Description

These Fluffy 3-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Bagels are a quick and easy homemade bagel recipe perfect for a healthy breakfast or snack. Made with cottage cheese, self-rising flour, and baking powder, these bagels are soft, light, and flavorful. Topped with an everything bagel seasoning blend, they offer a delicious, savory twist on traditional bagels with minimal ingredients and effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Bagel Dough

1 1/4 cups full-fat cottage cheese
1 cup + 2 tablespoons self-rising flour (King Arthur recommended)
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

For Topping

1 large egg (for egg wash)
Seasoning blend (e.g., everything bagel seasoning)
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to preheat while you prepare the bagel dough. This ensures that the bagels bake evenly and get a nice golden crust.
Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons self-rising flour and 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder. Stir these together to distribute the leavening agent evenly.
Add cottage cheese: Add 1 1/4 cups of full-fat cottage cheese to the dry mixture. Use a fork or your hands to mix until a dough forms. The dough will be slightly sticky but manageable.
Shape the bagels: Lightly flour your work surface, then divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball, then poke a hole through the center with your finger, stretching it gently to form a bagel shape.
Prepare egg wash: Beat 1 large egg in a small bowl. Brush each bagel generously with the egg wash to help them brown beautifully and hold the toppings.
Add toppings: Sprinkle your seasoning blend, such as everything bagel seasoning, evenly over the egg-washed bagels. You may also lightly sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt if desired for added flavor contrast.
Bake: Place the bagels on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until golden and puffed.
Cool and serve: Remove the bagels from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy them fresh or toasted with your favorite spread.

Notes

Using full-fat cottage cheese gives the best texture and flavor for the bagels.
If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can substitute all-purpose flour with added baking powder and salt; use 1 cup flour + 1 1/2 tsp baking powder + 1/4 tsp salt combined.
The dough can be sticky, so lightly flour your hands and work surface when shaping the bagels.
For a vegan version, try using dairy-free cottage cheese alternatives and egg substitutes for the wash.
Store leftover bagels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.