These High Protein Cheddar Jalapeño Bagels strike a delicious balance of savory cheddar, bright jalapeño heat, and a satisfyingly chewy texture. Made with full-fat cottage cheese to boost protein and moisture, they’re simple to prepare using everyday ingredients. Topped with melted cheddar and fresh jalapeño slices, they bake to a golden finish—perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a hearty sandwich.
Kelley’s Tips
Before You Get Started
- Knead just enough. Kneading develops structure, but overworking can make bagels dense. A few minutes by hand is usually sufficient.
- Keep things lightly floured. The dough can be tacky—dust your hands and work surface with a little flour to make shaping easier.
- Control the heat. Adjust jalapeño quantity and remove seeds for milder bagels or leave seeds in for more kick.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour – Provides structure and chew.
- Full-fat cottage cheese – Adds protein and keeps the crumb moist.
- Baking powder – A quick-rise leavening alternative to yeast.
- Salt – Balances and enhances flavor.
- Large egg – Brushed on for a glossy, golden crust.
- Shredded cheddar – Gives a bold, melty topping and crisp edges when baked.
- Jalapeño, sliced – Fresh, bright heat; include seeds if you like it spicier.
How to Make High Protein Cheddar Jalapeño Bagels
- Combine the flour and full-fat cottage cheese in a large bowl. Mix with your hands or a spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough by hand until it holds together and becomes smoother. Move it to a lightly floured surface and knead for another 2–3 minutes. Let the dough rest 5–10 minutes to relax the gluten.
- Divide the dough into four equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then let them rest for 10 minutes. Poke a hole through each ball with your finger and gently stretch the center to form bagel shapes. Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Place the shaped bagels on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush each with the whisked egg, then sprinkle with shredded cheddar and top with jalapeño slices.
- Bake for about 25 minutes, until the tops are golden and the cheese is bubbling and slightly crisp. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes before slicing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How spicy are these bagels?
The heat depends on how many jalapeños you use and whether you keep the seeds. Removing seeds reduces heat significantly. Adjust the amount of jalapeño to suit your tolerance.
How should I store these bagels?
Keep bagels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in a low oven or toaster until warmed through.
Why is my dough sticky?
Cottage cheese adds moisture, which can make dough tacky. If it’s too sticky to handle, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time until it becomes manageable without drying it out.
More Spicy Recipes to Try
- Spicy Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese
- Spicy Tuna Bowls
- Sweet and Spicy Honey Sriracha Chicken
- Szechuan Beef
- Firecracker Chicken
High Protein Cheddar Jalapeño Bagels
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 cups full fat cottage cheese
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 large egg, whisked
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 jalapeño, sliced
Instructions
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Add the all-purpose flour and full-fat cottage cheese to a large bowl. Mix until a shaggy dough forms—using your hands works well.
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Knead until the dough comes together and becomes smooth. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead 2–3 minutes more. Let rest 5–10 minutes.
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Divide into four pieces and roll each into a ball. Rest 10 minutes, then poke a hole through the center with your finger and stretch to form bagels. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
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Place bagels on a parchment-lined sheet. Brush with egg wash, top with shredded cheddar and jalapeño slices.
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Bake 25 minutes or until golden on top. Cool on the baking sheet 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information
Did You Make This?
I’d love to hear how these bagels turned out for you. Leave a review and share photos if you can—it helps others and makes the recipe better for everyone.