High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels Made with 3 Ingredients (Great for Snacks and Breakfasts)
These cottage cheese bagels are soft, chewy, and packed with protein. Made with just three simple ingredients, they bake up quickly and are perfect for a fast breakfast, savory snack, or light sandwich. I’ve been making these on repeat lately — they’re so easy, and they always come out just right. If you’re looking for an easy way to make protein bagels with cottage cheese at home, this recipe is a great place to start.
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You can bake them in the oven or make cottage cheese bagels in the air fryer for an even quicker option. Spread them with cream cheese, top with avocado, or enjoy them plain — either way, they’re a fresh take on traditional bagels. I recently made a batch of homemade jam, and it’s been one of my favorite ways to enjoy these bagels — just a little swipe makes them even better.
Why You’ll Love These Cottage Cheese Bagels
- Soft, Chewy Texture: These bagels have a satisfying chew without feeling heavy or dense — just how I like them.
- High-Protein and Filling: Thanks to cottage cheese, each bagel packs more protein than a regular bagel.
- No Yeast, No Rise Time: The dough comes together fast, and you don’t have to wait around for it to rise.
- Oven or Air Fryer Friendly: I usually air fry them when I’m short on time, but both methods work really well.
- Great for Meal Prep: They store and freeze beautifully, so it’s easy to have a quick breakfast or snack ready whenever you need it.
Ingredients
See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
Step-by-step Instructions
Step 1: Blend the cottage cheese in a food processor or blender. Transfer the blended cottage cheese to a medium bowl and add flour.
Step 2: Stir until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Lightly flour a work surface. Place the dough on it and knead 8–10 times until smooth, adding more flour if the dough feels sticky.
Step 3: Roll the dough into a ball, then divide it into four equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 6–7 inch rope about 1 inch thick. Bring the ends together to form a circle, and pinch the seam to seal.
Step 4: Brush the tops with beaten egg and sprinkle with Everything bagel seasoning.
Step 5: Preheat the air fryer to 350℉ for 5 minutes and place the bagels inside.
Step 6: Air fry for 12–14 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
Expert Tips
- Cottage Cheese: Full-fat cottage cheese works best. The texture of your dough might vary depending on the brand you use.
- No Self-Rising Flour? If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can use all-purpose flour mixed with 1 teaspoon baking powder and ½ teaspoon kosher salt.
- Greek Yogurt Swap: You can also substitute plain Greek yogurt for cottage cheese if needed.
- Dough Tips: Some cottage cheese brands create a wetter dough. If your dough feels sticky, add extra flour a tablespoon at a time, kneading it in until smooth. For best results, measure flour using the spoon-and-level method.
- Egg Wash Substitute: If you want to skip the egg wash, brush the bagels with milk or olive oil instead. Both will help the bagels brown nicely in the oven.
- Gluten-free: To make gluten-free bagels, use a good-quality gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum. Mix 1 cup of the blend with 1 teaspoon baking powder and ½ teaspoon kosher salt.
Pro Tip: When shaping the bagels, make sure to create a large enough hole in the center — bigger than you think you need. I learned the hard way that if the hole is too small, it pretty much closes up as the bagels bake and puff up in the air fryer. Give the dough a good stretch when shaping to keep that nice bagel look after cooking!
Serving Suggestions
These cottage cheese bagels are so versatile — I’ve been enjoying them for breakfast, lunch, and even quick snacks. Here are a few ways I love to serve them:
- Fresh with a Spread: Slice and spread with cream cheese, butter, or hummus. Lately, I made a fresh batch of raspberry rhubarb jam, so I’ve been loving them with a swipe of jam, too — it’s the perfect sweet touch.
- Loaded for Breakfast: Top with mashed avocado, sliced tomatoes, and a sprinkle of chili flakes for a quick, savory breakfast that keeps you full.
- Bagel Sandwiches: Use them as the base for turkey, chicken, or veggie sandwiches. They’re sturdy enough to handle both light and hearty fillings without getting soggy.
- Toast and Serve: I like to lightly toast them before serving for a little extra texture — especially when I make cottage cheese bagels in the air fryer.
- Meal Prep Idea: Make a batch and freeze any extras. Then, just defrost and toast when you need an easy, high-protein breakfast on busy mornings.
More Bread Recipes
- From dough to oven in under two hours, these homemade croissants are flaky, golden, and perfect with coffee. Ideal for slow weekends or anyone ready to check croissants off their baking bucket list.
- Get ready to bake your own perfect French baguette with this simple, easy-to-follow recipe. The result is a crusty, golden exterior with a soft, airy interior—just like the baguettes you’d find in Parisian boulangeries.
- These Red Lentil Bread Rolls are next-level delicious! Made with pantry staples, they’re high-protein, gluten-free, and ready in a flash!
- Light, fluffy, buttery, and golden—these homemade buttermilk drop biscuits check all the right boxes. They’re easy to make, super satisfying, and a perfect side for just about any meal. You’ll want to make a double batch.
- This no-knead rosemary focaccia is soft on the inside, crispy on the edges, and full of herby flavor. All you need is a bowl, a spoon, and a little patience while it rises. Serve it warm or use it as the base for your next sandwich.
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Equipment
- Baking tray OR
Ingredients
- 1 cup self-rising flour see Notes
- 1 cup cottage cheese full-fat
- 1 small egg beaten, for egg wash
- Everything bagel seasoning
Instructions
- If baking, preheat the oven to 375℉. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Move the oven rack to the top third of the oven.
Make and shape the dough:
- Blend the cottage cheese in a food processor or blender until completely smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides if needed.
- Transfer the blended cottage cheese to a medium bowl. Add the flour and stir until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Lightly flour a work surface. Place the dough on it and knead 8–10 times until smooth, adding a little more flour as needed if the dough feels sticky.
- Roll the dough into a ball, then divide it into four equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 6–7 inch rope about 1 inch thick. Bring the ends together to form a circle, and pinch the seam to seal.
- Brush the tops with beaten egg and sprinkle with Everything bagel seasoning.
Air Fryer Instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 350℉ for 5 minutes. Spray the basket with nonstick spray.
- Place the bagels inside and air fry for 12–14 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
- Let the bagels cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Baking Instructions:
- Arrange the bagels on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until the bagels are puffed and golden brown.
- Let the bagels cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Cottage Cheese: Full-fat cottage cheese works best. The texture of your dough might vary depending on the brand you use.
- Greek Yogurt Swap: You can also substitute plain Greek yogurt for cottage cheese if needed.
- Dough Tips: Some cottage cheese brands create a wetter dough. If your dough feels sticky, add extra flour a tablespoon at a time, kneading it in until smooth. For best results, measure flour using the spoon-and-level method.
- Egg Wash Substitute: If you want to skip the egg wash, brush the bagels with milk or olive oil instead. Both will help the bagels brown nicely in the oven.
