If you’ve ever wanted to make homemade bagels but felt intimidated by long ingredient lists or complicated steps, this recipe will change everything. These 4-ingredient bagels are delicious and perfect for anyone looking to save money on groceries while still enjoying fresh, homemade food. They’re also a fantastic option for meal prep. You can customize them with any toppings you like such as sesame seeds, everything but the bagel seasoning, cinnamon sugar, or shredded cheese.
This simple bagel recipe uses protein-rich Greek yogurt (or blended cottage cheese) to give them extra protein. It also gives you the opportunity to use up these items in their fridge if they are getting close to expiration. Greek yogurt or cottage cheese also gives the dough great texture without the need for yeast or rising time. With just a bowl, a few minutes of mixing, and a quick bake, you’ll have warm, golden bagels ready to enjoy.
Reduce Food Waste and Save Money on Groceries
Making homemade staples like these bagels is one of the easiest ways to reduce food waste. Not only do you avoid buying expensive pre-made items, but you can also use up ingredients you already have on hand, like yogurt or cottage cheese that’s nearing the end of its freshness.
Reducing food waste is one major way to save money on groceries. We have a grocery budget of $135/person per month and zero food waste. Small steps, like storing food properly, freezing extras, meal prepping, and learning how to extend the life of your produce, add up quickly. I enjoy using leftover berries in my Frozen Yogurt Bark and you can also use veggies in meals like Yakisoba or egg dishes.
If you want to learn how to keep your produce fresh for weeks and stop throwing away spoiled fruits and veggies, be sure to check out The Zero Waste Produce Guide. It has step by step instructions for washing and storing 75 produce items as well as over 40 recipes. The Zero Waste Produce Guide is available in The Cross Legacy Shop and on Amazon.
Storing Dairy Products in Glass Jars for Longer Freshness
Another way to reduce waste is by making your dairy products last longer. One of the easiest methods is storing dairy in glass jars. Whether you're using Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream, or even cream cheese, transferring them from plastic containers into glass jars helps extend their shelf life. They will last about two weeks past the best by date on the container when you store them this way. Make sure to use a glass jar with a metal lid because they are totally airtight. Watch this video to learn more!
4-Ingredient Homemade Bagel Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (add an extra ⅓ cup when using cottage cheese)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt or blended low-fat cottage cheese
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Optional: Any toppings you prefer—everything seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, cinnamon sugar, shredded cheese, etc.
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl until a soft dough forms.
- Cut the dough into 4 equal pieces.
- Roll and shape each portion into a bagel.
- Place bagels on a lined baking tray.
- Brush lightly with the egg wash and add any desired toppings.
- Bake at 375°F for 25–30 minutes, or until the bagels turn a beautiful golden brown.
- Cool for 20 minutes before cutting to maintain texture
These bagels come out chewy, flavorful, and perfect for breakfast sandwiches, snacks, or freezing for later.
You can watch the process of me making bagels in this video: How to Make Bagels.
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