Everyone has been asking: "How do you make Bethenny Frankel's viral cottage cheese bagel?" And honestly, we don't blame them. It basically broke TikTok—and for good reason. These bagels are high-protein, no-boil, and totally customizable. They're salty on top, fluffy in the middle, and crispy enough on the bottom to give your favorite bagel shop a run for its money. "My whole personality is not Chanel. It's not caviar. It's not chicken salad," Bethenny said after perfecting her recipe. "It's bagels." 

If you're skeptical about cottage cheese in your bagel, we get it. But trust the process, because this isn't some diet-food experiment gone wrong. These bagels are legitimately delicious and ridiculously easy to whip up, whether you’re a pro baker or someone who’s never turned on the oven. Yes, the dough gets messy, and yes, it might look questionable halfway through. Embrace it. This isn’t The Great British Baking Show. And the end result is absolutely worth the chaos.

Here's the best part: you don't need special equipment, complicated techniques, or obscure ingredients. All you need is cottage cheese, flour, baking powder, and your favorite toppings. Whether you're topping them with everything bagel seasoning, flaky sea salt, or experimenting with something sweeter, these bagels are about to become your new breakfast obsession.

Is cottage cheese healthy for breakfast?

Healthy? Yes. Boring? Never. Cottage cheese is packed with protein, calcium, and probiotics, keeping you feeling full longer and energized without that typical breakfast carb crash.

How do you make blended cottage cheese? 

Blended cottage cheese is as simple as blending regular cottage cheese until smooth and creamy. Toss it in a food processor or blender and pulse for about a minute until fluffy. Boom, blended cottage cheese. 

What are good toppings for cottage cheese bagels?

Cinnamon sugar, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic flakes, or even a drizzle of hot honey all work. But if you're feeling fancy, smoked salmon and cream cheese or—dare we say it—caviar butter make it luxurious. For lunch, chicken salad or sliced avocado with TRUFF hot sauce are major wins. Or lean fully into the cottage cheese obsession and top them with even more cottage cheese for the ultimate weirdo snack.

Ingredients

For the Bagels:
  • 1 1/4 cup blended cottage cheese (regular works, but blended mixes easier)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Toppings:
  • Everything bagel seasoning
  • Flaky sea salt (big rock salt is the move)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and place a cookie sheet or pizza stone inside while it heats. Pro tip: Preheating the sheet helps crisp the bottom of the bagels.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the blended cottage cheese, flour, and baking powder. Stir until it forms a sticky dough. It’ll be gloopy—this is normal.
  3. Lightly flour a clean surface. Use a bench scraper or sharp knife to divide the dough into four equal portions. With floured hands, shape each portion into a ball, then gently press your thumb through the center to form a bagel shape. Add more flour as needed to keep it workable. Place each bagel on parchment paper.
  4. Brush the tops of each bagel lightly with beaten egg. Sprinkle generously with everything bagel seasoning, flaky salt, or toppings of your choice.
  5. Carefully transfer the parchment and bagels onto the preheated cookie sheet. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Let cool slightly before serving. (Or don’t.) 

Expert Tips For The Best Cottage Cheese Bagels

  • Blended cottage cheese mixes more smoothly.
  • Flour your hands and board generously.
  • Preheat your baking surface for maximum crispness.
  • Don’t stress over perfect shapes. Rustic looks homemade and tastes just as good.

Back to Food & Travel