Stuffed Bagel Bites

5 from 1 vote

Mini stuffed bagel bites are quick and easy to make with a 3-ingredient dough and a rich cream cheese filling. They’re soft, slightly chewy, and packed with protein—all without the need for yeast or boiling! Bake or air fry them until golden brown, then enjoy warm as a snack or meal prep breakfast.

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Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Total Time40

Servings: stuffed bagel bites

Author: Molly

INGREDIENTS

1 cup full-fat cottage cheese or plain Greek yogurt
1 cup all-purpose flour gluten-free flour if needed
1 teaspoon baking powder
4 oz block cream cheese cut into 8 cubes
1 large egg beaten, for egg wash
Everything bagel seasoning to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven or air fryer to 350°F. If baking in the oven, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Add the cottage cheese to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Skip this step if using Greek yogurt. Transfer the blended cottage cheese to a large mixing bowl.
1 cup full-fat cottage cheese
Add the flour and baking powder and stir with a spoon or rubber spatula until mostly combined. Switch to your hands to mix and fold as needed until a sticky dough forms. It’s ready when the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder
Turn the dough out onto a generously floured work surface. Knead the dough for 1-2 minutes, until it’s mostly smooth. Add 1 Tablespoon of flour as needed until it’s no longer sticky.
Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and flatten the dough pieces into a flat discs about 4 inches in diameter. Place a cube of cottage cheese in the center and fold the sides of though around the cream cheese to seal it. Pinch the seams and double check the dough didn’t break anywhere to prevent any cream cheese bursts out. Wet your fingertips with warm water to help pinch the seams as needed.
4 oz block cream cheese
Place the bagel bites seam side down and brush the tops with the beaten egg. Sprinkle generously with everything bagel seasoning.
1 large egg, Everything bagel seasoning

Bake

Place the stuffed bagel bites on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and the centers are cooked through and no longer doughy. Tent with foil if the tops are too brown before the inside is cooked. Cool slightly and serve warm.

Air Fryer

Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Place the bagel bites in the basket and air fryer at 350°F for 13-15 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through and no longer doughy. Cool slightly and serve warm.

Notes

Greek Yogurt vs. Cottage Cheese. I’ve tested these with both plain Greek yogurt and cottage cheese. The cottage cheese has a slightly richer chewier texture in my opinion, but there is less prep work (and washing) if you use Greek yogurt. I recommend either, so use what you have on hand!

Gluten-Free. Use a 1:1 baking flour replacement, like Bob's Red Mill or King Arthur's Measure for Measure flour.

Flour. You can swap the flour for bread flour or self rising flour (omit the baking powder). While I haven't tested this, I've seen others have success with almond flour for a low carb option.

Sticky Dough.The texture of the dough can vary based on the type of flour you use and the brand and type of cottage cheese you use. Continue to knead and add a sprinkle of flour at a time until it’s dry enough to work with.

More Flavors. Brush them with melted butter and toss them with cinnamon sugar. You could also sprinkle asiago cheese on top before baking.

DIY Everything Bagel Seasoning. Combine 2 Tbsp sesame seeds, 1 Tbsp poppy seeds, 1 Tbsp dried minced garlic, 1 Tbsp dried minced onion, 1 Tbsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp black sesame seeds.

Store. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Freeze. Freeze unbaked bagel bites on a sheet pan, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes. You can also freeze baked bagel bites, thaw overnight in the fridge, and reheat.

Reheat. Bake in the oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes or in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes until warm.

Nutrition

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