Golden Viral Cottage Cheese Bagels Recipe
Introduction
These Golden Viral Cottage Cheese Bagels have taken social media by storm—and for good reason. They use cottage cheese in the dough for a chewy, protein-packed bagel that’s ready in under 30 minutes without any yeast or rising time. Perfect for a quick, homemade breakfast that feels special.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 egg (whisked for egg wash)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon dried onion flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
- Step 2: Blend the cottage cheese in a food processor or blender for 1-2 minutes until completely smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Step 3: Add the blended cottage cheese to the dry ingredients and stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
- Step 4: Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a ball. Poke your thumb through the center and stretch gently to form a bagel shape with a 1-1.5 inch hole. Place on a parchment-lined tray or air fryer basket.
- Step 5: Whisk the half egg until golden. Brush each bagel with the egg wash, then sprinkle sesame seeds and dried onion flakes on top. Press seeds gently to adhere.
- Step 6: Preheat your air fryer to 300°F. Place bagels in a single layer and air fry for 13 minutes until light golden and cooked through. They should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Tips & Variations
- Blend cottage cheese until smooth for the best dough texture and avoid lumps.
- Try a 50/50 mix of all-purpose and whole wheat flour for extra fiber without dense bagels.
- Swap sesame seeds for everything bagel seasoning, poppy seeds, or garlic flakes for different flavors.
- Use milk or melted butter instead of egg wash for a lighter crust, though browning will be less intense.
- If you don’t have baking powder, mix 1 tsp baking soda with 2 tsp cream of tartar as a substitute.
Storage
Store bagels in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze bagels (sliced in half) individually wrapped and placed in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Toast directly from frozen for best results.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use low-fat cottage cheese for this recipe?
Yes, low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese will work fine, though full-fat gives a richer flavor and better texture.
Do I have to use an air fryer to cook these bagels?
No, you can bake them in a conventional oven at 300°F for about 15-20 minutes until golden and cooked through. Just keep an eye on them to avoid drying out.
PrintGolden Viral Cottage Cheese Bagels Recipe
These Golden Viral Cottage Cheese Bagels are a quick and easy yeast-free bagel recipe featuring cottage cheese for a high-protein, chewy texture. Air-fried to a perfect golden finish, these bagels come together in under 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients, making them ideal for busy mornings or a healthier homemade breakfast alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 4 bagels 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
For the dough
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup cottage cheese
For the topping
- 1/2 egg (whisked well to create a golden, shiny crust)
- 1 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp dried onion flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents, giving your bagels a light, tender crumb. Set aside.
- Blend the Cottage Cheese Until Smooth: Pour the cottage cheese into a blender or food processor and blend for 1-2 minutes until creamy and lump-free. This step is vital for a uniform dough texture.
- Mix the Dough: Add the blended cottage cheese to the dry ingredients and stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until a shaggy, slightly sticky dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the bagels tender.
- Shape the Bagels: Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each into a ball, poke a hole through the middle with your thumb, and gently stretch to form bagels with a 1-1.5 inch hole. Place the shaped bagels on a parchment-lined tray or air fryer basket.
- Egg Wash and Seed the Bagels: Whisk 1/2 egg in a small bowl and brush each bagel thoroughly to promote browning and seed adhesion. Sprinkle sesame seeds and dried onion flakes over the wet wash, pressing seeds gently into the surface.
- Air Fry Until Golden: Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Arrange bagels in a single layer, working in batches if needed. Air fry for 13 minutes until light golden brown and cooked through; they should sound hollow when tapped.
Notes
- Use any type of cottage cheese; full-fat yields richer flavor and better texture.
- If using large curd cottage cheese and want smoother dough, blend it thoroughly before mixing.
- You can substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor, but avoid using 100% whole wheat to prevent density.
- Instead of baking powder, combine 1 tsp baking soda with 2 tsp cream of tartar as a substitute.
- Alternative toppings include everything bagel seasoning, poppy seeds, garlic flakes, or coarse sea salt.
- If skipping egg wash, brush with milk or melted butter, though the crust won’t brown as nicely.
- Do not overwork the dough to keep bagels light and fluffy.
- Store bagels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freeze bagels for up to 3 months; slice before freezing for easy toasting.
- Toast frozen bagels directly without thawing for best results.
Keywords: cottage cheese bagels, yeast-free bagels, air fryer bagels, high protein breakfast, quick bagel recipe, healthy bagels
