Cottage Cheese Bagels

These Cottage Cheese Bagels are soft, chewy, and subtly tangy—made with cottage cheese, eggs, flour, and optional seasonings. An easy, protein-packed twist on traditional bagels, ready in under an hour.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• High in protein & satisfying – cottage cheese and eggs provide a nutritious boost

• Chewy texture – similar to classic bagels without kneading or yeast

• Quick & easy – mixes and bakes fast

• Customizable – add herbs, cheese, or spices for extra flavor

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 1½ cups cottage cheese (4% milkfat or low-fat)

• 2 large eggs

• 1¾ cups self-rising flour

• ¼ tsp salt (optional)

• Optional mix-ins or toppings:

  • ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or Parmesan)

  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (chives, rosemary, or dill)

  • 1 tsp garlic powder or onion powder

  • Sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or coarse salt for topping

directions

1. Preheat oven
   Preheat to 375 °F (190 °C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Blend base ingredients
   In a food processor or large bowl, combine cottage cheese, eggs, self-rising flour, and salt. Blend or stir until a sticky dough forms. If too wet, add a few more tablespoons of flour.

3. Add mix‑ins
   Fold in any desired cheese or herbs until evenly distributed.

4. Shape bagels
   Divide dough into 6–8 even portions. Roll each into a ball, then press a hole in the center to form bagel shapes. Arrange on the sheet about 2″ apart.

5. Top & prep
   Brush each with a little extra egg or water, then sprinkle with seeds or seasoning as desired.

6. Bake
   Bake 18–22 minutes until tops are golden and firm. If needed, rotate halfway for even baking.

7. Cool
   Let bagels cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 6–8 bagels

• Prep time: 10 minutes

• Bake time: 18–22 minutes

• Total time: ~30 minutes

Variations

• Whole-grain: Replace ½ cup of self-rising flour with whole-wheat or oat flour

• Sweet version: Add 2 tbsp sugar and top with cinnamon-sugar blend

• Savory twist: Mix in sun-dried tomato bits, olives, or diced jalapeño

• Everything bagel: Top with everything bagel seasoning blend

• Egg-free wash: Skip brushing and sprinkle toppings directly for a lighter top

storage/reheating

• Room temperature: Store in a sealed bag or container for 1–2 days

• Refrigerator: Keeps up to 5 days—slice and toast before serving

• Freezing: Wrap individually and freeze up to 2 months—thaw and toast

• Reheat: Toast bagels directly from room temperature or frozen until crisp outside and soft inside

FAQs

Are these bagels gluten-free?

No—as written, they contain wheat flour. Substitute with a gluten-free self-rising flour blend to make them GF.

Can I skip the food processor?

Yes—mix by hand until a uniform, slightly sticky dough forms. It takes a bit more effort but works fine.

Do they taste like traditional boiled bagels?

They’re softer and chewier, but without yeast and boiling, they have a lighter texture.

Can I make mini bagels?

Definitely—divide the dough into more portions and reduce baking time by a few minutes.

Can I make them dairy-free?

Use dairy-free cottage cheese or blend firm tofu with a splash of plant milk.

Can I add seeds into the dough?

Yes—fold in 2 tbsp of seeds (e.g. chia, flax, or sesame) for extra texture.

How do I prevent soggy centers?

Ensure dough isn’t over-moist and bake fully until firm; let cool slightly before slicing.

Can I use baking powder and baking soda instead?

Yes—combine 1½ tsp baking powder + ½ tsp baking soda instead of relying on self-rising flour.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes—use two baking sheets and monitor bake time; rotate mid-bake if needed.

Can I make these egg-free?

Eggs help bind. For egg-free, use flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg), though texture may be denser.

Conclusion

These Cottage Cheese Bagels are a quick, yeast-free way to enjoy warm, chewy bagels at home. With a nutrient boost from cottage cheese and endless flavor variations, they’re a satisfying breakfast or snack that’s both easy and delicious.