Why I Love Protein Bagels for Better Breakfasts
Hey friends! I’ve been on a major protein kick lately, and these protein bagels have changed my breakfast game completely! When I first tried making them, I couldn’t believe how simple they were – most recipes need just 2-4 ingredients!
These bagels pack about 10-12 grams of protein each, which keeps me full until lunch. No more mid-morning snack attacks! Plus, they’re so easy to customize with your favorite toppings.
I’ve collected my top 10 protein bagel recipes that anyone can make, even if you’re not a baking pro. I’ll also share my favorite kitchen tools (some real time-savers!) and simple tips to make your bagel-making adventures super fun.
Why Protein Bagels Are Worth Trying
Protein bagels aren’t just tasty – they’re also:
- Higher in protein than regular bagels (10-19g per bagel!)
- Quicker to make than traditional bagels (no yeast or long rising time)
- Budget-friendly compared to store-bought protein products
- Versatile for both sweet and savory toppings
- Meal-prep friendly (they freeze beautifully!)
I make a batch every weekend for quick breakfasts and lunches all week. They’re perfect for busy mornings when I need food fast but still want something healthy.
10 Must-Try Protein Bagel Recipes
1. Classic Two-Ingredient Greek Yogurt Protein Bagels
These bagels started the whole protein bagel trend! They’re super simple and perfect for beginners.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Servings | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 min | 25 min | 40 min | 4 bagels | Easy |
Ingredients:
- 1¼ cups self-rising flour
- 1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
Steps:
- Mix flour and yogurt in a bowl until it forms a dough
- Knead dough on a floured surface for about 8 minutes until smooth
- Divide into 4 pieces and roll each into a rope
- Form each rope into a circle and join the ends
- Place on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for about 25 minutes until lightly browned
These bagels have about 12g of protein each! I love topping mine with everything bagel seasoning before baking for extra flavor.
2. High Protein Cottage Cheese Bagels
These fluffy cottage cheese bagels are trending all over social media right now, and for good reason! They’re protein powerhouses with amazing texture .
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Servings | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 min | 25 min | 40 min | 4 bagels | Easy |
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cottage cheese (blended smooth)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg (for wash)
- Toppings of choice
Steps:
- Blend cottage cheese until smooth
- Mix with flour, baking powder, and salt until a dough forms
- Shape into a ball (it might be slightly sticky)
- Divide into 4 parts and shape each into a bagel
- Brush with egg wash and add toppings
- Bake at 375°F for about 25 minutes until puffy and browned
Each bagel has approximately 10g of protein! They’re incredibly versatile – try adding shredded cheese, jalapeños, or cinnamon to the dough for variety .
3. 3-Ingredient Easy Protein Bagels
This recipe adds a bit more flavor while still keeping things super simple .
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Servings | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 min | 20-25 min | 40 min | 4 bagels | Easy |
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 egg (beaten, for wash)
Steps:
- Mix dry ingredients in a medium bowl
- Add yogurt and mix until well combined (will look crumbly)
- Knead dough on floured surface until tacky but not sticky
- Divide into 4 equal portions and roll each into ¾-inch thick ropes
- Join ends to form bagels
- Brush with egg wash and add toppings if desired
- Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes
The versatility of this dough is amazing! You can use it to make pizza bases, focaccia, or dinner rolls too .
4. Air Fryer Protein Bagels
No need to heat up your kitchen with the oven! These air fryer bagels are quick and easy .
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Servings | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 min | 10 min | 25 min | 4 bagels | Easy |
Ingredients:
- 1 cup self-rising flour
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- Toppings of choice
Steps:
- Mix flour and yogurt to form a dough
- Knead briefly and shape into 4 bagels
- Brush with egg wash if desired
- Air fry at 330°F for about 10 minutes until browned
- Cook in batches of 2 bagels at a time for best results
I love how these get extra crispy on the outside while staying soft inside! My basket-style air fryer works perfectly for these.
5. High Protein Everything Bagels
These pack an amazing flavor punch with the popular everything seasoning .
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Servings | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 min | 25 min | 40 min | 4 bagels | Easy |
Ingredients:
- 1¼ cups self-rising flour
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 egg for wash
- 2-3 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning
Steps:
- Mix flour and yogurt to form dough
- Shape into 4 bagels
- Brush with egg wash
- Generously sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning
- Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes until golden
The egg wash helps the seasoning stick better to the bagels. You can make your own everything bagel seasoning or buy a pre-made blend .
6. Two-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Mini Bagels
These cute mini bagels are perfect for kids’ lunches or snacks!
