Cottage Cheese Bagels Recipe: Easy, Gluten-Free & Air Fryer Friendly

A Protein Packed Twist on a Classic

Cottage cheese bagels take the traditional bagel and flip it on its head. Instead of relying solely on flour and yeast, these use creamy cottage cheese as the base, offering a tender crumb and a boost of protein. They’re soft on the inside, lightly crisp on the outside, and can be baked or air fried for that golden finish.

Why Cottage Cheese is a Game Changer

Cottage cheese keeps the bagels moist without adding butter or oil. It blends beautifully with almond flour or gluten-free blends. It’s a versatile hero ingredient, like in our pumpkin banana loaf unexpected, but effective.

Basic Ingredients You’ll Need

Making cottage cheese bagels doesn’t require a trip to a specialty store. At its core, the recipe uses just a handful of ingredients: cottage cheese, eggs, baking powder, and a flour of your choice. For a low-carb or gluten-free version, almond flour works beautifully, producing a soft dough with just the right bite. If you’re avoiding all types of flour, you can use oat flour or even ground flaxseed as alternatives, keeping it simple and wholesome.

Here’s a quick ingredient breakdown:

• 1 cup cottage cheese (full-fat for best texture)
• 1 egg
• 1 cup almond flour or oat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt

Step-by-Step Prep Made Easy

Start by preheating your oven or air fryer to 350°F (175°C).

Mix all ingredients in a bowl until a sticky dough forms.

With damp hands, shape the dough into bagel rounds—about 4 medium-sized ones. Place them on a lined baking tray or directly in your air fryer basket.

Bake or air fry for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown. That’s it. just mix, shape, and cook.

For a bit of variation, try topping with everything bagel seasoning, or go sweet with cinnamon and stevia. These work brilliantly for meal prep or quick morning snacks, just like our Earl Grey cookies simple, satisfying, and done fast.

Why the Air Fryer Works Wonders

If you’ve got an air fryer, then making cottage cheese bagels just got even easier and faster. The circulating hot air delivers a perfectly golden crust without drying out the inside. There’s no need to preheat for long, no oven heating up the kitchen, and cleanup is a breeze. Air frying also gives you that irresistible crisp bite while keeping the center fluffy and moist.

Quick Tips for Air Frying Success

To start, shape your dough as usual. Then spray a bit of oil on your air fryer basket or line it with parchment paper (with holes). Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 2–3 minutes. Place your shaped bagels in, leaving space for air circulation. Air fry for 12–15 minutes, flipping once at the halfway point for even browning. They’re done when they’re golden and firm to the touch.

Want that classic glossy bagel look? Brush with a beaten egg before air frying. Top with seeds or herbs to elevate the flavor. These bagels are perfect for busy mornings and store well in the fridge for up to 4 days.

For more quick ideas, check out our Breakfast category or explore how we simplify sweets like in this pumpkin banana loaf.

Gluten-Free? You’ve Got Options

Cottage cheese bagels are naturally easy to adapt for gluten-free lifestyles. Almond flour is the go-to choice it’s light, nutty, and protein-rich. But other flours like coconut flour or gluten-free oat flour work well too. Just remember that coconut flour is more absorbent, so you’ll need less of it try ¾ cup instead of a full cup, and add an extra egg to keep the dough soft.

You’ll still get that golden crust and chewy bite, without the wheat. Perfect if you’re sensitive or just skipping gluten by choice. These pair great with cream cheese, smoked salmon, or even a swipe of almond butter for a hearty snack.

No Flour at All? Yes, Really.

If you want to skip flour entirely, you can use just cottage cheese, egg, and a binder like psyllium husk, ground flaxseed, or even protein powder. The texture will be softer and more “cloud bread” like, but still totally satisfying. Use a silicone mold to help them hold their shape during baking or air frying.

These no-flour bagels are a hit in our gluten-free recipe section especially with folks who want low-carb, keto-friendly meals that don’t taste like diet food.

For more no-fuss ideas, check out our air fryer creations that make mornings smooth and flavorful.

FAQ’s

Yes, almond flour is one of the best options for these bagels. It creates a soft, slightly nutty texture and keeps the recipe gluten-free and low-carb. Just mix with cottage cheese, egg, and baking powder for a simple dough that holds together beautifully

Absolutely. The air fryer is ideal for these bagels. It delivers a crispy outer layer while keeping the inside soft and moist. Just shape, place in the basket, and cook at 350°F for about 12–15 minutes, flipping once halfway through.

They can be. By using almond flour, coconut flour, or a certified gluten-free oat flour, your bagels stay gluten-free and safe for those with sensitivities. Avoid regular wheat flour and double-check your baking powder is gluten-free to

Yes. You can replace flour with binders like ground flaxseed, psyllium husk, or unflavored protein powder. The texture will be more cloud-like, so use a mold or baking ring to keep shape. They’re perfect for ultra-low-carb diets.

Cottage Cheese Bagels

These cottage cheese bagels are soft, chewy, gluten-free, and packed with protein. Perfect for busy mornings just mix, shape, and air fry or bake in under 15 minutes!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 19 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 6 bagels

Calories 140 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 cup cottage cheese full fat works best
• 1 egg
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• Optional: everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven or air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
• In a mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, egg, almond flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Stir until a sticky dough forms.
• With damp hands, divide and shape the dough into 4 bagel rounds.
• Place on a parchment-lined tray or air fryer basket.
• Bake or air fry for 12–15 minutes until golden brown.
• Cool slightly before serving. Add toppings before baking if desired.

Notes

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Brush with egg wash before cooking for extra shine.

For flourless versions, use silicone molds to hold shape.

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 10gFat: 10gSodium: 240mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1g

Keyword Cottage Cheese Bagels

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Conclusion

For more easy, flavor-packed ideas, take a peek at our breakfast recipes or dive into the gluten-free collection that makes smart eating truly simple.