Simple & Scrumptious Cottage Cheese Bagels Recipe for Breakfast

Whipping up delightful cottage cheese bagels can revolutionize your breakfast routine with unexpected texture and flavor.

Homemade bagels often intimidate home cooks, but this straightforward approach simplifies the process.

Soft, pillowy interiors paired with crisp golden exteriors make these bagels irresistible.

Dense protein from cottage cheese adds unexpected richness to each bite.

Warm kitchen aromas will draw people closer as these beauties emerge from the oven.

Simple ingredients guarantee success for bakers of every skill level.

Cottage Cheese Bagels That Are High-Protein and Soft

Quick Kitchen Magic: Effortless Bagel Making

• Minimal Ingredient Mastery: Whip up delicious bagels with just two main ingredients (cottage cheese and self-rising flour), making this recipe incredibly simple for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Versatile Cooking Options: Enjoy flexible preparation by using either an air fryer or traditional oven, perfect for adapting to your kitchen equipment and personal preference.
• Super Fast Preparation: Create homemade bagels in under 45 minutes from start to finish, delivering fresh, warm bread without exhausting cooking techniques or complicated steps.
• Protein-Packed Breakfast Hack: Transform cottage cheese into a protein-rich base that creates soft, satisfying bagels while sneaking in extra nutrition for health-conscious eaters.

Cottage Cheese Bagels What You’ll Use

• Cottage Cheese: Provides creamy texture and protein foundation for the bagels, best when full-fat and smooth.
• Egg: Adds moisture and helps create golden brown exterior, fresh eggs recommended.

• Self-Rising Flour: Creates light and soft bagel texture, all-purpose flour with added baking powder works as substitute.
• Flour (for surface): Prevents dough from sticking during kneading, use unbleached for better texture.

• Egg (beaten): Creates shiny, golden exterior for bagels, use whole egg for best results.
• Seasoning: Adds flavor complexity to bagel surface, everything bagel seasoning or sea salt recommended.
• Nonstick Spray: Prevents bagels from sticking during air frying, neutral vegetable spray preferred.

Making Cottage Cheese Bagels

Step 1: Whip Up the Cottage Cheese Base

Grab your blender and pour in the cottage cheese.

Blend the mixture until it transforms into a silky-smooth consistency, which takes about one minute.

Stop occasionally to scrape down the sides, ensuring everything gets perfectly blended.

Step 2: Create the Magical Dough

Transfer the blended cottage cheese into a mixing bowl.

Sprinkle in the self-rising flour and gently mix until a soft, cohesive dough starts to form.

The texture should feel soft and pliable.

Step 3: Knead the Dough to Perfection

Dust your work surface with a light layer of flour.

Carefully transfer the dough and begin kneading for about 5 minutes.

Don’t worry about achieving absolute smoothness – a few bumps are totally okay!

If the dough feels sticky, gradually add a small amount of extra flour.

Step 4: Shape Your Bagel Circles

Divide the dough into four equal portions.

Roll each piece into a long rope, approximately 6-7 inches long and about 1 inch thick.

Connect the ends of each rope to create circular bagel shapes, pinching the seams tightly to secure.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

Brush the bagels with beaten egg and sprinkle your favorite seasonings on top.

This adds a beautiful golden shine and extra flavor.

Step 6: Air Fry the Bagels

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.

Lightly spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray.

Carefully place the bagels in the basket and air fry for 13-15 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 7: Finish in the Oven

Preheat your conventional oven to 350°F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Transfer the air-fried bagels to the top rack and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes until they achieve a deep golden color.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Allow the bagels to cool for about 15 minutes.

This helps them set and makes slicing easier.

Serve warm with your favorite spreads and toppings.

Enjoy your homemade cottage cheese bagels!

Bagel Tips for Creamy Cottage Cheese Mornings

• Blend thoroughly to eliminate lumps, ensuring a creamy and consistent texture for perfect dough formation.
• Adjust flour gradually if dough feels sticky, adding small amounts to maintain ideal moisture and prevent dryness.
• Pinch bagel seams tightly when forming circles to prevent separation during cooking and create a professional-looking shape.
• Alternate between air fryer and oven based on kitchen equipment, maintaining consistent temperature for golden-brown results.
• Allow bagels to rest for 15 minutes after cooking, which helps stabilize structure and makes slicing easier without crumbling.

