Air Fryer Protein Bagels – High Protein, No Yeast, Quick & Delicious!
If you’ve ever dreamed of enjoying freshly baked bagels without the long wait or complicated kneading, these Air Fryer Protein Bagels are your answer! 🥯✨
Made with just a few pantry staples and protein-packed cottage cheese, these bagels are soft on the inside, lightly crispy on the outside, and perfect for a high-protein breakfast, snack, or sandwich base. Best of all? No yeast, no boiling, no fuss — and they’re ready in under 20 minutes!
Whether you’re looking for a post-workout breakfast, a healthy lunch option, or just a satisfying snack to keep you energized, these homemade bagels check all the boxes. Plus, they’re completely customizable: add your favorite seasonings, or keep them simple for endless topping possibilities!
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 pinch salt optional
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons cottage cheese
- 1 egg for optional egg wash (adds a golden crust)
- Optional Toppings:
- Everything bagel seasoning
- Sesame seeds
- Poppy seeds
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a mixing bowl, combine:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Salt (if using)
- Add the cottage cheese and stir with a spoon or spatula until the dough comes together.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently knead for 1–2 minutes until smooth.
- Pro Tip: Don’t over-knead! A gentle touch keeps the bagels light and fluffy.
Step 2: Shape the Bagels
- Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a rope, about 6–8 inches long.
- Connect the ends to form a circle and pinch to seal.
Step 3: Apply Egg Wash (Optional)
- Beat the egg in a small bowl.
- Brush the egg wash lightly over each bagel.
- Sprinkle with your favorite seasonings if desired.
- The egg wash is optional, but it adds a beautiful golden finish and helps toppings stick!
Step 4: Air Fry the Bagels
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the bagels in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each.
- Air fry for 10–12 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.
- Note: No flipping required! Just keep an eye on them in the last few minutes.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
- Let the bagels cool for a couple of minutes.
- Slice and serve with:
- Cream cheese
- Avocado
- Peanut butter and banana
- Smoked salmon and dill
Notes
🥯 Variations
1. Gluten-Free Protein Bagels
Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. 2. Extra Protein Boost
Use high-protein cottage cheese for even more protein per bagel. 3. Sweet Version
Skip the salt, add a spoonful of honey or maple syrup, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before air frying. 4. Cheddar & Herb Bagels
Add ½ cup shredded cheddar and 1 tablespoon chopped herbs (like chives or rosemary) to the dough. 5. Vegan Adaptation
Use dairy-free cottage cheese and skip the egg wash, or brush with plant-based milk. ❄️ Storage & Reheating
Storage:
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days. Freezing:
Freeze baked bagels for up to 2 months. Slice before freezing for easy toasting straight from frozen! Reheating:
Reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for 2–3 minutes, or toast as desired. 🙋♀️ 10 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use Greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese?
Yes! Greek yogurt is a popular substitute and creates a similar texture. 2. Do I need self-rising flour?
Nope! This recipe includes baking powder for rise, so all-purpose flour works perfectly. 3. Can I skip the egg wash?
Of course. The egg wash gives a shinier crust, but it’s totally optional. 4. Will these bagels taste like traditional bagels?
They're a quicker, lighter version — a bit more biscuit-like but still satisfyingly chewy and delicious. 5. Can I double the recipe?
Yes! Simply double the ingredients and cook in batches to avoid overcrowding. 6. Can I make mini bagels?
Absolutely! Divide the dough into 8 portions and reduce cook time by 2–3 minutes. 7. Are these bagels good for sandwiches?
Definitely! Slice and fill with your favorite sandwich fixings. 8. How much protein is in each bagel?
Approximately 10–12 grams of protein, depending on your cottage cheese brand. 9. Can I knead the dough in a mixer?
You can, but this dough comes together so easily by hand that a mixer isn’t necessary. 10. Can I bake these instead of air frying?
Yes! Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–22 minutes, until golden brown. ✨ Conclusion
These Air Fryer Protein Bagels are the breakfast (or snack!) you’ve been waiting for — high in protein, no yeast, no waiting for dough to rise, and absolutely customizable to your cravings. 🥯✨ Whether you keep them simple, go savory with seeds and cheese, or make them sweet with cinnamon sugar, they’re the perfect quick bake for busy mornings or anytime you want homemade goodness in a hurry. Enjoy them fresh, freeze for later, or even make a batch for meal prep. Either way, you’re just minutes away from warm, golden, high-protein bagels at home!
1. Gluten-Free Protein Bagels
Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. 2. Extra Protein Boost
Use high-protein cottage cheese for even more protein per bagel. 3. Sweet Version
Skip the salt, add a spoonful of honey or maple syrup, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before air frying. 4. Cheddar & Herb Bagels
Add ½ cup shredded cheddar and 1 tablespoon chopped herbs (like chives or rosemary) to the dough. 5. Vegan Adaptation
Use dairy-free cottage cheese and skip the egg wash, or brush with plant-based milk. ❄️ Storage & Reheating
Storage:
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days. Freezing:
Freeze baked bagels for up to 2 months. Slice before freezing for easy toasting straight from frozen! Reheating:
Reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for 2–3 minutes, or toast as desired. 🙋♀️ 10 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use Greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese?
Yes! Greek yogurt is a popular substitute and creates a similar texture. 2. Do I need self-rising flour?
Nope! This recipe includes baking powder for rise, so all-purpose flour works perfectly. 3. Can I skip the egg wash?
Of course. The egg wash gives a shinier crust, but it’s totally optional. 4. Will these bagels taste like traditional bagels?
They're a quicker, lighter version — a bit more biscuit-like but still satisfyingly chewy and delicious. 5. Can I double the recipe?
Yes! Simply double the ingredients and cook in batches to avoid overcrowding. 6. Can I make mini bagels?
Absolutely! Divide the dough into 8 portions and reduce cook time by 2–3 minutes. 7. Are these bagels good for sandwiches?
Definitely! Slice and fill with your favorite sandwich fixings. 8. How much protein is in each bagel?
Approximately 10–12 grams of protein, depending on your cottage cheese brand. 9. Can I knead the dough in a mixer?
You can, but this dough comes together so easily by hand that a mixer isn’t necessary. 10. Can I bake these instead of air frying?
Yes! Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–22 minutes, until golden brown. ✨ Conclusion
These Air Fryer Protein Bagels are the breakfast (or snack!) you’ve been waiting for — high in protein, no yeast, no waiting for dough to rise, and absolutely customizable to your cravings. 🥯✨ Whether you keep them simple, go savory with seeds and cheese, or make them sweet with cinnamon sugar, they’re the perfect quick bake for busy mornings or anytime you want homemade goodness in a hurry. Enjoy them fresh, freeze for later, or even make a batch for meal prep. Either way, you’re just minutes away from warm, golden, high-protein bagels at home!