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These protein bagels need just two key ingredients to make and pack in over 20 grams of protein each! No yeast is needed, I love how you don’t need protein powder!
Love homemade bread recipes? Try cottage cheese bread, protein bread, and coconut flour bread.
I always start the morning with a high-protein breakfast because it sets the tone for the day ahead and keeps me full and satisfied. Bagels are infamous for being refined carbs (and have barely any protein), but I’ve adapted my 2 ingredient bagels to pack in tons of protein and taste like the real thing.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- No yeast needed. Unlike traditional bagels, these have no yeast in them and they are baked, not boiled!
- Quick and easy. This recipe takes less than 15 minutes to make from start to finish. I reckon the hardest part is choosing what to serve your bagels with.
- At least 20 grams of protein each. Each bagel has over 20 grams of protein, but I’ve including a ton of variations to amp it up even more!
- No fancy mixers or kitchen gadgets. All you need is just one mixing bowl and a mixing spoon
Ingredients needed
The flour and yogurt form the base of the bagels and besides some toppings of choice, there isn’t anything else needed to make. Here is what you’ll need:
- Protein flour– An enriched self-rising flour with added protein in it. I used Vetta protein flour, that has 21 grams of protein per serving. If you can’t find protein flour, standard self rising flour can be used. For gluten-free bagels, use a gluten-free baking flour containing xanthan gum.
- Protein powder– Optional, but swapping out half the protein flour for unflavored protein powder will increase the protein content of each bagel to 30 grams.
- Greek yogurt– Non-fat Greek yogurt has over 21 grams of protein per half cup. I used a full cup in this recipe, which provides 42 grams of protein. For vegan protein bagels, use your favorite non-dairy yogurt or coconut yogurt.
- Bagel toppings– Sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and everything but the bagel seasoning.
How to make protein bagels
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Make the dough. In a mixing bowl, add your protein flour and Greek yogurt and mix until a thick dough remains.
Step 2- Knead. Lightly wet your hands and gently knead the dough until smooth.
Step 3- Shape. Next, transfer the dough onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into eight equal pieces and shape them into bagel shapes.
Step 4- Bake. Place them onto a lined baking sheet and sprinkle with your favorite bagel toppings. Bake the bagels for 15-18 minutes or until golden on top. Remove the high protein bagels from the oven and let them cool completely before slicing and enjoying.
Ways to add more protein
While the Greek yogurt and protein-enriched flour add a hefty dose of protein, you can amp it up even more with a few tricks!
- Cheese– Cheddar, tasty, American, and Pepper jack cheese all pack in 7-10 grams of protein per slice. Cream cheese also provides 2-3 grams per tablespoon.
- Cottage cheese– Swap out the yogurt for equal parts blended cottage cheese.
- Nut and seed butter– Almond butter, honey peanut butter, and sunflower seed butter all have at least 6 grams of protein per two tablespoons.
- Spreads and dips– Hummus, tzatziki, and avocado all have between 3-5 grams of protein per serving.
- Eggs– Egg salad, boiled eggs, or a fried egg.
- Meat, poultry, and seafood- Smoked salmon, grilled chicken, tuna salad, and air fryer turkey bacon.
Recipe tips and variations
- Use the right protein powder. If you choose to add protein powder, be sure it is unflavored and a blend, not straight whey protein powder. I’ve found through testing that the latter dries out the bagels (or any baked good, for that matter).
- Knead the dough. While these bagels don’t use yeast in them, kneading them properly will ensure a smoothie exterior and make them easier to form. I find 3-4 minutes to be plenty of time.
- Shape the bagels correctly. Stretch the dough once you add a hole to the center and make sure it is large enough. This typically shrinks during the baking process.
- Brush with butter. Or an egg white. This gives the bagels a golden exterior and helps any seeds or toppings stick on.
- Make your own flour blend. Combine all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder together.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover bagels can be stored at room temperature, covered, for up to 3 days.. If you’d like to keep them longer, store them in the refrigerator.
To freeze: Place cooled bagels in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to six months.
Reheating: Slice the bagels in half and toast them before adding your favorite spreads and/or fillings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Once the bagel dough is prepped, follow my air fryer bagels recipe.
Yes! Swap out the flour for equal parts almond flour. Alternatively, you can make keto bagels.
More high protein recipes to try
- Protein pizza– Uses the same dough and has 15 grams of protein per slice.
- Protein cookie dough– Your guilt-free dessert fix that tastes like actual cookie dough.
- Cottage cheese pudding– Rich, creamy, and ready in minutes.
- Protein ice cream– 3 ingredients and no ice cream maker.
- Protein banana bread– This tastes like actual banana bread!
- Protein mac and cheese– Over 32 grams of protein in this.
Protein Bagels Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup high protein self rising flour * See notes
- 1/2 cup unflavored protein powder ** See notes
- 1 cup Greek yogurt non fat
- 1 tablespoon butter optional
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds or bagel toppings of choice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, add your flour and yogurt and mix until combined. Using your hands, gently knead together until smooth.
- Transfer the dough onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into eight equal portions and shape them into bagels. Place them on the lined baking sheet and brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with your favorite bagel toppings.
- Bake the bagels for 15-17 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Remove the bagels from the oven and enjoy immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published December 2021, updated March 2024
Great recipe. 😊
I sprinkled them with everything but the bagel seasoning and served them with mashed avocado & a tiny bit of lime juice.
Absolutely delicious great breakfast.
I’m sensitive to whey, so can I use beef gelatin powder as my protein powder?
Do you think I use a vegan coconut yogurt instead of green yogurt? Since I don’t do dairy.
Sure can!