High-Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels with Only 3 Ingredients

Skipping yeast entirely and using baking powder instead is what gets these done in 25 minutes instead of the hours a traditional bagel dough needs to proof. Kneading briefly, just 1-2 minutes until smooth, keeps the texture light — cottage cheese dough turns tough fast if you overwork it the way you might with a yeasted dough.

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup + 2 tbsp cottage cheese (2% or 4%)
• 1 egg, for egg wash
• Pinch of salt (optional)
• Toppings: everything seasoning, poppy seeds, or sesame seeds

• Flour: whole wheat or a 1:1 gluten-free blend both work.
• Cottage cheese: 2% or 4% both work; higher fat gives a slightly richer dough.
• Oven method: bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes if you don’t have an air fryer.
• Dough too wet: add flour a tablespoon at a time until it’s workable.

1. Mix the dry ingredients. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt (if using) in a medium bowl.
2. Add the cottage cheese. Make a well in the center and add the cottage cheese. Mix with a fork or sturdy spatula until a shaggy, chunky dough forms.
3. Knead briefly. Turn the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead 1-2 minutes, just until smooth. Add more flour if it’s sticky.
4. Shape. Divide into 4 equal pieces. Roll each into a log about 6-7 inches long and ¾ inch thick, then press the ends together to form a ring.
5. Top. Whisk the egg with a splash of water, brush it over each bagel, and sprinkle with your chosen toppings.
6. Air fry. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Line the basket with parchment or lightly grease it, add the bagels, and cook about 15 minutes, checking at the 10-minute mark for a golden brown finish.

• Bagels turn out dense — almost always from overkneading. 1-2 minutes is enough; more than that toughens the dough.
• Bagels stay pale even after cooking — check that your air fryer is actually reaching 350°F; a lower setting won’t brown them properly in the time given.
• Toppings fall off — this happens when the egg wash is skipped or applied too thin. Brush it on generously right before adding toppings.
• Dough too sticky to shape — add flour a tablespoon at a time rather than dumping in a large amount, which can dry the dough out too much.

• Let the bagels cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing — this sets the crumb so they don’t gum up when cut.
• Keep your hands well-floured while shaping to prevent sticking.
• If your air fryer basket is small, cook in batches so air can circulate properly around each bagel.

• Spread with herb cream cheese for a savory bite.
• Top with smashed avocado and red pepper flakes.
• Add smoked salmon and capers.
• Serve with a side of fresh fruit for a balanced breakfast.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Reheat by thawing overnight if frozen, then warming in the air fryer at 330°F or toasting.

Can I taste the cottage cheese in the finished bagels?
No, it blends in completely once cooked, leaving moisture and protein behind but a neutral bagel flavor.

Do I need to blend the cottage cheese first?
No, unless you want a perfectly smooth dough. The curds as-is are fine and add to the rustic texture.

Are these gluten-free?
Yes, if you swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.

Can I double this recipe?
Yes, just double every ingredient and follow the same steps — you may need to cook in two batches depending on your air fryer size.

What temperature should I actually use for the air fryer?
350°F. A lower setting risks leaving the bagels pale and slightly underdone in the same amount of time.

How long do these actually keep in the fridge?
3 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze them instead. For another quick, protein-forward breakfast that keeps well, the cottage cheese breakfast rounds follow a similar timeline.

If you liked the simple base here, the cottage cheese breakfast tacos use the same ingredient in a completely different way. For a grab-and-go option with a similar short ingredient list, try the protein waffles. Want something sweet instead of savory? The blueberry cottage cheese muffins are worth trying next. And for another wrap-and-go breakfast, the cottage cheese and avocado wrap comes together just as fast.

The first time I made these, I set my air fryer to a lower temperature to be careful, and the bagels came out pale and a little gummy in the center even after the full cook time. Now I always preheat to 350°F, and they come out properly golden and cooked through every time.