High-protein bagels with cottage cheese? I thought it was a kitchen fantasy—until these Cottage Cheese Bagels with Almond Flour came out of my oven! Soft in the middle, golden-crisp on top, and absolutely nothing like those dense, cardboard-y gluten-free alternatives we’ve all suffered through.
Let me share something from my heart: breakfast used to be my kitchen nemesis. Between getting the kids ready and my own morning rush, I’d usually grab something quick that left me hungry an hour later. Then one cozy Sunday morning, with my grandmother’s words about “good food being worth the effort” echoing in my mind, I started experimenting—just like I did when creating our Sourdough Discard Bagels. These Cottage Cheese Bagels with Almond Flour were born from that kitchen play session—and they’ve completely transformed our family breakfasts!
What makes me extra thrilled about these bagels is how they bring together simplicity and nutrition. Each one packs 13 grams of protein and only 5 net carbs, making them perfect for anyone watching their carb intake or managing blood sugar levels. They’re substantial enough to fuel your morning but won’t weigh you down. Trust me—once you try these, regular bagels might just lose their appeal!
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Blew Me Away
There’s something magical about finding a recipe that feels like it shouldn’t work—but absolutely does. These Cottage Cheese Bagels with Almond Flour surprised me in the best possible way:
- No yeast or complicated kneading—just mix, shape, and bake!
- Each bagel delivers a whopping 13 grams of protein to keep you satisfied
- The texture is amazingly similar to traditional bagels despite being gluten-free
- They’re ready in just 25 minutes from start to finish
- Perfect for meal prep—make once, enjoy all week!
- That everything bagel seasoning on top creates the most mouthwatering aroma in your kitchen
These are the kind of recipes that make healthy eating feel like a joy rather than a chore. When my 7-year-old asks for “those special bagels,” I know we’ve hit on something truly wonderful!
Let’s Talk Ingredients
Almond Flour: This is the heart of our gluten-free bagels—I’ve found that finely ground varieties work best for that perfect texture.
Cottage Cheese: The secret star! It adds incredible moisture and protein while keeping the bagels tender inside. I prefer the full-fat kind for the richest flavor.
Egg: Just one egg works as the perfect binder, helping our bagels hold their shape beautifully.
Baking Powder: This gives our bagels their lovely rise without needing yeast or wait time—a morning miracle!
Salt: Don’t skip this! It balances the flavors and makes the nutty almond flour really shine.
Everything But the Bagel Seasoning: This magical mix brings that authentic bagel shop experience right to your kitchen—I always sprinkle extra on mine!
Let’s Make Magic!
Step 1: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper—this prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Here’s my time-saving trick—throw your cottage cheese into a blender first and blend until smooth. This prevents any lumps and gives your bagels that perfect texture.
Step 3: Add the remaining ingredients (except the everything bagel seasoning) to your blender. Pulse until the mixture comes together into a beautiful, slightly sticky dough.
Step 4: If your dough feels too sticky to handle, don’t panic! Simply dust your hands with a little extra almond flour. This happens sometimes depending on your cottage cheese brand.
Step 5: Turn your dough onto a clean surface and gently roll it into a log about 8 inches long and 2 inches wide. The dough will feel different than traditional bagel dough—more like a soft play dough.
Step 6: Cut the log into 6 equal pieces. I use a gentle sawing motion with a sharp knife for clean cuts.
Step 7: Here comes the fun part! Shape each piece into a round, then use your finger to poke a hole through the middle. Gently widen the hole by twirling the dough around your finger. You’re now holding one of your Cottage Cheese Bagels with Almond Flour—pretty satisfying, right?
Step 8: For that gorgeous golden finish, brush each bagel with a little egg wash (just an extra egg yolk mixed with a splash of water).
Step 9: Sprinkle that everything bagel seasoning generously on top. This is where the magic happens—don’t be shy with it!
Step 10: Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Your kitchen will fill with the most wonderful aroma that takes me back to my favorite bagel shop in the city!
Cottage Cheese Bagels with Almond Flour: Storage Tips You Need
Counter Storage: These beauties will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. I like to place a paper towel in the container to absorb any moisture and keep them from getting soggy.
Fridge Magic: For longer storage, pop them in the refrigerator where they’ll keep wonderfully for up to a week. The cold actually helps maintain their texture—a happy discovery I made after accidentally leaving a batch in the fridge!
Freezer Friends: These bagels freeze beautifully! I slice them first, then freeze in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag. This way, you can toast them straight from frozen for an instant breakfast. They’ll keep for up to a month, though in my house they never last that long!
Reheating Tip: For that fresh-baked taste, I split my bagels and pop them in the toaster for about 2 minutes. The edges get perfectly crisp while the inside stays tender—absolute breakfast perfection!
What Pairs Well With This
Smashed Avocado with Everything Seasoning: The creamy avocado against the nutty bagel creates a texture paradise—my Saturday morning favorite!
Cream Cheese with Fresh Berries: The tangy cream cheese and sweet berries balance the savory bagel perfectly. My daughter’s eyes light up when she sees this combo!
Scrambled Eggs with Chives: Or try them alongside our fluffy Quick Protein Bagels for a double protein boost.
Smoked Salmon with Capers: When I’m feeling fancy, this combination turns breakfast into an event—especially when paired with a Keto High-Protein Bagel.
Almond Butter and Banana Slices: Or go sweet with our Greek Yogurt Blueberry Bagel topped with fruit for a satisfying breakfast twist.
FAQs
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese?
I’ve tried both in my kitchen—Greek yogurt works in a pinch, but you’ll get a slightly tangy flavor and might need to adjust the almond flour. Cottage cheese creates that perfect bagel texture I love!
How can I make these dairy-free?
While I haven’t personally tested dairy-free versions yet, several readers have shared success using dairy-free cottage cheese alternatives. The texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious!
Can I add flavors to the dough?
Absolutely! I’ve added cinnamon and raisins for a sweet version, inspired by our Cinnamon Raisin Bagels, and herbs like rosemary and thyme for a savory twist. Just fold them in gently after blending the dough.
Why are my bagels crumbly?
In my experience, this usually means the dough was too dry. Different brands of cottage cheese have varying moisture levels, so next time, try adding an extra tablespoon of cottage cheese to bring the dough together.
Cottage Cheese Bagels with Almond Flour
These Cottage Cheese Bagels with Almond Flour are gluten-free, grain-free, and diabetic-friendly. Perfect for a high-protein breakfast or snack, with only 5 net carbs and 13g of protein per serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 Bagels 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Diabetic
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1 cup full fat cottage cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon Everything but the bagel seasoning
Instructions
- Blend the cottage cheese until smooth.
- Add all other ingredients to the blender and mix until well combined.
- Roll dough into a log about 8 inches long and 2 inches wide.
- Cut into 6 pieces and shape into bagels with a hole in the center.
- Optional: Brush each with egg yolk for shine.
- Sprinkle seasoning on top.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
- For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Customize toppings like sesame or poppy seeds.
- For firmer dough, add more almond flour as needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bagel
- Calories: 255.7 kcal
- Sugar: 2.3 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 20.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18.6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg