Protein Bagels With Cottage Cheese

These Protein Bagels are made with Cottage Cheese or Greek yogurt, so easy to make and packed with nutrients. With 9 grams of protein and only 150 calories per bagel, they’re perfect for a healthy breakfast or snack. Made with zero fat, they’re light, satisfying, and a great addition to your meal prep routine.

Cals: 150 | Protein: 9g  | Carbs: 27g 

A stack of golden, sesame seed-topped protein bagels sits on a decorative plate, with a blurred white mug and pitcher in the background.

Cottage Cheese Bagels (High Protein)

Ana Frias Portrait

Bagels are a classic favorite, but what if they could double as a protein-packed treat?

Homemade protein bagels combine the deliciousness of traditional bagels with the nutritional punch of added protein, making them a perfect option for anyone seeking healthier choices without sacrificing taste. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or just someone looking for convenient, nutritious snacks, protein bagels are an excellent choice.

Protein bagels aren’t just tasty—they’re a powerhouse of nutrients. Regular bagels are rich in carbs but often lack protein. By adding protein powder or high-protein ingredients, you can enjoy a more balanced option that keeps you fuller for longer. These bagels are ideal for post-workout recovery, busy mornings, or even as part of a meal prep routine.

🩷 xoxo, Ana

Bowl of flour, egg with pepper in a dish, baking powder, cottage cheese in a cup, sesame seeds, and a striped towel on a gray surface.

Ingredients notes

  • Non-fat cottage cheese or nonfat plain Greek yogurt
  • All-purpose flour – You could also use a high protein flour if available.
  • Baking powder and kosher salt
  • Egg yolk to brush the bagels before baking. This gives this beautiful texture on the outsides.
  • For toppings: Sesame seeds, poppy seeds or your favorite bagel seasoning.

**A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

How To Make Protein Bagels

1) Start by preheating the oven to 400° F (or 205°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

A hand holds a container of whipped ricotta cheese with a spatula, surrounded by bowls of flour, sugar, and an egg on a light surface.

2) Puree the cottage cheese in a small blender (like magic bullet) or use an immersion blender. The consistency should be like ricotta cheese.

A white bowl with flour and ricotta cheese, next to a small bowl holding a cracked egg with pepper. A striped cloth and part of a ceramic dish are also visible on a gray countertop.

3) In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the blended cottage cheese and mix all ingredients with a spatula or your hands.

A white bowl with crumbly dough, a small bowl with a cracked egg, salt, and pepper, a striped towel, and a gray plate on a gray countertop.

The consistency will be lumpy.

A round ball of dough sits on a wooden surface next to a folded gray and white striped cloth.

4) Transfer to a clean surface and knead for a couple of minutes until all ingredients are mixed and dough is formed.

Four dough quarters are arranged in a circle on a wooden surface next to a metal bench scraper and a striped kitchen towel.

Divide into 4 equal portions.

Four pieces of dough in different shapes on a wooden surface, with a metal bench scraper and a striped towel nearby.

Form the rope – Using your hands, roll each ball by pressing the center and gently apply pressure outward as you roll to create an even rope. Adjust thickness – Ensure the rope is uniform in thickness along its length to make a balanced bagel shape.

These ropes will then be shaped into bagels by connecting the ends or wrapping them around your hand before sealing.

A hand brushes egg wash onto an unbaked ring-shaped dough on a baking tray with parchment paper. Three other dough rings and a small bowl of sesame seeds are nearby.

Transfer bagels to a baking sheet and brush with the whisked egg yolk. Top with sesame or poppy seeds or your favorite bagel seasoning.

Four golden brown, homemade protein bagels topped with sesame seeds sit on a round wire cooling rack, with a small bowl of sesame seeds and a striped cloth nearby.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until firm and golden brown. Transfer to cooling rack and allow to cool before eating or slicing it. Enjoy!

