Description
Enjoy these crispy and delicious air fryer cottage cheese bagels, perfect for a quick breakfast or snack. Made with simple ingredients like cottage cheese, egg, and spices, these bagels come together easily without the need for yeast or long proofing times. Light, fluffy inside with a golden, crispy crust, they’re an excellent protein-packed option for vegetarians.
Ingredients
Scale
Bagel Dough
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Toppings & Finishing
- Sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning (optional)
- Cooking spray or a little oil for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and let it preheat while you prepare the dough.
- Make Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese and egg until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir everything together until it forms a soft dough.
- Knead Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and knead the dough briefly until it comes together and feels pliable.
- Shape Bagels: Divide the dough into 4 equal portions and roll each into a ball. Use your finger to punch a hole through the center of each ball, then gently stretch each to form a traditional bagel shape.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly grease the air fryer basket or tray with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking.
- Arrange & Add Toppings: Place the bagels in the basket, spacing them apart. Optionally, brush each bagel with a little water and sprinkle with sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning for extra flavor.
- Air Fry: Cook the bagels in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even browning. They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside when done.
- Cool & Serve: Remove the bagels from the air fryer and cool on a wire rack before slicing. Serve warm with your favorite spreads or toppings.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend; dough texture may differ slightly.
- Add dried herbs like oregano or basil into the dough for an herby flavor twist.
- These bagels are best eaten fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
- Freeze leftovers and reheat in the air fryer for a quick snack anytime.
