Garlic Herb Protein Bagels (Printable version)

Soft bagels with garlic and herbs paired with a creamy cottage cheese spread, perfect for a nutritious start.

# What You’ll Need:

→ For the Bagels

01 - 2 cups bread flour
02 - 1 cup unflavored whey protein powder
03 - 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
04 - 1 tablespoon sugar
05 - 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
06 - 1 tablespoon dried mixed herbs (oregano, basil, parsley)
07 - 2 teaspoons garlic powder
08 - 1 cup warm water (110°F)
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ For Boiling

10 - 2 quarts water
11 - 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
12 - 1 teaspoon baking soda

→ For the Cottage Cheese Spread

13 - 1 cup cottage cheese
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
15 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
16 - 1 garlic clove, minced
17 - 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
18 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine bread flour, protein powder, yeast, sugar, salt, dried herbs, and garlic powder.
02 - Add warm water and olive oil to the dry mixture and stir until a shaggy dough forms.
03 - Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead for approximately 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 30 to 40 minutes until doubled in size.
05 - Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
06 - Punch down the risen dough and divide into 6 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball, then poke a hole in the center of each to form a bagel shape.
07 - Bring 2 quarts of water to a gentle boil in a saucepan. Add honey or sugar and baking soda to the water.
08 - Boil each bagel for 45 seconds on each side using a slotted spoon, then transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
09 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Cool on a wire rack.
10 - In a mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, chives, parsley, minced garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper until smooth.
11 - Slice cooled bagels and serve with a generous layer of cottage cheese spread.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • These bagels have nearly 20 grams of protein per serving, so you're actually full for hours instead of hungry by 10 AM.
  • The garlic and herb flavors are bold enough to feel like a treat, but the cottage cheese spread keeps everything balanced and fresh.
  • You can make a batch and freeze them, which means warm, homemade bagels on busy mornings without the actual work.
02 -
  • Water temperature matters more than you think; if it's too hot or too cold, your yeast won't activate properly and the whole timeline gets thrown off.
  • Don't skip the boiling step trying to save time; that's what makes these actually taste like bagels instead of dense bread rolls.
  • If your cottage cheese spread seems too thick, a tablespoon of Greek yogurt or even a splash of lemon juice loosens it without watering it down.
03 -
  • Toast your finished bagel lightly before adding the spread; it warms everything and creates a subtle contrast in textures that feels more polished.
  • If you want a crunchier crust, brush the bagels with an egg wash before baking, or sprinkle them with sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning right after they come out of the boiling water.
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