Description

These Fluffy 3-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Bagels are a delicious and simple homemade alternative to traditional bagels. Made with just cottage cheese, self-rising flour, and baking powder, these bagels are soft, light, and packed with protein. They’re easy to prepare in under an hour and perfect for a nutritious breakfast or snack topped with your favorite spreads or seasoning blends.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1 cup + 2 tablespoons self-rising flour (preferably King Arthur self-rising flour)
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

1 1/4 cups full-fat cottage cheese (for best texture)
1 large egg

Toppings

Seasoning blend (such as everything bagel seasoning), to taste

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Instructions

Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the self-rising flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, and salt until well combined.
Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the large egg and then mix in the cottage cheese until the mixture is fairly smooth with some curds remaining for texture.
Form the dough: Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until a soft, sticky dough forms. Use your hands to knead gently within the bowl until all the ingredients are incorporated and the dough becomes pliable.
Shape the bagels: Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball, then poke a hole through the center with your finger and gently stretch to form a bagel shape.
Apply seasoning: If using seasoning blends like everything bagel seasoning, sprinkle or press the seasoning onto the top surface of each bagel for extra flavor.
Bake the bagels: Place the formed bagels on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the bagels are golden brown and cooked through.
Cool and serve: Remove the bagels from the oven and allow to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy them warm with your favorite spreads or toppings.

Notes

Full-fat cottage cheese is recommended for the best texture; low-fat versions may result in drier bagels.
Self-rising flour contains baking powder and salt, so don’t add extra leavening agents if substituting with all-purpose flour.
The bagels are best eaten fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.
Customize toppings with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or coarse salt if you prefer over store-bought seasoning blends.
For a dairy-free version, consider substituting cottage cheese with a vegan cream cheese, but texture may vary.