Soft Cottage Cheese Bagels (Printable)

Soft, high-protein bagels made with cottage cheese and self-rising flour for an easy breakfast or snack.

# What You Need:

→ Dough

01 - 1 cup cottage cheese, full-fat or low-fat
02 - 1½ cups self-rising flour

→ Toppings

03 - 1 egg, beaten for egg wash
04 - 2 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, or poppy seeds

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese and self-rising flour, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.
03 - Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead gently for 1 to 2 minutes until smooth, avoiding overworking.
04 - Divide dough into 4 equal portions. Roll each portion into a rope, form into a bagel shape, and pinch the ends together to seal.
05 - Place bagels on the prepared baking sheet. Brush tops with beaten egg and sprinkle with desired toppings.
06 - Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
07 - Remove from oven and let bagels cool slightly before slicing and serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're ready in 30 minutes flat, making them perfect for mornings when you forgot to plan ahead.
  • Each bagel packs 11g of protein, so they keep you satisfied way longer than regular bread.
  • The texture is genuinely chewy and tender—no dense, gummy disappointments here.
  • You probably already have the main ingredients in your kitchen right now.
02 -
  • Do not skip the parchment paper—cottage cheese dough loves to stick, and parchment is the easiest solution without adding extra flour that can dry them out.
  • If your dough feels too wet and sticky after mixing, add just 1 tablespoon more self-rising flour at a time, but resist the urge to go overboard or they'll become dense.
  • Cottage cheese brands vary wildly in moisture content, so the dough consistency might surprise you if you switch brands—adjust flour amounts slightly if needed.
03 -
  • Pinch those bagel seams really firmly so they don't pop open during baking and lose their characteristic hole.
  • If you don't have an egg for washing, brush the tops with a little milk or melted butter for a similar golden finish.
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