Description
These Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels are a quick and healthy twist on traditional bagels, made with simple ingredients and cooked to perfection in the air fryer. Soft, fluffy, and packed with protein, they’re an ideal breakfast or snack option that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons cottage cheese (2% or 4%)
- 1 egg (optional, for egg wash)
- Splash of water or milk (for egg wash)
Toppings
- Everything seasoning
- Poppy seeds
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, baking powder, and optional salt into a medium bowl and mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Mix Dough: Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the cottage cheese. Stir together with a fork or rubber spatula until the dough starts to come together into chunky lumps. You can also use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook for this step.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead gently for 1-2 minutes until it forms a semi-smooth ball. If the dough feels sticky, dust with additional flour or lightly flour your hands while kneading. Alternatively, knead in a stand mixer with dough hook attachment.
- Shape Bagels: Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Roll each portion into a 6-7 inch long log about 3/4 inch thick. Join the ends together to form a classic bagel shape. Repeat with remaining dough portions.
- Apply Egg Wash: Crack the egg into a small bowl, add a splash of water or milk and whisk together. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat each shaped bagel with the egg wash to help toppings adhere and provide a golden crust.
- Preheat Air Fryer & Prepare Basket: Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Air Fry Bagels: Place the bagels in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, cooking in batches if necessary. Air fry for 15 to 17 minutes until the bagels are golden brown, checking them after 10 minutes to gauge progress as cooking times may vary by model.
- Cool & Serve: Remove the bagels from the air fryer and allow them to cool for at least 15 minutes. This resting period helps the bagels set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can experiment with different toppings such as sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything seasoning for varied flavors.
- If you omit the egg wash, the crust will be less shiny but still tasty.
- Ensure your cottage cheese is well drained for best dough consistency.
- Once cooled, bagels can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- This recipe can be adapted to gluten-free flour blends for gluten-sensitive diets.
