to dive in right away (we know, it’s hard). Let the bagels cool for a few minutes—this helps them set and improves the texture.

Serve it with

• These high-protein bagels and our Labneh Breakfast Plate are a nice twist on bagels and lox.
• Slather your bagel in layers of butter, cream cheese, and The Healthiest Jam.
• Make an exceptional breakfast sandwich with a fried egg, avocado, and our Breakfast Sausage Recipe.
• Enjoy with a hot cup of coffee, a side of fluffy scrambled eggs, and crispy bacon.

Questions

Can we make these gluten free?

Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute instead of all-purpose flour.

Can we make these dairy-free?

Of course! Look for a dairy-free cottage cheese alternatives. Be sure to check the protein content on the nutrition label, as dairy-free alternatives have varying amounts.

Can we add other ingredients to the dough?

Absolutely! You can customize your bagels with different flavor profiles, like garlic and chives or cinnamon and raisins.

What toppings can we add?

Feel free to experiment with toppings like sesame seeds, everything bagel seasoning, cinnamon/sugar, asiago cheese, and more!

Can we make this recipe with low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese?

It will work, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Low-fat and fat-free cottage cheese is a lighter option, but full-fat cottage cheese makes a for a richer flavored bagel – not to mention a higher protein count.

Why is our dough so sticky?

Your dough may have too much moisture. A light dusting of flour will make the dough easier to work with.

Can we bake these in the oven?

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake these in the oven at 375F on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for about 25 minutes.

Ingredients

Makes 4 bagels

• 1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cottage cheese, blended
• ½ egg, beaten
• optional, sesame seeds, everything but bagel seasoning

Equipment

• Redmond Real Salt
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Cups + Spoons
• Large Food Processor
• Chefs Knife

Method

1. In a bowl, add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix.
2. Next, add the cottage cheese to a food processor and blend until smooth.
3. Add the blended cottage cheese into the dry ingredients and mix until a smooth dough. We like to start mixing with a fork and then switch over to our hands.
4. Note: if at any point the dough feels too sticky just dust a little bit of flour as you work with it.
5. Next, cut the dough ball into 4 equal pieces. Take each piece, roll into a ball and poke a hole in the middle with your finger creating that bagel-like shape.
6. Shape each one into a bagel by gently stretching it and dust with a little bit of flour if it sticks to your hands as you work with each one.
7. Once the bagels are shaped, crack 1/2 egg (or 1 egg white) and beat it well.
8. Brush the tops and the sides of each bagel with the egg and optionally, sprinkle each one with sesame seeds, everything but the bagel seasoning or poppy seeds.
9. Air fry at 300F for 13 minutes or until golden. Enjoy!

Kitchen notes

• Other ways to bake: You can also use this dough to make Cottage Cheese Bagels or Cottage Cheese Pizza Dough.
• Flour alternatives: This recipe works with unbleached all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, or gluten-free flour such as Cup4Cup.
• Dairy-free: To make this recipe dairy-free, look for a high-protein vegan cottage cheese.
• Mix-ins: Play with different flavor profiles, like garlic and chives or cinnamon and raisins.
• Toppings: Sesame seeds or poppy seeds add a nice crunch. You can also add your favorite cheese for more savory goodness.
• Oven Method: If you don’t have an air fryer, bake these in the oven at 375F on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for about 25 minutes.
• Nutrition note: Each bagel is about 200 calories with 10 grams of protein.