Cottage Cheese And Everything Bagel Crackers

As a home cook, I’ve often found myself juggling the need for convenience with the desire to eat healthy, wholesome meals. My solution lies in batch cooking and meal prep, where I can spend a few hours at the weekend whipping up a week’s worth of nutritious food. One dish that never fails to impress is my Cottage Cheese and Everything Bagel Crackers, a budget-friendly meal that’s both delicious and packed with protein. In this article, I’ll show you how to make this recipe, share my top tips for success, and even provide some ideas for variations to keep things interesting.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Servings: 4-6
• Difficulty: Easy

Why You’ll Love This Cottage Cheese and Everything Bagel Crackers

• Packed with protein, this dish is perfect for post-workout snacks or lunchboxes
• It’s budget-friendly, with a cost per serving that’s hard to beat
• The combination of creamy cottage cheese and crunchy crackers is a match made in heaven
• This recipe is easy to scale up or down, making it perfect for meal prep or special occasions
• The best part? You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to three days, making this a great option for busy households

Cottage Cheese and Everything Bagel Crackers

15 min prep  ·  17 min cook  ·  4 servings

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Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup everything bagel crumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon dried dill weed

Tip: You can also use plain Greek yogurt or ricotta cheese as a substitute for cottage cheese.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Large frying pan or skillet
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Mixing bowls
• Wooden spoon or spatula

Instructions

1. In a large frying pan or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the everything bagel crumbs and cook, stirring occasionally, until they’re lightly toasted and fragrant (about 5 minutes).
2. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool slightly. Add the cottage cheese, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, parsley, and dill weed. Stir until the cheese is smooth and free of lumps.
3. Using a spoon or spatula, drop small balls of the cottage cheese mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each ball. You should end up with around 12-15 balls.
4. Bake the cheese balls in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and firm to the touch.
5. Remove the cheese balls from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Once the cheese balls are cool, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days or freeze for up to two months.
7. When you’re ready to serve, simply place a few cheese balls on a plate or in a container and serve with a side of crackers or veggies.

Tips From My Kitchen

• Don’t overmix the cottage cheese mixture: This will result in a tough, rubbery texture that’s not pleasant to eat. Instead, stir just until the cheese is smooth and free of lumps.
• Use the right type of crackers: You want crackers that are sturdy enough to hold up to the creamy cheese, but not so crunchy that they overpower it. Everything bagel crackers are a great choice here.
• Don’t skip the resting time: Allowing the cheese balls to cool and set will help them hold their shape and prevent them from crumbling when you serve them.
• Experiment with different seasoning combinations: The key to this recipe is the combination of flavors, so don’t be afraid to try out different seasoning combinations to find the one that works best for you.
• Make ahead and freeze: This recipe is perfect for meal prep, as you can make the cheese balls ahead of time and freeze them for up to two months. Simply thaw and serve when you’re ready.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcrowding the pan: This can cause the cheese balls to steam instead of brown, resulting in a greasy texture. To avoid this, make sure to cook the cheese balls in batches if necessary.
• Wrong temperature: If the oven is too hot, the cheese balls will brown too quickly and may even burn. To avoid this, make sure to check the temperature of your oven and adjust as needed.
• Skipping the rest time: As mentioned earlier, allowing the cheese balls to cool and set is crucial for their texture and shape. Skipping this step can result in a crumbly or messy texture.

Delicious Variations to Try

• Spicy Version: Add some heat to your cheese balls by sprinkling in some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
• Vegetarian/Vegan Option: Use a plant-based milk or yogurt instead of cottage cheese for a vegetarian or vegan version of this recipe.
• Different Protein: Swap out the cottage cheese for ricotta or Greek yogurt for a different protein-packed option.
• Fancy Up Your Cheese Balls: Try adding some chopped herbs or grated cheese to the cottage cheese mixture for an extra burst of flavor.

What to Serve With Cottage Cheese and Everything Bagel Crackers

• Apples or berries: A sweet and crunchy snack that pairs perfectly with the savory cheese balls.
• Cucumber slices: Refreshing and light, cucumber slices are a great accompaniment to the rich cheese balls.
• Carrot sticks: A crunchy and healthy snack that complements the creamy cheese perfectly.
• Tomato slices: Sweet and tangy, tomato slices add a burst of flavor to this humble snack.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cottage Cheese and Everything Bagel Crackers

A savory, low-carb snack made with cottage cheese and everything bagel crumbs, baked until golden and firm. Perfect for dipping or enjoying on their own.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 17 minutes mins

Total Time 32 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup everything bagel crumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon dried dill weed

Method

 

1. In a large frying pan or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the everything bagel crumbs and cook, stirring occasionally, until they're lightly toasted and fragrant (about 5 minutes).
2. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool slightly. Add the cottage cheese, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, parsley, and dill weed. Stir until the cheese is smooth and free of lumps.
3. Using a spoon or spatula, drop small balls of the cottage cheese mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each ball. You should end up with around 12-15 balls.
4. Bake the cheese balls in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until they're golden brown and firm to the touch.
5. Remove the cheese balls from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Once the cheese balls are cool, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days or freeze for up to two months.
7. When you're ready to serve, simply place a few cheese balls on a plate or in a container and serve with a side of crackers or veggies.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Serve with crackers or veggies.

I hope you enjoy these Cottage Cheese and Everything Bagel Crackers as much as I do! They’re a staple in my household, and I’m sure they’ll become one in yours too. Don’t forget to share your own variations and tips in the comments below, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need further guidance. Happy cooking!