If you’re looking for an easy, protein-packed breakfast or snack, these Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Bagels are about to become your new favorite recipe! Packed with a whopping 11 grams of protein per bagel!
If you love bagels but want a protein boost, this recipe is for you! These air fryer bagels are made with simple ingredients and require no yeast or water bath—just mix, shape, and air fry. You’ll get perfectly golden bagels with a soft and chewy texture, all while keeping things quick and effortless. Similar to my beloved Cottage Cheese Bagels (baked in the oven).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- High in Protein – Thanks to cottage cheese, these bagels offer a protein boost, making them perfect for a filling meal or post-workout snack.
- No Yeast Required – Skip the long proofing times! This quick recipe uses baking powder instead of yeast, so your air fryer cottage cheese bagels are ready in no time.
- Easy to Make in the Air Fryer – No need to turn on the oven! The air fryer gives these bagels a beautiful golden crust while keeping the inside soft and chewy.
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Ingredients
See recipe card for quantities.
- Cottage Cheese: Adds moisture and a creamy texture while boosting the protein. I recommend 2% cottage cheese from Good Culture – it’s not too runny and therefore perfect for these protein bagels.
- Flour: Use all-purpose or bread flour.
- Baking Powder: Acts as a leavening agent, making the bagels fluffy and airy without yeast.
- Salt: Enhances flavor.
- Egg: Used for the egg wash, giving the bagels a golden, glossy finish and helping toppings stick.
- Toppings (Optional): Everything bagel seasoning, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, or leave them plain.
How To Make
- Make the Dough: Blend the cottage cheese in a blender until smooth.
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the blended cottage cheese and stir until a dough forms (feel free to use your hands, but don’t knead too much). If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.
- Shape the Bagels: Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and divide into four equal portions.
- Shape each portion into a ball, then roll into a 10-inch-long rope. Bring the ends of the rope together to form a circle, overlapping and pinching the ends together to seal. You can roll the seam on the counter to smooth it out.
- Brush & Season: Brush the tops with a beaten egg and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning, a topping of choice, or leave them plain.
- Air Fry: Place the bagels in the air fryer basket (I love my Ninja Air Fryer), ideally, they don’t touch. Air fry for 10 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Allow to cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack before slicing.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic Cream Cheese: Add smoked salmon and capers or sun-dried tomatoes with arugula.
- Avocado Smash: Mashed avocado, salt, and red pepper flakes.
- Bagel Sandwich: Try with chicken salad, tuna salad, or egg salad.
- Nut Butter & Banana: Almond or peanut butter with sliced banana and honey.
Tips for Success
- If you don’t have a blender, use Greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese.
- Store & Reheat: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or toaster to bring back the crispiness.
- Freeze: Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight at room temperature or in the refrigerator, then warm to your liking. OR defrost directly in a toaster. → Make sure to slice them before freezing, so you can easily toast them straight from frozen.
More Cottage Cheese Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Bagels
If you’re looking for an easy, protein-packed breakfast or snack, these Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Bagels are about to become your new favorite recipe!
Servings: 4
calories :171kcal
email me this recipe 💌
Plus, enjoy weekly doses of recipe inspiration as a bonus!
Ingredients
Bagels
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1 egg, beaten
- everything bagel seasoning
Instructions
- Blend the cottage cheese in a blender until smooth.
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the blended cottage cheese and stir until a dough forms (feel free to use your hands, but don't knead too much). If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.
- Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and divide into four equal portions.
- Shape each portion into a ball, then roll into a 10-inch-long rope. Bring the ends of the rope together to form a circle, overlapping and pinching the ends together to seal. You can roll the seam on the counter to smooth it out.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) with the Air-Fry function on.
- Brush the tops with a beaten egg and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning, a topping of choice, or leave them plain.
- Place the bagels in the air fryer basket, ideally, they don’t touch. Air fry for 10 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Allow to cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
- If you don’t have a blender, use Greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese.
- Store & Reheat: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or toaster to bring back the crispiness.
- Freeze: Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight at room temperature or in the refrigerator, then warm to your liking. OR defrost directly in a toaster. → Make sure to slice them before freezing, so you can easily toast them straight from frozen.
Equipment
Nutrition
Calories :171kcal
carbohydrates :26g
Protein :12g
fat :2g
fiber :1g
sugar :2g
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