Name: High-Protein Cottage Cheese Italian Herb Bagel Bread
Ingredients: You will need the following ingredients to make this easy savory loaf.; Cottage Cheese; Use 1 cup (225 grams) of cottage cheese. This ingredient contributes moisture, protein, and a creamy texture.; Small-curd or large-curd cottage cheese can work. Blending it with the eggs helps create a smoother batter and distributes the cottage cheese throughout the loaf.; If your cottage cheese contains a lot of visible liquid, check the consistency before mixing. Excess liquid can make the batter too wet and affect the finished texture.; Eggs; Use 2 large eggs. Eggs help bind the ingredients and provide structure as the bread bakes.; For more even mixing, allow refrigerated eggs to sit at room temperature briefly before preparing the batter.; Grated Parmesan Cheese; You will need ½ cup (50 grams) of grated Parmesan cheese.; Parmesan adds a savory, slightly nutty flavor and helps create a delicious cheesy aroma. Finely grated Parmesan is particularly convenient because it distributes evenly throughout the batter.; Shredded Mozzarella Cheese; Use ½ cup (55 grams) of shredded mozzarella.; Mozzarella adds mild flavor and a soft, cheesy texture. Pre-shredded mozzarella is convenient, while freshly grated mozzarella may melt more smoothly.; All-Purpose Flour; Use 1 cup (125 grams) of all-purpose flour.; Flour provides the structure needed to turn the wet mixture into a sliceable loaf. Measure it accurately, preferably using a kitchen scale.; Adding too much flour can make the bread dense and dry, while too little may leave it overly soft or difficult to slice.; Baking Powder; Use 1 teaspoon of baking powder.; This leavening agent helps the loaf rise during baking. Make sure your baking powder is fresh for the best results.; Italian Seasoning; Use 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning.; This dried herb blend typically includes herbs such as oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. The exact ingredients vary by brand.; Garlic Powder; Use ½ teaspoon of garlic powder for a savory garlic flavor.; Garlic powder blends evenly into the batter and complements the cheese and herbs.; Salt; Use ¼ teaspoon of salt.; Parmesan already contains salt, so this modest amount helps balance the flavor without making the bread excessively salty.

Ingredients

Scale

You will need the following ingredients to make this easy savory loaf.

Cottage Cheese

Use 1 cup (225 grams) of cottage cheese. This ingredient contributes moisture, protein, and a creamy texture.

Small-curd or large-curd cottage cheese can work. Blending it with the eggs helps create a smoother batter and distributes the cottage cheese throughout the loaf.

If your cottage cheese contains a lot of visible liquid, check the consistency before mixing. Excess liquid can make the batter too wet and affect the finished texture.

Eggs

Use 2 large eggs. Eggs help bind the ingredients and provide structure as the bread bakes.

For more even mixing, allow refrigerated eggs to sit at room temperature briefly before preparing the batter.

Grated Parmesan Cheese

You will need ½ cup (50 grams) of grated Parmesan cheese.

Parmesan adds a savory, slightly nutty flavor and helps create a delicious cheesy aroma. Finely grated Parmesan is particularly convenient because it distributes evenly throughout the batter.

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Use ½ cup (55 grams) of shredded mozzarella.

Mozzarella adds mild flavor and a soft, cheesy texture. Pre-shredded mozzarella is convenient, while freshly grated mozzarella may melt more smoothly.

All-Purpose Flour

Use 1 cup (125 grams) of all-purpose flour.

Flour provides the structure needed to turn the wet mixture into a sliceable loaf. Measure it accurately, preferably using a kitchen scale.

Adding too much flour can make the bread dense and dry, while too little may leave it overly soft or difficult to slice.

Baking Powder

Use 1 teaspoon of baking powder.

This leavening agent helps the loaf rise during baking. Make sure your baking powder is fresh for the best results.

Italian Seasoning

Use 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning.

This dried herb blend typically includes herbs such as oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. The exact ingredients vary by brand.

Garlic Powder

Use ½ teaspoon of garlic powder for a savory garlic flavor.

Garlic powder blends evenly into the batter and complements the cheese and herbs.

Salt

Use ¼ teaspoon of salt.

Parmesan already contains salt, so this modest amount helps balance the flavor without making the bread excessively salty.

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Line a small loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides if possible. This makes it easier to lift the bread out after baking.

If your loaf pan is unusually small or deep, the batter may need additional baking time. Choose a pan that allows the batter to sit comfortably without reaching the rim.

Step 2: Blend the Cottage Cheese and Eggs

Place the cottage cheese and eggs in a blender or food processor.

Blend until the mixture is relatively smooth and creamy. This step helps break down the cottage cheese curds and creates a more uniform batter.

You do not need to blend the mixture for an extended period. Stop once the ingredients are combined and the texture is smooth enough for easy mixing.

If you prefer a slightly more rustic bread with visible cottage cheese curds, you can mix the ingredients by hand instead. The final texture will be somewhat different.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt.

Stir the ingredients together to distribute the baking powder and seasonings evenly.

Mixing the dry ingredients separately helps prevent concentrated pockets of salt, herbs, or baking powder in the finished loaf.

Step 4: Mix the Wet and Dry Ingredients

Pour the blended cottage cheese and egg mixture into the bowl containing the dry ingredients.

Stir gently until the flour is incorporated and no large dry patches remain.

The batter should be thick and moist rather than as firm as traditional kneaded bread dough. Avoid overmixing, as excessive mixing can develop the gluten in the flour and produce a tougher texture.

Step 5: Fold in the Parmesan and Mozzarella

Add the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella to the batter.

Fold the cheese in with a spatula until it is evenly distributed. Try not to stir more than necessary.

The Parmesan adds a rich, savory flavor, while the mozzarella provides mild cheesy richness throughout the bread.

If you enjoy a stronger herb flavor, you can add a small pinch of extra Italian seasoning at this stage.

Step 6: Transfer the Batter to the Loaf Pan

Spoon the mixture into your prepared loaf pan.

Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly and smooth the surface. An even layer helps the loaf bake more consistently.

If desired, sprinkle a little additional Parmesan or mozzarella over the top. This optional topping can create a more pronounced cheesy crust.

Step 7: Bake Until Golden

Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30–40 minutes.

The exact baking time will depend on your oven, pan dimensions, and the moisture content of your cottage cheese.

Look for a golden top and a loaf that feels set in the center. Insert a toothpick or thin skewer into the middle. It should come out without wet batter clinging to it.

If the top becomes golden before the center is cooked, loosely cover it with foil and continue baking until done.

For food safety, the center should reach 160°F (71°C) because this bread contains eggs. A food thermometer provides a more reliable check than color alone.

Step 8: Cool Before Slicing

Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes.

Carefully lift it out using the parchment paper and transfer it to a cooling rack.

Allowing the bread to cool helps the interior set and makes it easier to slice neatly. Cutting into it while it is extremely hot can cause the soft center to crumble or compress.