Bethenny Frankel Says Her Cottage Cheese Bagels Are So Good, She Might Open Up a Bagel Store
'You're welcome,' says Frankel
Bethenny Frankel has a new food fixation, and this time, it’s all about bagels. The “Real Housewives” alum and entrepreneur recently introduced her take on the viral two-ingredient Greek yogurt bagel—only she’s swapped in a trending, high-protein favorite: cottage cheese. And the internet is eating it up. “My whole personality is not Chanel, it’s not caviar, it’s not chicken salad, it’s not ‘It Ends with Us.’ It’s bagels,” Frankel declares in a TikTok video, completely enamored with her latest homemade creation. “This is very big.” Here’s how to make your own cottage cheese bagels at home—no kneading or boiling required!
A cottage cheese twist on a classic bagel
Frankel’s latest kitchen experiment is an upgrade to the beloved “magic” bagel recipe that’s been circulating for years. “I did them differently tonight,” she explained. “I won’t sleep tonight I can’t wait for breakfast.” Instead of Greek yogurt, another protein powerhouse, she uses whipped cottage cheese—and not just a little. Frankel ups the quantity to 1¼ cups, ensuring these bagels stay ultra-moist and tender inside. The full recipe makes four bagels with just three simple ingredients:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Whipped cottage cheese
The secret to perfecting cottage cheese bagels
Frankel admits that shaping the dough takes a little patience. “Like any movie, it all happens in the edit,” she jokes, encouraging bakers to trust the process. Since the dough is extra sticky, she recommends dusting it with flour before shaping it into bagel rounds on parchment paper.
Once shaped, the bagels get an egg wash to create that signature golden-brown exterior. Then, it’s time for toppings! Frankel swears by chunky rock salt and everything bagel seasoning, though options like Parmesan, nigella seeds or cinnamon sugar work just as well. “The move is rock salt. I like salt,” she advises for those opting for a classic salty bagel with Everything Bagel seasoning.
How to make Bethenny Frankel’s cottage cheese bagels

With just three ingredients and a blender, Frankel’s cottage cheese bagels are perfect for anyone looking for a protein-packed, homemade alternative to store-bought bagels. And if her enthusiasm is any indication, these might just replace her usual bakery order for good. Below, here’s an easy recipe to follow.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- 1½ tsp. baking powder
- 1¼ cup whipped cottage cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- Preferred toppings (salt, Parmesan, Everything bagel seasoning)
Directions:
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Preheat the oven to 375° F. Then, prepare a parchment lined baking sheet.
- First, blend the cottage cheese until smooth. Then, transfer to a bowl and whisk in the flour and baking powder until incorporated.
- Spread flour evenly on a flat surface, then divide the dough in quarters. Place each onto the flour, sprinkle with more flour, then gently shape and pat into a disc. Move the discs onto a baking sheet and poke holes in each.
- Coat each disc with the egg wash, then add your preferred toppings. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove and let the bagels rest for about 15 minutes before slicing, preventing a gummy texture.
The result? A tender, slightly flatter bagel that’s soft inside but firm enough to hold up to butter or cream cheese once toasted.
“They’re insane—I’m opening up a bagel store, I’m gonna do a pop-up,” she raves in a video, marveling at her creation. “Am I a cook or a chef? Do you need to ask that question? I don’t think so. I’m like a bagel savant.”
The best way to store and enjoy
These bagels store well in both the fridge and freezer. In fact, chilling them may even improve their texture, making them slightly drier and more bagel-like. The best way to reheat them? Straight from the freezer into the toaster for a crispy, warm bite.
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