When the air turns crisp and apple season arrives, there’s nothing quite like filling your kitchen with the warm scent of cinnamon and spice. These Apple Spice Cottage Cheese Bagels bring together the best of fall flavors in a surprisingly simple recipe that’s perfect for weekend mornings or meal prep.
The Secret Ingredient: Cottage Cheese
These aren’t your typical yeast bagels that require hours of rising and boiling. Instead, they use a clever two-ingredient dough base of flour and cottage cheese that comes together in minutes. We love using Kalona SuperNatural 2% Cottage Cheese for its creamy texture and clean, tangy flavor that perfectly complements the sweet apples and warming spices.
The cottage cheese adds moisture, protein, and a subtle richness to the dough while keeping the bagels tender. Plus, with our minimally processed cottage cheese, you’re getting wholesome dairy from pasture-raised, grass-fed cows on small family farms.
Fall Flavors in Every Bite
The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice creates that classic apple pie warmth, while fresh diced apples throughout the dough add pockets of sweet, fruity goodness. Each bite offers a delightful contrast between the soft, spiced bagel and the tender apple pieces.
Apple Spice Cottage Cheese Bagels
Makes: 2 bagels
Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 22–26 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup King Arthur all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp allspice
- 1 small apple
- 1 egg (divided — yolk for dough, white for egg wash)
- ½ cup Kalona SuperNatural 2% Cottage Cheese
Instructions
Prep your oven and pan: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix the dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
Prepare the apples: Dice the apple into small cubes (about ¼-inch). Pat dry with a paper towel to remove extra moisture. This step is important to prevent soggy dough!
Make the dough: In another bowl, stir together cottage cheese and egg yolk. Add diced apples. Gently fold in the dry mixture until a soft dough forms. The dough may be slightly sticky—that’s normal.
Shape the bagels: Lightly flour your hands. Divide the dough into 2 pieces. Shape each into a log and connect the ends to form a ring. (Pro tip: If shaping rings feels tricky, you can flatten them into rounds instead—they’ll still taste amazing!) Press a few apple pieces into the surface if you want them to show.
Add the finishing touch: Brush tops with the beaten egg white for a beautiful golden shine.
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 22–26 minutes, until golden brown and firm to the touch.
Rest and enjoy: Let the bagels rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving. This helps them set and makes them easier to cut.
Serving Suggestions
These bagels are delicious on their own, but they’re also wonderful with:
- A schmear of cream cheese (try our Kalona SuperNatural Cream Cheese!)
- Butter and a drizzle of honey
- Almond butter and a sprinkle of granola
- Your favorite fall jam
Whether you’re looking for a cozy breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a healthier alternative to store-bought bagels, these Apple Spice Cottage Cheese Bagels deliver comfort and nutrition in every bite. The recipe easily doubles if you want to make a bigger batch for the week ahead.
Give them a try this fall and let us know what you think! Share your creations with us on social media and tag us—we love seeing how you enjoy Kalona SuperNatural products in your kitchen.