Introduction
Oh, you know those days! The ones where you crave something delicious, satisfying, and, dare I say, good for you, but you’re also juggling a million things? I totally get it. That’s exactly when this High Protein Spinach Cottage Cheese Flagel recipe swooped in and saved my busy mornings (and afternoons!). These little beauties are surprisingly simple to whip up, packed with goodness, and taste like a dream. Get ready to fall in love with a new go-to!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Seriously, you can have these ready from start to finish in under an hour!
- Easy: No fancy techniques needed, just a few simple steps.
- Giftable: Bake a batch and share the goodness – they make amazing homemade gifts!
- Crowd-pleasing: Whether it’s for your family or a gathering, these are always a hit.
Ingredients
Gather ’round, my friends! Here’s what you’ll need to create these delightful flagels. Don’t worry, they’re all super common, and I’ll give you some pointers:
- 2 cups fresh spinach: This is where the magic green goodness comes in! It blends right in, adding nutrients without an overpowering spinach flavor.
- 2 large eggs: Our binder and protein booster!
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: The base of our dough.
- 1 tablespoon baking powder: For that lovely light and airy texture.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Just to enhance all those wonderful flavors.
- 1 cup whole wheat flour: Adds a bit more fiber and a slightly nuttier taste. You can totally swap some of this out if you prefer!
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: For a touch of richness and to help with the dough’s texture.
- 1 cup cottage cheese: The secret weapon! It brings protein and a wonderful creamy texture to the dough.
- 2 tablespoons water: Just a little splash to help things along if needed.
- Oil for greasing or parchment paper: To make sure our flagels don’t stick and make cleanup a breeze!
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get our aprons on and make some magic happen! It’s easier than you think.
- Preheat and Prep: First things first, get your oven going at 375°F (190°C). Then, grab a baking sheet and either line it with parchment paper or give it a little grease. This is our non-stick surface for the flagels.
- Spinach & Cottage Cheese Dream: Pop your fresh spinach and cottage cheese into a food processor or blender. Give it a whirl until it’s super smooth and creamy. No leafy bits allowed!
- Dry Ingredients Unite: In a nice big bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, and salt. Get them all acquainted!
- Combine the Goodness: Now, pour that beautiful spinach and cottage cheese mixture into the bowl with your dry ingredients. Add your eggs and that tablespoon of olive oil.
- Mix into Dough: Start mixing everything together. It’ll get shaggy at first, but keep going until a dough forms. If it feels a little too sticky for your liking, just add a tiny bit more flour, a tablespoon at a time. If it seems too dry and crumbly, a tablespoon of water should do the trick.
- Knead for Smoothness: Turn that dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Give it a gentle knead for a minute or two until it’s nice and smooth. It’s like giving the dough a little hug.
- Shape ‘Em Up: Divide your dough into four equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope, aiming for about 8 to 10 inches long.
- Bagel Time! Now, take each rope and form it into a bagel shape. Pinch the ends together firmly so they don’t come apart while baking.
- On the Sheet: Place your beautifully shaped flagels onto the prepared baking sheet. Give them a little space so they can bake evenly.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Pop them into the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for that gorgeous golden brown color and to make sure they’re cooked all the way through.
- Cool Down: Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before you dig in. They’re delicious warm, but be careful – they’ll be hot!
Substitutions & Additions
Feeling adventurous? I love that about you! Here are some ways to make these flagels your own:
- Flour Power: If you don’t have whole wheat flour, you can use all-purpose flour for both. Or, try swapping some with oat flour for a different texture!
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, or even a dash of smoked paprika to the dry ingredients for a savory twist.
- Cheesy Delight: Mix in a tablespoon or two of shredded cheese (like cheddar or parmesan) into the dough for extra flavor.
- Herb Garden: Fresh chopped herbs like chives or parsley folded into the dough are delightful!
Tips for Success
Let’s make sure these turn out perfectly every time. Here are a few little secrets I’ve picked up:
- Don’t Overmix: While you want a smooth dough, overmixing can lead to tough flagels. Just mix until everything is combined and the dough comes together.
- Sticky Dough Woes: If your dough is stubbornly sticky, resist the urge to dump in a ton of extra flour. A little at a time, and a lightly floured surface for kneading, should do the trick.
- Uniform Shapes: Try to make your dough ropes roughly the same thickness. This helps them bake evenly, so you don’t have some done before others.
- Prep Ahead: You can mix the dough, cover it, and refrigerate it for a few hours before shaping and baking if you need to break up the process.
How to Store It
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store your cooled flagels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. If you want to keep them longer, pop them in the refrigerator. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 2-3 months. Just let them thaw at room temperature or gently reheat them in the oven or toaster.
FAQs
Got a burning question? I’ve got you covered!
- Can I make these gluten-free? While this recipe isn’t designed to be gluten-free, you could try experimenting with a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. You might need to adjust the liquid a bit.
- Can I eat these savory or sweet? They’re fantastic savory! Try them toasted with a schmear of cream cheese, avocado, or even some smoked salmon. For a slightly sweeter option, a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar could be nice.
- What’s a “flagel”? A flagel is essentially a flat bagel! They bake up a bit quicker and have a slightly different texture than a traditional boiled and baked bagel.
High Protein Spinach Cottage Cheese Flagels
These high protein spinach cottage cheese flagels are a quick and easy treat, perfect for busy mornings or as a homemade gift. They are packed with goodness and taste delicious.
Equipment
- Food processor or blender
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment paper or oil for greasing
- Large bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons water if needed
- oil for greasing or parchment paper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line or grease a baking sheet.
- In a food processor or blender, combine spinach and cottage cheese. Blend until smooth.2 cups fresh spinach
- In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, and salt.2 cups fresh spinach
- Pour the spinach and cottage cheese mixture into the dry ingredients. Add eggs and olive oil.2 cups fresh spinach
- Mix until a dough forms. Add a little more flour if too sticky, or a tablespoon of water if too dry.2 cups fresh spinach
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 1-2 minutes until smooth.2 cups fresh spinach
- Divide dough into four equal pieces. Roll each into an 8-10 inch rope.
- Shape each rope into a bagel shape, pinching the ends together.
- Place flagels on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them.2 cups fresh spinach
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
You can make these flagels savory or sweet. Try them toasted with cream cheese, avocado, or smoked salmon. For a sweeter option, drizzle with honey or sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.