Description
Protein-packed bagels showcase cottage cheese’s magic in a healthier breakfast revolution. Crisp exterior and tender crumb make these homemade bagels a delightful morning companion you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein Bagels With Cottage Cheese Recipe
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 ml) unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (227 grams) 2% cottage cheese
- 1 egg white
Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons (10 grams) baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon (4 grams) kosher salt
Optional Toppings:
- everything bagel seasoning
- sesame seeds
- poppy seeds
- dried garlic flakes
- dried onion flakes
Instructions
- In a spacious mixing vessel, combine unbleached flour, baking powder, and kosher salt. Thoroughly whisk the dry ingredients until uniformly blended, creating a consistent base for your protein-rich bagels.
- Integrate well-strained cottage cheese into the dry mixture. Use a fork or spatula to blend until the mixture develops a crumbly texture, ensuring even distribution of the cheese throughout the dough.
- Transition to hand-kneading, working the mixture until it transforms into a cohesive, smooth dough. Continue kneading for approximately two minutes, achieving a tacky consistency that holds together without sticking to your hands.
- Portion the dough into four equal segments. Shape each portion into a 3/4-inch thick rope, connecting the ends to form circular bagel shapes or creating a ball with a central hole by gently stretching the dough.
- Prepare an egg wash and generously brush each bagel’s surface. Liberally sprinkle with preferred seasonings like everything bagel mix, sesame seeds, or a blend of dried herbs and spices for added flavor complexity.
- For air frying, lightly oil the basket and arrange bagels without overcrowding. Cook at 280F for 15-16 minutes until they develop a golden-brown exterior. No mid-cooking rotation is required.
- Alternatively, preheat the oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, lightly spraying with oil to prevent adhesion. Position bagels on the top rack and bake for 25 minutes until achieving a perfect golden finish.
- After cooking, allow bagels to rest and cool for a minimum of 15 minutes. This crucial cooling period helps the bagels set, ensuring structural integrity and making slicing more manageable.
- Once completely cooled, slice and serve. Enjoy these protein-packed bagels with your favorite spreads or as a versatile base for sandwiches and morning meals.
Notes
- Strain cottage cheese thoroughly to prevent excess moisture, ensuring a perfect dough consistency and preventing soggy bagels.
- Customize seasonings creatively by mixing herbs, spices, or nutritional yeast to boost flavor and nutritional value without compromising texture.
- For a meal prep option, store cooled bagels in an airtight container or freeze individually wrapped for quick, protein-packed breakfasts or snacks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 155
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 1.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 2mg