Get ready to transform your breakfast routine! This viral cottage cheese bagel recipe is taking the internet by storm for good reason. You get a delightful, chewy bagel packed with protein, all without the fuss of yeast or boiling. Enjoy incredibly quick and delicious homemade bagels every time.
Why You’ll Love This Cottage Cheese Bagel Recipe
- Effortless Preparation: No yeast, no boiling, just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort.
- Packed with Protein: Cottage cheese adds a significant protein boost, keeping you full and satisfied.
- Customizable Delights: Easily personalize with your favorite savory or sweet toppings and mix-ins.
- Perfect Texture: Achieve a wonderfully crispy exterior and a fluffy, soft interior.
- Great for Meal Prep: Bake a batch ahead of time for quick, grab-and-go breakfasts or snacks throughout the week.
Ingredients
Gather these simple items to create your delicious cottage cheese bagel recipe:
- 1 ¼ cup blended cottage cheese (regular works, but blended mixes easier)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Everything bagel seasoning
- Flaky sea salt (big rock salt is the move)
Notes & Substitutions
Blended cottage cheese truly makes a difference in the dough’s smoothness; simply pulse regular cottage cheese in a blender or food processor until creamy. For the flour, you can use self-rising flour and omit the baking powder, or try a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a gluten-friendly option. If you prefer not to use an egg wash, a splash of milk or water mixed with a pinch of sugar can give your bagels a nice golden finish. Feel free to explore other toppings beyond everything bagel seasoning, like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, or even cinnamon sugar for a sweet twist.
Equipment
You won’t need many specialized tools to make this easy protein bagel recipe.
- Large mixing bowl
- Baking sheet or pizza stone
- Parchment paper
- Bench scraper or sharp knife
- Pastry brush (for egg wash)
- Optional: Blender or food processor for blending cottage cheese
Instructions
Making Bethenny’s Viral Cottage Cheese Bagels is surprisingly simple. Follow these steps to bake your own batch of delightful, high-protein bagels. This cottage cheese bagel recipe comes together in no time.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Surface: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place a cookie sheet or pizza stone inside while it heats up. This preheated surface helps achieve a crispier bottom on your bagels.
- Combine Dough Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the blended cottage cheese, all-purpose flour, and baking powder. Stir these ingredients thoroughly until they form a sticky dough. Do not worry if it looks a bit gloopy; this is the normal consistency for this type of dough.
- Shape the Bagels: Lightly flour a clean work surface. Use a bench scraper or a sharp knife to divide the sticky dough into four equal portions. With floured hands, gently shape each portion into a ball. Then, press your thumb through the center of each ball to create a classic bagel shape. Add more flour to your hands and the surface as needed to prevent the dough from sticking. Place each shaped bagel onto a sheet of parchment paper.
- Apply Egg Wash and Toppings: Brush the tops of each bagel lightly with the beaten egg. This egg wash helps the toppings adhere and gives the bagels a beautiful golden-brown color. Sprinkle generously with everything bagel seasoning, flaky salt, or any other toppings of your choice.
- Bake Until Golden: Carefully transfer the parchment paper with the bagels onto the preheated cookie sheet or pizza stone in the oven. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the bagels are beautifully golden brown and have a crisp exterior.
- Cool Slightly and Serve: Once baked, remove the bagels from the oven. Let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving. Or, if you cannot wait, enjoy them warm straight away!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
For the best texture, always blend your cottage cheese until completely smooth. This creates a much more uniform and less lumpy dough, resulting in a superior bagel. Use ample flour on your hands and work surface; this dough is naturally sticky, so don’t be shy with the flour to prevent it from clinging. To maximize crispness, always place your bagels on a preheated baking surface. This helps create a lovely crust right from the start. Embrace imperfect, rustic shapes; homemade bagels do not need to look factory-made to be delicious. If your dough becomes too sticky to handle, add a tiny bit more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it is workable. Ensure even baking and browning by rotating your baking sheet halfway through the cooking time.
