If you’ve ever wanted to indulge in a bagel that’s surprisingly light, naturally sweet, and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor, you’re in for a treat with this Strawberry Cottage Cheese Bagels Recipe. These bagels bring together the creamy tang of cottage cheese with the vibrant pop of freeze-dried strawberry powder, creating a delightful twist on a classic favorite. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy snack, they’re incredibly simple to make and guaranteed to bring a smile to your face with every bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a close-up of two pink raw doughnuts on a white marbled surface. The doughnuts have a rough and crumbly texture with small red specks throughout, indicating the presence of some berry ingredient. Each doughnut has a classic ring shape with an even hole in the center. There is soft natural lighting that highlights the dough's texture and color. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

These ingredients are wonderfully straightforward but each plays a crucial role in making these strawberry cottage cheese bagels taste just right. From the creamy cottage cheese adding moisture and richness, to the strawberry powder lending a beautiful color and natural sweetness, every element is essential.

Blended cottage cheese: Brings creaminess and protein, creating a tender bagel texture without heaviness.
All-purpose flour: The backbone of your dough, providing structure and chewiness perfect for bagels.
Baking powder: Helps the bagels rise lightly, ensuring they’re fluffy but still satisfyingly dense.
Sea salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness beautifully.
Freeze-dried strawberry powder: Adds vibrant pink color and an intense burst of natural strawberry flavor.
Brown sugar: A touch of sweetness with caramel notes that elevate the fruitiness.
Large egg: Acts as a binder and provides a lovely golden sheen when brushed on top.

How to Make Strawberry Cottage Cheese Bagels Recipe

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Start by setting your air fryer to 350℉. This ensures the perfect temperature for cooking the bagels evenly and achieving a golden crust without drying them out. Preheating is key to getting that professional finish right at home.

Step 2: Mix the Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the blended cottage cheese, flour, baking powder, sea salt, freeze-dried strawberry powder, and brown sugar. Use a silicone or wooden spoon to stir everything together until well combined. Then, press the mixture with your hands to form a cohesive dough ball—this is where your hands do some magic, transforming those dry and wet ingredients into one luscious blend.

Step 3: Knead the Dough

Transfer the dough onto a floured work surface to prevent sticking. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic. Don’t hesitate to dust with a little more flour as needed—this keeps the dough manageable and helps you shape perfect bagels.

Step 4: Shape Your Bagels

Divide the dough into four equal sections. Roll each piece into a smooth ball, then lightly flatten it. Using the end of a rounded spoon or just your finger, poke a hole through the center of each flattened ball. Gently stretch that hole so it stays open during cooking, creating the signature bagel shape. This little step ensures your bagels air fry evenly and look picture perfect.

Step 5: Brush with Egg Wash

Brush the top and bottom of each bagel with the beaten egg. This adds shine and gives the bagels a beautiful golden color once cooked, making them look as delicious as they taste.

Step 6: Air Fry the Bagels

Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Cook the bagels at 350℉ for 6 minutes, then flip them over carefully and cook for an additional 6 minutes. Depending on your air fryer size, you might need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure even cooking.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

After air frying, let the bagels cool on a wire rack or plate for about 5 minutes. This rest time helps the texture settle so that every bite is perfectly tender yet firm. Now, you’re ready to enjoy your homemade strawberry cottage cheese bagels!

How to Serve Strawberry Cottage Cheese Bagels Recipe

A close-up view of a sliced bagel held by a woman's hand, showing the cut half topped with a smooth layer of pale pink cream cheese and three fresh strawberry slices, each strawberry slice bright red with a slightly glossy texture. In the background, there is a whole plain bagel on a white plate, partially visible alongside more strawberry slices scattered on the plate, all set against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

These bagels are delicious on their own, but adding toppings really elevates the experience. Try spreading creamy Greek yogurt or your favorite cream cheese mixed with honey or vanilla, then sprinkle with fresh strawberry slices or toasted nuts for added texture and a fresh burst of flavor.

Side Dishes

Pair your strawberry cottage cheese bagels with a fresh fruit salad or a simple spinach and arugula salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette. These options complement the sweetness of the bagels and create a balanced, vibrant meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, turn these bagels into mini sandwiches by layering with smoked salmon, cucumber slices, and dill for a savory contrast. Or assemble a brunch platter featuring these strawberry bagels alongside bowls of cottage cheese, berries, and honey for your guests to customize their own delicious creations.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to keep them fresh and soft. For longer storage, refrigeration is best, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or placed in a sealed container to avoid drying out.

