Cottage Cheese Bagels
Protein-packed Cottage Cheese Bagels are shockingly fluffy, chewy, and delicious with 11g protein each. All you need is flour, cottage cheese, and baking powder. No yeast, no rising, and no boiling—make them in the air fryer or oven!
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A new way to work cottage cheese into your day!
If you’re all about that protein life, then I bet you’re all about that cottage cheese life too. I’m always brainstorming new and inventive ways to use cottage cheese to add nutrition to my favorite foods.
Some are hits: Cottage Cheese Pancakes, Protein Ice Cream. Some are misses. (I’ve made Ben promise to never speak of the time I tried to see if I could make a latte with cottage cheese.) And some, like these cottage cheese bagels, are TOTALLY life-changing.
If you’ve made my Air Fryer Protein Bagels, then you’ll be familiar with the concept: bagels that are leavened with baking powder instead of yeast and baked in the air fryer.
- They’re tender yet chewy, just like a good bagel should be. Are they indistinguishable from a bagel you’d pick up at a deli in NYC? No! But they are really, really good!
- Unlike traditional bagels, these cottage cheese bagels don’t need to rise and they don’t need to be boiled. Just bake them in your air fryer!
- Compared to my protein bagels, these cottage cheese bagels have less tang to them since I’ve swapped out the Greek yogurt with cottage cheese.
Give them a try and I promise, you will be impressed! These are way better than the “healthy bagels” you find at the grocery store.
My Best Tips for Making Cottage Cheese Bagels
- Use Full-Fat Cottage Cheese. The fat in the cottage cheese is crucial for achieving a nice, tender texture. You can use low-fat if you absolutely must (the bagels will be less soft if you do), but do not use fat-free cottage cheese.
- Add Some Whole Grains. I use a 50/50 mix of whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour to work some extra whole grains into this recipe. If you prefer not to do so, you can use entirely all-purpose flour.
- Make Sure Your Baking Powder Is Fresh. If your bagels don’t rise in the air fryer, the culprit is most likely baking powder that is past its prime. It’s always important to use fresh baking powder in baking, but even more so in a recipe like this where there are no other ingredients in the dough that promote rising.
- Air Fry Them in Batches. The cottage cheese bagels will need room in the air fryer basket for air to circulate; many air fryers will be able to accommodate all four bagels at once, but if yours is on the smaller side, it’s better to air fry them in batches. Or, see directions to bake in the oven.
- A Note About Toasting. These bagels don’t toast the way a traditional bagel would. That’s not to say they can’t be toasted—they’ll get warm (of course!) and toast a bit on the cut sides, but they never get the same level of crispiness or browning.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Bagels
Blend the Cottage Cheese. Blend it until it’s completely smooth, either in a blender or food processor.
Make the Dough. Whisk the dry ingredients and make a well in the middle. Add the cottage cheese to the well and stir to combine.
Knead. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for a minute or two, until it comes together in a smooth dough.
Form the Bagels. Divide the dough into four equal sections. Roll each into a role, then connect the ends to form a ring. Place the bagels on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush with egg wash, and add your toppings of choice.
Air Fry or Bake. Bake the cottage cheese bagels at 350 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until baked through and golden brown. Cool slightly then ENJOY!
Ideas for Using These High Protein Bagels
- The Classic Options. Cream cheese, Smoked Salmon, capers, some fresh dill.
- Sandwiches. Instead of bread, use protein-packed cottage cheese bagels for your ham and cheese or turkey and Swiss!
- Pizza Bagels. HECK. YES. Add marinara, mozzarella, and your favorite toppings.
- Hummus and Cucumber. This is one of my favorites: add a generous layer of Homemade Hummus, slices of cucumber, and some Pickled Red Onions.
- Bagel Egg in a Hole. Add an egg to your bagel for even more protein!
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Cottage Cheese Bagels
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Ingredients
- 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese low-fat can work but will be less plush; do not use fat free
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup whole wheat flour or additional all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water to create an egg wash
Topping Ideas:
- Everything bagel seasoning
- Shredded sharp cheddar and thinly sliced jalapeno
- Finely chopped rosemary and sea salt
- Grated Parmesan
Instructions
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In a small food processor or blender, blend the cottage cheese until smooth.
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In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, and salt.
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Make a hole in the center, then add the blended cottage cheese. With a spoon or small rubber spatula, stir until the mixture forms a shaggy mass.
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Lightly flour a work surface, then turn the dough out onto it. Knead it for 1 to 2 minutes, until it forms a smooth dough. If the dough is too sticky to handle, lightly flour your hands and the counter as needed.
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With a bench scraper or butter knife, divide the dough into quarters. Roll each quarter first into a ball, then out and into a rope that is 3/4 inches wide and about 8 to 9 inches long. Connect the ends of the rope to each other form a ring, pressing lightly to seal. Repeat with the remaining quarters.
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Place the bagels on a parchment lined baking sheet, then brush the tops with the egg wash. Sprinkle with your desired toppings.
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Arrange the bagels in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch (you may need to cook in batches)—for easy transfer, I remove my air fryer basket insert, place two bagels on top, then lower them in (note this only works with the first batch, as the insert will be super hot later on). Air fry at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, until the bagels are golden brown on top and at the sides.
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Let the bagels cool slightly on a wire rack. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- TO STORE: Leftovers can be stored at room temperature for 2 to 3 days in an airtight container or ziptop bag. Reheat in the toaster oven or air fryer (we eat ours within 24 hours).
- TO FREEZE: You can freeze these cottage cheese bagels for up to 2 months. I slice them first so the halves can be toasted from frozen.
- TO BAKE IN THE OVEN: Bake the bagels at 375°F. They’ll take longer—start checking for doneness at about 20 minutes.
Nutrition
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Original source: https://www.wellplated.com/cottage-cheese-bagels/