Bagels are usually thought of as a weekend breakfast or something you pick up from a bakery. But you can make a high protein cottage cheese bagel at home with just a handful of ingredients and no yeast.
These bagels are soft, chewy, lightly crisp on the outside, and easy to customize with everything seasoning, sesame seeds, cheese, or even cinnamon sugar. Cottage cheese adds protein while keeping the dough tender, making this a simple option for a filling breakfast or snack.
The cottage cheese bagel trend commonly uses cottage cheese and self-rising flour or a combination of flour and baking powder, and similar recipes typically skip yeast and rising time.
Ingredients
For the Bagels
- 1 cup cottage cheese, about 225 g
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, plus extra if needed
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Topping
- 1 egg, beaten, for egg wash
- 1–2 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or your favorite topping
Tip: Use cottage cheese that isn't excessively watery. Draining some of the extra liquid makes the dough easier to work with.
How to Make High Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels
1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Blend the Cottage Cheese
Add the cottage cheese to a blender or food processor and blend until mostly smooth.
This gives the bagels a more even texture and prevents large curds from remaining in the dough. Several popular cottage cheese bagel recipes use blended cottage cheese for this reason.
3. Make the Dough
Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to a mixing bowl.
Stir in the blended cottage cheese and mix until a dough begins to form.
Knead gently for about 2–3 minutes. The dough should be soft and workable rather than extremely sticky.
If it feels too wet, add a little extra flour, one tablespoon at a time. Avoid adding too much because it can make the finished bagels dense.
4. Shape the Bagels
Divide the dough into 4 equal portions.
Roll each portion into a short rope and join the ends together to form a bagel shape. Pinch the seam gently so it doesn't open while baking.
Place the bagels on the prepared baking tray.
5. Add the Toppings
Brush the tops lightly with beaten egg.
Sprinkle with everything seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or another topping of your choice.
6. Bake
Bake for approximately 20–25 minutes, or until the bagels are puffed and golden brown.
Let them cool for a few minutes before slicing.
How to Serve Cottage Cheese Bagels
These bagels are delicious on their own, but toppings can turn them into a complete breakfast.
Try them with:
- Cream cheese and cucumber
- Peanut butter and banana
- Avocado and chili flakes
- Scrambled eggs
- Hummus and sliced vegetables
- Cottage cheese and fresh herbs
- Smoked salmon and cream cheese
For an extra protein-rich breakfast, pair one bagel with eggs, Greek yogurt, or another protein source.