These air fryer protein bagels are soft, chewy, and packed with protein—no yeast, no waiting, just mix, shape, and cook! Made with cottage cheese and Greek yogurt, they have an amazing texture and taste just like a classic bagel but with way more protein.
Perfect for breakfast, sandwiches, or just slathering with cream cheese. Let’s make them!
What You’ll Need
Ingredients:
- ½ cup cottage cheese (small curd)
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 cup self-rising flour (or see substitution below)
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 egg (for egg wash, optional)
- Optional toppings: Everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds
Pro Tips
⭐ Drain the cottage cheese! Too much moisture can make the dough sticky.
⭐ Flour your hands to make shaping easier. The dough will be a little sticky at first.
⭐ Brush with egg wash for a shinier, golden brown crust.
⭐ Let them cool for a few minutes after air frying—they firm up as they cool!
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon or spatula
- Air fryer
- Parchment paper or air fryer liner
- Small brush (for egg wash)
Substitutions & Variations
✔️ No Self-Rising Flour? Use 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 ½ tsp baking powder + ¼ tsp salt.
✔️ Dairy-Free? Use plant-based Greek yogurt and cottage cheese.
✔️ Gluten-Free? Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with baking powder.
✔️ Make It Sweeter? Add 1 tbsp honey to the dough and top with cinnamon sugar!
How to Make Air Fryer Protein Bagels
1. Blend the Cottage Cheese
In a blender or food processor, blend cottage cheese until smooth and creamy.
2. Mix the Dough
In a bowl, stir together blended cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, self-rising flour, and salt until a dough forms.
3. Shape the Bagels
Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope, then form a circle and pinch the ends together to make a bagel shape.
4. Brush with Egg Wash & Add Toppings
Brush each bagel with beaten egg for a golden finish. Sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning or toppings of choice.
5. Air Fry Until Golden Brown
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place bagels in the air fryer basket (on parchment paper) and cook for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown.
6. Cool & Serve
Let bagels cool for 5 minutes, then slice and enjoy!
Leftovers & Storage
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for 3-4 minutes for that fresh-baked taste.
Enjoy!
These air fryer protein bagels are chewy, delicious, and so easy to make! Try them with cream cheese, avocado, or as a breakfast sandwich. Let me know how they turn out in the comments! 😊🥯✨