These High Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels are packed with a whopping 11 grams of protein per bagel! Fluffy, airy, and so delicious, they will become your new go-to high-protein bagel recipe!
If you are obsessed with bagels but looking to incorporate more proteins into your meals, these high-protein cottage cheese bagels are your new way to go!
They are packed with a whooping 11 grams of protein per bagel, super fluffy and airy, moist, and soooo delicious! Plus, the recipe is so easy to tackle with just a handful of simple ingredients. And you can skip the water bath you are used to from making homemade bagels!
High-Protein Bagels are the perfect way to start your day, giving you the energy, nutrients, and an extra boost of protein to tackle whatever comes your way. You can also use them to make bagel sandwiches, as a snack in-between, or simply toasted with cream cheese.
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Why Cottage Cheese?
Cottage cheese is a fantastic ingredient for boosting the protein content in your meals. It’s low in fat, rich in essential nutrients, and has a creamy texture that blends perfectly into various recipes. Plus, it’s a versatile ingredient that pairs well with both sweet and savory flavors.
Ingredients
See recipe card for quantities.
- Cottage Cheese: Adds moisture and a creamy texture to the bagels, while also boosting the protein content.
- Flour: Use all-purpose flour or bread flour.
- Baking Powder: Acts as a leavening agent (instead of yeast), helping the dough rise and become fluffy and airy.
- Salt: Enhances the flavor of the bagels.
- Egg: For the egg wash. It gives the bagels a beautiful, glossy, golden-brown finish that makes them look more appealing. Plus, it acts as a glue for any toppings you choose to add.
- Topping: Provides additional flavor and texture, making each bagel unique and delicious. You can use everything bagel seasoning, poppy seeds, or sesame seeds. Also tasted great plain without topping.
Visual Step-by-Step Instructions
This visual step-by-step instruction will help you along the way โ definitely recommended if youโre a baking beginner!
- Make The Dough: Blend cottage cheese in a food processor or with an immersion blender until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the blended cottage cheese, flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir with a silicone spatula until a sticky dough forms. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead with your hands until smooth. If the dough remains too sticky, gradually add up to 2 additional tablespoons of flour.
- Shape: Divide the dough into 4 equal portions (use a scale for even portions). Shape each one into a ball, cup your hand around, and roll it gently in a circular motion under your palm to create a smooth, tight ball.
- Then, shape each ball 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. โ The hole in the bagel should be 2 inches in diameter before baking to allow for expansion while keeping the classic shape. If it isn’t big enough, gently stretch the dough around the hole with your fingers to widen it.
- Season: Place the bagels on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Brush twice with the beaten egg and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning, a topping of choice, or leave them plain.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack. Slice, feel free to toast, and use like regular bagels.
Serving Suggestions
These Cottage Cheese Protein Bagels are incredibly versatile. Here are a few ideas for enjoying them:
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- Classic Cream Cheese: Spread with a generous layer of cream cheese and top with smoked salmon and capers, or sun-dried tomatoes and rocket. Vegan? Use this vegan carrot lox and a dairy-free cream cheese!
- Avocado Smash: Top with mashed avocado, a sprinkle of salt, and a dash of red pepper flakes.
- Nut Butter Delight: Spread with almond or peanut butter and top with sliced bananas and a drizzle of honey.
- Sandwich: Enjoy with a filling of your choice such as this vegan chicken curry salad, chickpea tuna salad, vegan egg salad, classic egg salad, or avocado egg salad.
Storage & Freezing Instructions
Store leftover bagels packed in a Ziploc bag or an airtight container at room temperature. Keeps good for 2-3 days. Heat in a toaster before serving.
Freeze bagels in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Allow thawing overnight at room temperature or in the refrigerator, then warm to your liking. OR defrost directly in a toaster.
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๐ Recipe
High Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels
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Save This Recipe! ๐
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ยฝ tsp salt
Topping
- 1 egg beaten
- everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds, poppy seeds, plain
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ยฐF (190ยฐ).
- Make The Dough: Blend cottage cheese in a food processor or with an immersion blender until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the blended cottage cheese, flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir with a silicone spatula until a sticky dough forms. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead with your hands until smooth. If the dough remains too sticky, gradually add up to 2 additional tablespoons of flour.
- Shape: Divide the dough into 4 equal portions (use a scale for even portions). Shape each one into a ball, cup your hand around, and roll it gently in a circular motion under your palm to create a smooth, tight ball. Then, shape each ball 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. โ The hole in the bagel should be 2 inches in diameter before baking to allow for expansion while keeping the classic shape. If it isn't big enough, gently stretch the dough around the hole with your fingers to widen it.
- Egg Wash & Season: Place the bagels on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Brush twice with the beaten egg and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning, a topping of choice, or leave them plain.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
- Everything Bagel Seasoning, you might not need the whole amount
- 2 tbsp white sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp black sesame seeds
- 1 tsp poppy seeds
- ยผ tsp dried garlic powder of flakes
- ยผ tsp dried onion powder or flakes
- a pinch of sea salt
- Keeps Fresh:ย Store bagels for up to 3 days in an airtight container at room temperature. Toast & Enjoy!
- Freeze bagels for up to 3 months in a freezer bag, and thaw directly frozen in a toaster.
Wow! Easy, delicious and versatile!! I topped one with cinnamon and sugar for a sweeter version. This will be my go-to recipe for bagels. Thank you!!!
Hi Gina, so happy to hear that! I love the twist with cinnamon & sugar! ๐ฅฏโค๏ธ
I NEVER comment on recipes, but I have shared this one with so many people. I love bagels and this has allowed me to enjoy them, guilt free!
Hi Alyssa, so glad you like these bagels so much! Thank you for taking the time and write such a kind comment! โค๏ธ
This was super easy and delicious
So glad to hear! ๐ Thank you for your kind feedback, Shishma!
Iโve struggled with these protein bagels and Iโm not sure why. I followed the instructions exactly, but they came out very dense with little air holes unlike the ones in your photos. I am at high elevationโ could that be why?
Hi Aspen,
Iโm so sorry to hear about your bagels! It sounds like your baking powder might not have worked as well as it should haveโsometimes, if it’s not fresh, it wonโt give you that perfect rise. Also, baking at high altitudes can definitely be tricky and affect how bread behaves. I found a super detailed guide that might help you out: King Arthur Baking’s High Altitude Guide.
I really hope your next batch of bagels turns out beautifully! ๐ If you ever have any other questions, feel free to reach out.
Sending you all the best, Aline ๐
I made this with wholemeal flour and worked exactly the same and added Zatar for the seasoning, was delicious and topped with olive oil and cheese… Very tasty and such a simple recipe, thank you ๐
Happy to hear, Carole! ๐ฅฐ Great idea with wholemeal flour, making them even more satisfying.