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Servings | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 min | 20 min | 35 min | 8 mini bagels | Easy |
Ingredients:
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup self-rising flour
- Optional toppings
Steps:
- Mix cottage cheese and flour until dough forms
- Divide into 8 pieces
- Roll each piece into a rope and form mini bagels
- Bake at 375°F for about 20 minutes
These adorable mini bagels are great for portion control and have about 5g protein each! I love making them with my silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
7. Gluten-Free Protein Bagels
No gluten? No problem! These bagels are still delicious and protein-packed.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Servings | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 min | 25 min | 40 min | 4 bagels | Medium |
Ingredients:
- 1¼ cups gluten-free flour blend (Caputo or King Arthur recommended)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 egg for wash
Steps:
- Mix dry ingredients
- Add yogurt and combine to form dough
- Knead gently (gluten-free dough will be more delicate)
- Shape into 4 bagels
- Brush with egg wash
- Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes
These surprisingly authentic bagels work great with your favorite gluten-free flour blend. A kitchen scale helps measure flour precisely for best results.
8. High-Protein Cinnamon Raisin Bagels
For a sweeter option that’s still packed with protein!
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Servings | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 min | 25 min | 45 min | 4 bagels | Easy |
Ingredients:
- 1¼ cups self-rising flour
- 1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ cup raisins
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 egg for wash
Steps:
- Mix flour, yogurt, cinnamon, honey, and raisins
- Form into bagel shapes
- Brush with egg wash
- Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes
These sweet treats are amazing topped with a little almond butter and sliced banana! You can even sprinkle a cinnamon-sugar mix on top before baking .
9. Protein Bagels with Seasonal Toppings
Change up your bagels with the seasons for endless variety!
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Servings | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 min | 25 min | 40 min | 4 bagels | Easy |
Ingredients:
- Basic protein bagel dough (flour + Greek yogurt)
- Seasonal toppings:
- Spring: Fresh herbs and lemon zest
- Summer: Sundried tomato and basil
- Fall: Pumpkin spice and pepitas
- Winter: Rosemary and sea salt
Steps:
- Prepare basic bagel dough
- Mix in or top with seasonal ingredients
- Shape and bake as usual
I love changing up my bagels with the seasons. My herb scissors make it super easy to snip fresh herbs right onto the dough!
10. Extra High-Protein Bagels (19g Protein!)
For serious protein goals, this amped-up version delivers big time .
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Servings | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 min | 25 min | 40 min | 4 bagels | Medium |
Ingredients:
- 1 cup bread flour (higher protein than all-purpose)
- ¼ cup unflavored protein powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 egg for wash
Steps:
- Mix dry ingredients thoroughly
- Add yogurt and mix until dough forms
- Knead, shape, and bake as with basic recipe
With 19g of protein per bagel, these are amazing for post-workout fuel! I like to add seeds like flax, chia, or hemp for even more nutrition .
Planning and Prep Tips for Protein Bagels
Making protein bagels part of your weekly routine is super simple with these tips:
- Weekend prep: Make a double batch on Sunday for the whole week
- Freeze extras for up to 3 months (slice them first for easy toasting)
- Store fresh bagels wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days
- Refrigerate the dough for up to 3 days if you want to bake fresh bagels as needed
- Try different shapes – make them smaller for kids or shape into rolls instead of bagels
Plan your bagel adventures with my free Recipe Planner to keep track of your favorite variations!
Smart Shopping for Protein Bagel Ingredients
Save money and get the best results with these shopping tips:
- Buy plain Greek yogurt in larger tubs rather than individual servings
- Look for cottage cheese when it’s on sale and freeze portions in silicone molds
- Self-rising flour can be made at home: add 1½ teaspoons baking powder and ¼ teaspoon salt to each cup of all-purpose flour
- Store extra bagel toppings in Mason jars to keep them fresh
Must-Have Tools for Perfect Protein Bagels
These kitchen helpers make protein bagel baking so much easier:
- Silicone Baking Mat – Nothing sticks to these mats, making cleanup a breeze! This non-stick set has changed my baking life.
- Kitchen Scale – For perfectly consistent bagels every time. This digital scale is accurate and easy to clean.
- Air Fryer – Makes bagels extra crispy in less time! This model fits 4 bagels at once.
- Dough Whisk – Much better than a fork for mixing thick dough. This sturdy whisk is my go-to.
- Pastry Brush – For perfect egg wash application. Silicone brushes don’t lose bristles in your food!
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoy these protein bagels, you’ll also like these other high-protein breakfast ideas:
- Greek Yogurt Pancakes
- Protein-Packed Overnight Oats
- Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowls
Let’s Chat!
Have you tried making protein bagels yet? What’s your favorite topping? I’d love to hear about your bagel adventures in the comments!
Pin this post to save these recipes for later, and follow me on Pinterest for more protein-packed breakfast ideas!
Happy baking, friends!
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