Cottage Cheese Bagel Bites
Mini bagels bites made from just 4 simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour blend
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup cottage cheese, any excess liquid on top drained I use low-fat Good Culture brand
- 1 egg, lightly beaten (optional) or water see note below
- optional toppings, such as everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, or coarse salt
- 2 oz block cream cheese, cut into 8 equal pieces if stuffing bagels
Instructions
- If using an air fryer, spray the basket or tray with oil spray. If using the oven to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease with oil spray.
- Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
- Add the cottage cheese and mix with a fork until a crumbly dough forms. Use your hand to knead the dough in the bowl until starts to come together. If the dough is too dry and not sticking together, add another spoonful of cottage cheese. If the dough is super sticky, dust the dough with flour.
- Dust the counter or work surface with a little flour, dump the dough out, and continue kneading it until a cohesive ball forms. It's ok if the dough isn't completely smooth.
- Roll the dough into a log shape and cut it into 8 equal pieces.
- If not stuffing the bagels, roll the peices into balls and place on the tray/ baking sheet.
- If stuffing the bagels, press the dough into about a 3-inch circle, dusting with flour as needed. Place a piece of cream cheese in the center. Pinch the dough up around the cream cheese, making sure to seal the dough well so the cream cheese doesn't leak out while baking. Roll the dough around in your palms a little to form a ball. Place the balls in the air fryer basket or on the baking sheet.
- Brush the tops of the bagel bites with egg wash or a little bit of water. Sprinkle on toppings, if using.
- Air fry at 350 degrees until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Bake in the regular oven until golden brown, 12 to 14 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes then enjoy. (Bagel bites are best eaten fresh, but can be reheated in the microwave or air fryer for 15 to 30 seconds.)
- Store bagel bites in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or freeze, individually wrapped, for two months.
Notes
The egg wash helps give the dough a nice golden brown color. However, the recipe will still be tasty if you omit the egg. You can use a little water to help the seasonings stick to the outside of the bagel bites instead.