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A close-up of several bagels on a cooling rack in bright sunlight. Some are topped with mixed seeds, while one bagel is sliced open, revealing a soft interior. The scene suggests fresh baking and a cozy atmosphere.
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4.84 from 12 votes

Cottage Cheese Bagels (Viral)

High-protein and totally customizable, my cottage cheese bagels 🥯 make hitting your macros easy and delicious! They’re a healthier twist on traditional bagels but still have that soft, chewy inside and golden-brown crust you love.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time13 minutes
Total Time33 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 5 ingredient bagel, bagel recipe, bagels, cottage cheese bagel, protein bagels
Servings: 4 bagels
Author: The Modern Nonna

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour 160 grams, plus more for dusting
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder 8 grams
  • 1 teaspoon salt 5 grams
  • 1 cup cottage cheese blended
  • ½ egg beaten
  • optional sesame seeds, everything but bagel seasoning

Instructions

  • In a bowl, add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix.
    A glass bowl filled with flour on a wooden table. A hand is holding a spoon sprinkling more flour into the bowl, with the sun casting shadows and creating a warm ambiance.
  • Next, add the cottage cheese to a food processor and blend until smooth.
    A food processor bowl filled with chopped white onions. The bowl is transparent, placed on a light wooden surface, and sunlight is casting shadows on it. The "Max Liquid" line is visible on the side.
  • Add the blended cottage cheese into the dry ingredients and mix until a smooth dough. I like to start mixing with a fork and then switch over to my hands.
    A glass bowl containing flour and scoops of cream cheese, placed on a wooden surface. A spoon above the bowl holds a dollop of cream cheese. Warm sunlight shines on the setup, with a blurred kitchen background.
  • Note: if at any point the dough feels too sticky just dust a little bit of flour as you work with it.
  • 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.
    Close-up of a hand holding a knife, cutting a round, flour-covered dough on a wooden surface. Sunlight casts shadows on the table, and a kitchen counter with utensils is blurred in the background.
  • 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.
    A hand holding a dough ring, dusted with flour, over a light wooden surface. The background is slightly blurred, with subtle hints of a kitchen setting, including a wooden board and some baking ingredients.
  • Once the bagels are shaped, crack 1/2 egg (or 1 egg white) and beat it well.
    A close-up image of unbaked bagels being brushed with a shiny glaze on a white plate. Four bagels are visible, with a black brush applying the coating. The background is softly blurred, focusing on the surface texture of the dough.
  • 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.
    Close-up of unbaked dough rings on a plate being sprinkled with seasoning from a shaker. The dough appears soft and is on a light-colored surface, catching sunlight.
  • Air fry at 300F for 13 minutes or until golden. Enjoy!
    Three sesame seed-covered bagels are on a cooling rack. One bagel is sliced in half, revealing a soft interior. Bright natural light casts shadows, creating a fresh and appetizing appearance.

Video

Notes

  • 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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 bagel | Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 967mg | Potassium: 105mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Calcium: 170mg | Iron: 2mg
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