Store Cottage Cheese Bagels Soft

• Store bagels in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping them fresh and preventing moisture loss.
• Wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Frozen bagels stay delicious for 2-3 months.
• Warm at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness and revive their original texture.
• Quickly heat for 15-20 seconds, covering with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out.

Cottage Cheese Bagels Complements

• Savor Fresh Herb Cream Cheese: Whip softened cream cheese with chopped chives, dill, and parsley for a zesty spread that complements the bagel's tangy cottage cheese base.
• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a light Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to balance the bagel's richness and enhance its delicate flavor profile.
• Complement with Smoked Salmon: Layer thin slices of cold-smoked salmon on the bagel for a luxurious protein addition that brings out the bagel's creamy texture.
• Add Fresh Cucumber Salad: Toss cucumber slices with light vinaigrette and fresh mint to create a refreshing side that cuts through the bagel's dense consistency.

Cottage Cheese Bagels with Mix-In Options

• Gluten-Free Cottage Cheese Bagels: Replace self-rising flour with gluten-free flour blend and add 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Protein-Packed Version: Mix in protein powder or add seeds like chia, hemp, or flaxseeds to increase nutritional value and protein content.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute self-rising flour with almond flour or coconut flour, reducing carbohydrate count while maintaining a similar bagel-like consistency.
• Herb-Infused Bagels: Incorporate dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano into the dough for an aromatic and flavorful variation that adds depth to the basic recipe.

FAQs

• Are these bagels healthy?

These bagels are protein-packed and lower in carbs compared to traditional bagels, thanks to using cottage cheese as a primary ingredient. They’re also gluten-friendly when using self-rising flour.

• Do I need special equipment to make these bagels?

You’ll need a blender to smooth the cottage cheese, a mixing bowl, and either an air fryer or oven. A kitchen scale can help for precise portioning, but isn’t mandatory.

• Can I customize the seasoning on top?

Absolutely! You can use everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or any preferred savory spice blend to add extra flavor and texture to your bagels.

• How can I tell if the dough is the right consistency?

The dough should be slightly tacky but not overly sticky. If it’s too wet, add a bit more flour; if too dry, add a small amount of cottage cheese. The texture should allow you to knead and shape easily.

Cottage Cheese Bagels Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Homemade cottage cheese bagels deliver pure breakfast magic with irresistible flavor and protein-packed goodness. Crisp exterior and tender interior promise a delightful morning experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese
• 1 cup self-rising flour
• 1 large egg

Toppings:

• Everything bagel seasoning
• Sesame seeds

Cooking Preparation:

• Nonstick cooking spray

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Instructions

1. Pulverize cottage cheese in a blender until completely smooth and creamy, scraping down sides as necessary to ensure uniform texture.
2. Transfer blended cottage cheese into a mixing bowl, preparing for dough formation.
3. Incorporate self-rising flour into the cottage cheese mixture, stirring until a cohesive dough develops.
4. Transfer dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead for approximately 5 minutes, allowing the texture to become smoother while tolerating minor irregularities.
5. Adjust dough consistency by sprinkling additional flour if the mixture remains excessively sticky.
6. Partition the dough into four roughly equal portions, each weighing around 80-90 grams.
7. Roll each segment into elongated ropes measuring 6-7 inches long and approximately 1 inch in diameter.
8. Form circular shapes by connecting rope ends, firmly pinching the seam to prevent separation during cooking.
9. Generously coat bagel surfaces with beaten egg and dust with preferred seasoning blend.
10. Prepare air fryer by preheating to 350°F and lightly coating basket with nonstick spray.
11. Carefully position bagels in air fryer basket, cooking for 13-15 minutes until achieving a golden-brown exterior.
12. Simultaneously warm conventional oven to 350°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
13. Transfer air-fried bagels to prepared baking sheet, positioning on top rack and baking for 25-30 minutes to enhance color and texture.
14. Allow bagels to rest and cool for approximately 15 minutes before slicing.
15. Serve while slightly warm, accompanied by preferred toppings and condiments.

Notes

• Experiment with different flour types like whole wheat or gluten-free blends to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Ensure cottage cheese is fully blended to create a smooth, uniform texture without lumps.
• Add herbs or spices to the dough for extra flavor variations like garlic, rosemary, or everything bagel seasoning.
• For a lighter version, use low-fat cottage cheese and reduce the amount of seasoning used on top.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 31g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 14g
• Cholesterol: 30mg