Serving, Storage & Variations
Serving Suggestions
These protein-packed bagels are wonderful warm from the oven. For a savory treat, toast them and spread with cream cheese, avocado, or a fried egg. You can also make a fantastic bagel sandwich for lunch. For a sweeter option, try them with butter and a drizzle of honey, or a smear of fruit jam.
Storage Instructions
Store your cooled cottage cheese bagels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Reheat frozen bagels in a toaster or oven until warmed through and slightly crisp.
Flavor Variations
Get creative with your cottage cheese bagel recipe! For savory options, knead in shredded cheddar cheese, diced jalapeños, or dried herbs like rosemary or garlic powder into the dough. For a sweet twist, mix in a teaspoon of cinnamon and a tablespoon of sugar before shaping, then top with a cinnamon-sugar mixture. Experiment with different seasonings like poppy seeds, black sesame seeds, or even dried onion flakes for unique flavor profiles.
Nutrition
This cottage cheese bagel recipe offers a significant protein boost, making it a fantastic choice for a filling breakfast or snack. Research from institutions like UCLA Health supports the claim that the high protein content in cottage cheese can contribute to feelings of fullness and aid in weight management. The high protein content helps promote satiety, keeping you fuller for longer and providing sustained energy throughout your day. Cottage cheese also provides beneficial calcium for bone health and can contribute probiotics, supporting gut health.
| Nutrient | Value (Approx. per bagel, based on 4 servings) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 200-250 |
| Protein | 15-20g |
| Carbohydrates | 25-30g |
| Fat | 5-8g |
| Fiber | 1-2g |
FAQ
- Is cottage cheese healthy for breakfast?
- Yes, cottage cheese is excellent for breakfast! It provides a fantastic source of protein, which helps keep you feeling full and energized. These homemade bagels are a delicious way to enjoy it.
- How do you make blended cottage cheese?
- Simply place regular cottage cheese into a blender or food processor. Blend it on high until it becomes completely smooth and creamy.
- What are good toppings for cottage cheese bagels?
- Classic cream cheese, avocado, a fried egg, everything bagel seasoning, or even sweet jams are all delicious options. Get creative and use your favorites!
- Can I make these bagels ahead of time?
- Absolutely! You can store baked bagels at room temperature for a few days or freeze them for up to two months. They reheat wonderfully.
- Why did my bagels not rise?
- These bagels rely on baking powder, not yeast, for their rise. To ensure your baked goods achieve the best lift, it’s important to understand the optimal storage and shelf life of baking powder. Ensure your baking powder is fresh, as old baking powder can lose its leavening power.
- Are these bagels gluten-free?
- Using all-purpose flour, these are not gluten-free. However, you can substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a gluten-friendly version.
Conclusion
This viral cottage cheese bagel recipe truly delivers on its promise: an easy, high-protein, and incredibly delicious homemade bagel experience. You can ditch the complicated yeast and boiling steps, replacing them with a simple, beginner-friendly method. Give these quick bagels a try; you’ll love their crispy exterior, fluffy interior, and satisfying protein punch that keeps you full and happy.
Easy & High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagel Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and place a cookie sheet or pizza stone inside to heat up.
- In a medium bowl, combine the blended cottage cheese, flour, and baking powder, then stir until a sticky, gloopy dough forms.
- Lightly flour a clean surface, then use a bench scraper or knife to divide the dough into four equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball, then press your thumb through the center to form a bagel shape, adding more flour as needed. Place the shaped bagels on parchment paper.
- Brush the tops of each bagel lightly with the beaten egg, then generously sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning, flaky salt, or other desired toppings.
- Carefully transfer the parchment and bagels onto the preheated cookie sheet and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Let them cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Taya Bennett is the founder of YumEasyMeals, a platform dedicated to easy, delicious, and quick-to-prepare recipes for busy families. Passionate about everyday cooking, she simplifies meals with practical, accessible, and always delicious ideas.
Discover her creations at: yumeasymeals.com
