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If you've tried making bagels with greek yogurt, try making these easy 5-ingredient protein bagels with cottage cheese.

High protein breakfasts including these protein blueberry overnight oats, strawberry protein bars, and protein mug cake are my favorite way to start the morning.

Cottage cheese has been making a comeback as a food trend and I am all for it!

As a New Yorker, I know a good bagel.

While these are not quite like the bagels you can get in New York, they are pretty good given how easy they are to make.

They taste pretty similar to a store-bought bagel you can get at the grocery store, except much better because they are freshly made.

If you love cottage cheese too, you've got to try making my recipe for easy chocolate pudding.

Why you'll love this recipe:

Simple. All of the ingredients go into the bowl. You can mix by hand or in a stand mixer.
Adaptable to gluten-free diets. Simply replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1.
Great for meal prep. Once cooled, tightly wrap the bagels in an airtight container or ziplock bag for freezing. Reheating can be done in the oven or microwave.
Wholesome ingredients. No artificial additives, only wholesome components.

How much protein is in each bagel?

Each protein cottage cheese bagel contains ~ 12g of protein which comes from the protein content found in cottage cheese, eggs, and flour.

The additional protein in these bagels make it much more satisfying and filling compared to the standard store-bought bagel, which contains anywhere between 4-6g of protein.

Watch this webstory to preview the recipe

5-Ingredient Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels

Why this recipe works

The protein content in cottage cheese actually serves a functional purpose in baking.

Cottage cheese contains two main proteins: whey and casein.

Whey has been shown to improve the nutritional content of breads without significantly impacting the taste or flavor.

Whey protein can be used to improve texture, flavor, and color of breads and other baked goods.

The addition of cottage cheese in these bagels helps bind all of the ingredients together and also provides a slightly creamy taste to the final product.

everything bagels after baking — Before baking

Toppings for Bagels that are not cream cheese:

Beyond cream cheese, here are some of my favorite toppings for bagels:

mashed avocado
sliced tomatoes + balsamic glaze + black pepper
olive tapenade
Greek yogurt with honey
ricotta cheese + fresh figs

Protein-Packed Bagel Toppings:

To boost protein content, here are some additional toppings:

hummus
vegan deli meat
smoked salmon + arugula
turkey or chicken slices
turkey bacon
scrambled or fried eggs
scrambled tofu or tempeh
cottage cheese (yes, you can use more!)

Print Recipe

High Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels

If you're looking for a way to add additional protein to your bagels, try add in some cottage cheese. This recipe is simple, high in protein, and does not require any boiling for a more nutrient-dense way to enjoy a bagel.

Course: Breakfast, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: high protein breakfast, high protein recipes

Servings: bagels

Calories: 285kcal

Author: Wan Na Chun

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour or whole wheat or gluten-free mix
2 teaspoons baking powder make sure it’s not expired or it won’t rise
½ teaspoon kosher salt use less if using table salt
1 cup 2% cottage cheese excess liquid strained
1 large egg beaten
everything bagel seasoning sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic flakes, dried onion flakes

Instructions

Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and kosher salt until thoroughly combined.
Add Cottage Cheese and Egg:
Add the strained cottage cheese and beaten egg to the dry ingredients. Mix the ingredients using a spatula or your hands until a dough forms.
Knead the Dough:
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for around 2-3 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Cover with bowl and allow dough to rest for 15-30 mins to allow for the gluten to relax.
Shape the Bagels:
Divide the dough into equal portions to create the desired number of bagels (usually makes 4-6 bagels). Roll each portion into a ball, then press your thumb through the center to create a hole. Gently shape the hole to form a bagel shape. Place the shaped bagels onto the prepared baking sheet.
Egg Wash and Seasoning:
Brush the tops of the bagels with the beaten egg to provide a shiny finish. Sprinkle the everything bagel seasoning generously over the egg-washed tops.
Bake the Bagels:
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the bagels for approximately 25-30 minutes. They should turn golden brown and develop a slightly crispy exterior.
Cool and Enjoy:
Once baked, remove the bagels from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. After they have cooled enough to handle, slice them and savor your high-protein cottage cheese bagels with your preferred spreads or toppings!

Notes

Salt Adjustment: If you're using table salt instead of kosher salt, consider using slightly less, as table salt is denser. Adjust to taste.

Cottage Cheese Consistency: Strain the cottage cheese to remove excess liquid. This prevents the bagel dough from becoming too wet and sticky.

Bagel Shaping: When shaping the bagels, make sure to stretch the holes wide enough as they'll shrink during baking. You can use your fingers to gently shape and stretch the holes.

Egg Wash Shine: The beaten egg gives the bagels a shiny appearance after baking. It also helps the everything bagel seasoning adhere to the surface.

Cooling for Texture: Allow the baked bagels to cool on a wire rack before slicing. This helps maintain their texture and prevents excess moisture from accumulating inside.

Toppings and Spreads: These high-protein bagels are versatile and can be enjoyed with a variety of toppings and spreads. Cream cheese, avocado, smoked salmon, or almond butter are just a few ideas.

Storage: Store any leftover bagels in an airtight container or resealable bag in the freezer for the best way to store these. To thaw, place in the oven or toaster until heated through.

Nutrition

These bagels would be great with my raw zucchini salad on top for a light lunch, with your favorite all natural peanut butter and jelly, or with any cream cheese flavor.

These no fuss, no-boil, easy protein cottage cheese bagels are a fun way to add some additional protein into your day.

If they can convince a New Yorker, they sure are worth giving a try.

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