3 Ingredient Cottage Cheese Bagels (Easy, High Protein, No Yeast)

Okay, so I have to tell you about the morning I made these 3 ingredient cottage cheese bagels and genuinely could not believe how well they turned out.

It was a Tuesday. Jessica had a swim meet and I had about 40 minutes before we needed to leave. I wanted something filling for both of us, something with actual protein, not just a piece of toast that would leave her starving by 9am. I remembered seeing a simple bagel idea using cottage cheese and figured, why not?

Thirty minutes later, we had warm, golden bagels sitting on the counter. Jessica looked skeptical. She took one bite, grabbed a second bagel, and said "Mom, these are actually really good." That is a full endorsement from a 12-year-old who would happily eat cereal for every meal.

These bagels use just self-rising flour, full-fat cottage cheese, and one egg. That is it. No yeast, no rising time, no mixer, no complicated steps. They come together in about 30 minutes, and they are soft with a slightly chewy bite that honestly feels like a real bagel. If you are already a fan of easy cottage cheese bread recipes, you will want to check out these cottage cheese protein bagels too, they follow a similar idea and are just as simple to throw together on a busy morning.

Why You Will Like This Recipe

• Ready in just 30 minutes from start to finish
• Only 3 simple ingredients that you probably already have
• No yeast needed, so no waiting around for dough to rise
• Each bagel has about 18 grams of protein thanks to the cottage cheese
• Works in both the oven and the air fryer
• Easy to customize with your choice of toppings

Ingredients for These 3 Ingredient Cottage Cheese Bagels

• 1 cup self-rising flour (plus a little extra for kneading)
• 16 ounces full-fat cottage cheese
• 1 egg, beaten (for brushing on top)

Optional toppings: everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or flaky salt.

A quick note on the cottage cheese: I always use full-fat here. It gives the dough a better texture and the bagels turn out softer. I tried a low-fat version once and the dough was a bit dry and crumbly. So trust me on that one.

If you do not have self-rising flour on hand, you can make your own by mixing 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1.5 teaspoons of baking powder and a pinch of salt.

How to Make 3 Ingredient Cottage Cheese Bagels

Oven Method

Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 C) and move the rack to the top position. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step really matters because the bagels will stick without it.

Step 2: Blend the Cottage Cheese

Add the 16 ounces of cottage cheese to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Pause a couple of times to scrape down the sides. This takes about 30 to 60 seconds. The cottage cheese should look creamy with no visible curds. Transfer it to a medium mixing bowl.

Step 3: Mix the Dough

Add the 1 cup of self-rising flour to the bowl with the blended cottage cheese. Stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until the dough starts pulling away from the sides of the bowl. It will look shaggy at first, and that is totally fine.

Step 4: Knead and Shape

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it 8 to 10 times until it becomes smooth. The dough should feel tacky but not sticky. If it is sticking to your hands, add a tiny bit more flour.

Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then roll it into a rope about 6 to 7 inches long. Join the ends of each rope together and pinch tightly to seal the circle. Place each bagel on your prepared baking sheet.

Step 5: Egg Wash and Bake

Brush the top of each bagel with the beaten egg. Add any toppings you like at this point. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the bagels are puffed up and deep golden brown on top. Let them cool for a few minutes before slicing.

Air Fryer Method

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Blend the cottage cheese until smooth, then combine with the flour in a bowl. Knead on a floured surface 8 to 10 times until smooth. Shape into 4 ropes, join the ends, and pinch to seal.

Step 2: Air Fry

Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper. Brush each bagel with the beaten egg and add any toppings. Air fry at 350 degrees F (175 C) for 9 to 11 minutes until golden brown and puffed. Let cool slightly before cutting.

Storage and Reheating

These bagels keep well at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap them individually and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

To reheat, pop them in the toaster or toast them cut-side down in a skillet for a minute or two. They taste really good toasted with a little butter or cream cheese on top.

You can also freeze these. Wrap each bagel in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Let them thaw at room temperature or reheat straight from frozen in the toaster oven at 350 F for about 10 minutes.

Tips and Variations for Your Cottage Cheese Bagel Recipe

Making these a few times taught me a couple of things I wish I had known from the start.

• Do not skip blending the cottage cheese. I tried just mixing it in once, thinking it would be fine. The dough was lumpy and the texture was off. Blending it smooth makes a real difference.
• Pinch those ends tightly. If the seam is not sealed well, the bagels can open up while baking. Press firmly and give it a little twist.
• Have fun with toppings. Everything bagel seasoning is my personal go-to. Jessica likes sesame seeds. Alex asked me once why I do not do cinnamon sugar on top, and honestly, I have not tried it yet but I think it would be great for a sweeter version.
• Want to make these gluten-free? Swap the self-rising flour for a gluten-free self-rising blend. I have tried this with a couple of different brands and it works well, though the texture is slightly denser.
• Can you double the recipe? Yes, and I recommend it. These bagels go fast. When I make a double batch on Sunday, we eat them all week.

Want to try a different twist on these? The cottage cheese bagels with almond flour version is a great lower-carb option that uses the same basic method.

Frequently Asked Questions About 3 Ingredient Cottage Cheese Bagels

Recipes You May Like

• Cottage cheese flatbread - another simple, protein-packed bread option that comes together with just a few ingredients and works great for wraps or as a pizza base
• Cottage cheese pancakes - fluffy, light, and filling, perfect for weekend mornings when you have a few extra minutes
• Cottage cheese wrap recipe - a quick lunch idea that pairs really well with these bagels if you are looking for more easy meal ideas

Wrapping Up

These 3 ingredient cottage cheese bagels have become a regular in our house, and I think once you try them, you will get why. They are quick, filling, and so much better than anything I used to grab from the store on a rushed morning.

The fact that they are made with real, simple ingredients and pack that much protein into one bagel is just a bonus. Give them a try this week and let me know how they turn out in the comments below. I read every single one.

And if you make these, please save this recipe to Pinterest so you can find it again easily!

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