Ana’s Recipe Tips

  • Use Dry Cottage Cheese: If your cottage cheese is too watery, drain it using a cheesecloth or fine-mesh sieve before adding it to the dough. Excess moisture can make the dough too sticky.
  • If using Greek yogurt for your liquid choice, be aware that you may need more flour when rolling your dough as it may get sticky. 
  • The best texture is achieved when rolling the dough into a rope then connecting the ends, vs. Making a ball and poking a hole in the middle. 
  • If you get air pockets when rolling the dough into a rope, just squeeze the air out and continue making the rope gently. 
  • Use Parchment Paper: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Toppings: Sprinkle sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything bagel seasoning before baking if desired. Press the toppings gently onto the dough to help them stick.
  • Storing
    • At Room Temperature: Place the bagels in a paper bag or wrap them loosely in a clean kitchen towel. This prevents them from getting too soft while maintaining freshness.
    • Add a Layer of Protection: If you live in a humid area, put the paper bag inside a plastic bag to prevent the bagels from drying out.
    • Medium-Term Storage (Up to 1 Week)
    • Refrigeration: Place the bagels in an airtight plastic bag or container before refrigerating. Note that refrigeration can make bagels harder, so reheat them before serving.
A protein bagel sandwich filled with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and sliced deli meat, topped with microgreens, sits on a decorative plate. More bagels and green ivy are blurred in the background.
Easy cottage cheese bagels

Final Thoughts

I think non-fat cottage cheese or non-fat Greek yogurt are game-changing ingredients when it comes to adding protein to baked goods. These protein-rich dairy products not only boost the nutritional content of your bagels but also contribute to their texture and flavor.

Currently I’m enjoying them for as a post workout snack along with a protein shake. This combo is perfect!

Needless to say, I’ll be making my own protein bagels at home from now on. Can’t wait to add other flavors and textures. Blueberry or cinnamon bagels next? Endless possibilities!

A protein bagel sandwich with lettuce, tomato, avocado, turkey slices, and microgreens sits on a decorative plate, with more bagels blurred in the background.

Print Recipe:

A stack of golden, sesame seed-topped protein bagels sits on a decorative plate, with a blurred white mug and pitcher in the background.

Protein Bagels

These Protein Bagels are a made with Greek yogurt or cottage cheese and only 3 main ingredients! With 9 grams of protein and 150 calories per bagel they're deliciously healthy!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4 bagels
Author: Ana Frias

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup non-fat Greek yogurt or non-fat cottage cheese (1 cup = 227 grams)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (1 cup = 120g)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 egg yolk (to brush the bagel) - whisked
  • Sesame seeds, poppy seeds or your favorite bagel seasoning.

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400° F (or 205°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Puree the cottage cheese in a small blender (like magic bullet) or use an immersion blender. The consistency should be like ricotta cheese.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the blended cottage cheese and mix all ingredients with a spatula or your hands. The consistency will be lumpy.
  • Transfer to a clean surface and knead for a couple of minutes until all ingredients are mixed and dough is formed. Divide into 4 equal portions.
  • Form the rope – Using your hands, roll each ball by pressing the center and gently apply pressure outward as you roll to create an even rope. Adjust thickness – Ensure the rope is uniform in thickness along its length to make a balanced bagel shape. (See note #1)
  • These ropes will then be shaped into bagels by connecting the ends or wrapping them around your hand before sealing.
  • Transfer bagels to a baking sheet and brush with the whisked egg. Top with sesame or poppy seeds or your favorite bagel seasoning.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until firm and golden brown. Transfer to cooling rack and allow to cool before eating or slicing it. Enjoy!

Notes

  1. If using Greek yogurt for your liquid choice, be aware that you may need more flour when rolling your dough as it may get sticky. 
  2. The best texture is achieved when rolling the dough into a rope then connecting the ends, vs. Making a ball and poking a hole in the middle. 
  3. If you get air pockets when rolling the dough into a rope, just squeeze the air out and continue making the rope gently. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1bagel | Calories: 150kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 9g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 495mg | Potassium: 110mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g

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