Freezing

These bagels freeze beautifully. Place cooled bagels in a freezer-safe bag or container, separating them with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 3 months, allowing you to enjoy them anytime a craving strikes without sacrificing texture or flavor.

Reheating

To bring frozen or refrigerated bagels back to life, warm them gently in a toaster oven or air fryer at a low temperature, around 300℉, for 3-5 minutes. This restores freshness and crispness while keeping that lovely strawberry aroma intact.

FAQs

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried strawberry powder?

Great question! Freeze-dried strawberry powder provides concentrated flavor and beautiful color without adding excess moisture, which is crucial for the dough’s texture. Using fresh strawberries would add too much moisture and alter the bagel’s consistency, so it’s best to stick with the powder for this recipe.

Is it possible to make these bagels without an air fryer?

Absolutely! While the air fryer speeds up the process and creates a crisp crust, you can bake these bagels in a preheated oven at 350℉ for about 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even baking.

Can I substitute cottage cheese with another type of cheese?

Cottage cheese’s texture and moisture content are key to achieving these bagels’ tender crumb. Ricotta can be a substitute but expect a slightly different texture. Hard cheeses won’t work as well because they lack the moisture needed here.

How do I make sure the hole in the bagel doesn’t close during baking?

After shaping and poking the hole in your bagel dough, gently stretch the hole a bit wider to prevent it from sealing up. The dough tends to shrink as it cooks, so giving it extra room helps maintain that classic bagel shape.

Can I add other flavors to the Strawberry Cottage Cheese Bagels Recipe?

Yes! Feel free to experiment by adding some vanilla extract for extra sweetness, or mix in chopped nuts like almonds or pistachios for a delightful crunch that pairs wonderfully with the strawberry flavor.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Strawberry Cottage Cheese Bagels Recipe enough for anyone looking to brighten up their breakfast routine or impress friends with a unique homemade treat. It’s approachable, healthy, and bursting with delightful strawberry flavor in every bite. Give it a try, and watch how quickly these bagels become your new favorite go-to!

Strawberry Cottage Cheese Bagels Recipe

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4.1 from 2 reviews

Author: Sara
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 bagels
Diet: Low Fat

Print Recipe

Description

Enjoy a delightful and healthier twist on classic bagels with these Strawberry Cottage Cheese Bagels. Made with blended cottage cheese and infused with natural freeze-dried strawberry powder, these bagels are fluffy, slightly sweet, and perfect for a nutritious breakfast or snack. Cooked quickly and evenly in an air fryer, they offer a convenient and delicious treat that’s easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Bagel Dough

1 cup blended cottage cheese
1 cup all-purpose flour
1.5 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon sea salt
3 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberry powder
3 tablespoons brown sugar

Topping

1 large egg (for egg wash)

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Instructions

Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350℉ to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for even cooking of the bagels.
Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the blended cottage cheese, all-purpose flour, baking powder, sea salt, freeze-dried strawberry powder, and brown sugar. Use a silicone or wooden spoon to stir until the ingredients are well combined. Then, use your hands to press together the mixture until a dough ball forms.
Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough ball to a floured work surface. Knead the dough gently until it becomes smooth and pliable. Sprinkle additional flour on the top and bottom as needed to prevent sticking.
Shape the Bagels: Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Roll each piece into a ball and lightly flatten it. Using the end of a rounded spoon or your finger, poke a hole in the center of the flattened dough and stretch it carefully to maintain the hole, ensuring it doesn’t close during air frying.
Apply Egg Wash: Brush the tops and bottoms of each shaped bagel with the beaten egg. This will give them a lovely glossy finish after cooking.
Air Fry the Bagels: Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Place the bagels inside and air fry for 6 minutes. Flip the bagels carefully and air fry for an additional 6 minutes to cook evenly on both sides. Depending on your air fryer size, you may need to cook them in two batches.
Cool Before Serving: Once cooked, remove the bagels from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack or plate for about 5 minutes to finish setting.
Serve: Enjoy the Strawberry Cottage Cheese Bagels warm or at room temperature with your favorite bagel toppings such as cream cheese, fresh fruit, or honey.

Notes

Blending the cottage cheese before mixing ensures a smoother dough texture.
Be gentle when stretching the hole in the bagel to prevent tearing.
You can substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar for a healthier alternative.
These bagels are best enjoyed the day they are made but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Reheat in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to refresh before serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American