Protein Bagel Bites

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes

• Total Time: 35-40 minutes

• Servings: 4 servings (approx. 4-5 bites per serving)

• Yield: 18-20 mini bagel bites

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Difficulty & Intensity

• Skill Level: Beginner. This recipe is incredibly forgiving and perfect for those new to baking.

• Effort Intensity: Low. The dough comes together with a quick mix and a light knead. The most “intense” part is shaping the little rings, which is a fun and easy activity.

• Flavour Intensity: Medium-High. The tangy yogurt, the savoury-sweetness of the dough, and the punchy, umami-rich “everything” seasoning create a complex and deeply satisfying flavour profile in a small package.

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Why You’ll Love These Protein Bagel Bites

• High Protein Powerhouse: Thanks to the Greek yogurt, each serving packs a significant protein punch, helping to keep you full and fuelled.

• Incredibly Easy: No yeast, no waiting for dough to rise, no complicated techniques. Just mix, shape, and bake.

• Customizable: The everything seasoning is classic, but you can easily switch it up! Think cinnamon-sugar, sesame seeds alone, or even a cheddar and chive version.

• Perfectly Portable: These bites are the ideal size for snacking, lunchboxes, or party platters. They’re sturdy and travel well.

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Ingredients

For the Protein Bagel Dough:

• 1 ½ cups (190g) Self-Rising Flour, plus more for dusting

• 1 cup (240g) Plain Non-Fat Greek Yogurt, at room temperature (this is key for mixing)

• ½ tsp Garlic Powder

• ½ tsp Onion Powder

• ¼ tsp Salt

For the Everything Seasoning Topping:

• 1 large Egg, beaten (for egg wash)

• 1 ½ tbsp Everything Bagel Seasoning (a mix of poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt)

• Optional: ¼ cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella or cheddar cheese for sprinkling on top before baking for an extra cheesy bite.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat and Prep:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) . Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This ensures the bites won’t stick and makes for easy cleanup.

Make the Dough:
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the self-rising flour, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. The self-rising flour already contains baking powder and salt, but we’re adding a touch more salt to balance the yogurt and a flavour boost from the onion and garlic powders.
3. Add the Greek yogurt to the flour mixture. Using a sturdy spatula or a fork, start mixing. It will look shaggy and dry at first – don’t panic! This is normal.
4. As you continue to mix, the moisture from the yogurt will be absorbed by the flour, and a dough will begin to form. Once it becomes difficult to stir, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.

Knead and Shape:
5. Knead the dough gently for about 2-3 minutes. The dough will be slightly tacky but not overly sticky. If it’s sticking to your hands too much, sprinkle on a tiny bit more flour. Kneading activates the gluten just enough to give the bagel bites their characteristic chewy texture. The dough should become smooth and elastic.
6. Divide the dough into two equal halves for easier handling. Roll each half into a log, then cut each log into 9-10 equal pieces. You should have 18-20 small pieces of dough.
7. Roll each piece into a smooth ball. This is the foundation for your bagel bite.
8. Now for the fun part – shaping! To make the classic bagel shape, poke your floured index finger through the center of a dough ball to create a hole. Gently rotate the dough around your finger to stretch the hole to about ½-inch to ¾-inch wide. It will close up a bit during baking, so make the hole a little bigger than you think you need. Place the shaped bagel bites onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about an inch of space between them.

Top and Bake:
9. In a small bowl, beat the egg with a teaspoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush the top of each bagel bite generously with the egg wash. This is the secret to a beautiful, golden-brown, and shiny crust.
10. While the egg wash is still wet, generously sprinkle the Everything Bagel Seasoning over the top of each bite. If you’re using cheese, sprinkle it on after the seasoning.
11. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bagel bites are puffed up, golden brown on top, and sound slightly hollow when tapped on the bottom.
12. Once baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely (or at least until they’re cool enough to handle – the temptation is real!).

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Tips for Perfect Protein Bagel Bites

• Room Temperature Yogurt is Crucial: Cold yogurt straight from the fridge will make the dough stiff and difficult to mix. Let it sit on the counter for 15-20 minutes before starting.

• Don’t Over-Knead: Unlike bread, you don’t need to develop a ton of gluten here. Knead just until the dough is smooth and cohesive. Over-kneading can make the bites tough.

• Self-Rising Flour Substitute: If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can make your own! For every 1 cup of all-purpose flour, add 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and ½ teaspoon of salt. Whisk thoroughly to combine before using.

• Check for Doneness: Ovens vary. Start checking at the 20-minute mark. They are done when they are golden brown and feel firm to the touch.

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Serving Suggestions

These Protein Bagel Bites are delicious all on their own, but they truly shine when paired with a dip. Here are some ideas:

• Classic Combo: Serve warm with whipped cream cheese or Greek yogurt cream cheese.

• Spicy Kick: Pair with a sriracha mayo or a jalapeño-cheddar dip.

• Sweet & Savoury: They are surprisingly good with a dollop of raspberry jam or honey.

• Meal Prep: Make a double batch and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for quick breakfasts or snacks all week.

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Storage & Reheating

• Storage: Store cooled bagel bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

• Reheating: To revive their just-baked texture, pop them in a toaster oven or air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also microwave them for 20-30 seconds, but they will be softer.

• Freezing: These freeze beautifully! Place cooled, unbaked (or baked) bagel bites on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cook time.

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Nutrition Information

*Please note that the following nutrition information is an estimate and will vary based on the specific brands of ingredients used and any optional additions (like cheese). This estimate is for one serving (approx. 4-5 bites) without optional cheese.*