Tasty Jalapeño Protein Bagels

Featured in: Homemade Bread

These protein-loaded jalapeño bagels mix just enough spice with tangy cheddar for a filling breakfast or sandwich foundation. Created with Greek yogurt instead of yeast, they're ready in 30 minutes flat. The mixture contains fresh chopped jalapeños and sharp cheddar, with extra cheese and jalapeño pieces on top for added punch. Each bagel packs 12g of protein, making them a smart pick for a hearty breakfast or lunch. They work with many toppings - try cream cheese, use for sandwiches, or just toast them with butter. They'll keep up to four days and taste great warm or toasted.
punchofyummy
Updated on Sun, 13 Apr 2025 16:34:19 GMT
A table full of delicious looking bagels with cheese and jalapenos on top. Pin it
A table full of delicious looking bagels with cheese and jalapenos on top. | pinchofyummy.com

Make your own Tiny High-Protein Cheddar Jalapeño Bagels at home instead of running to the store. These chewy, protein-loaded treats blend tangy cheddar with fiery jalapeños in each mouthful, striking a lovely flavor balance that'll transform your morning meals. They're done in just half an hour, giving you a fast answer for hectic mornings while still tasting amazing and keeping you full.

I wasn't sure about skipping the boiling part the first time I tried making these. But when my whole family ate them all before I could even sit down, I knew I'd found something awesome. They've become our weekend thing now, and everyone jumps in to add their favorite stuff on top.

Bagel Must-Haves

  • All-Purpose Flour: Makes the bagels just right - chewy outside, soft inside with great texture.
  • Greek Yogurt: Packs in protein and keeps everything moist for soft, tasty bagels.
  • Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Creates yummy pockets of cheese throughout, making every bite super flavorful.
  • Fresh Jalapeños: Adds bright green color and lets you control how spicy you want them.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the bagels puff up without needing yeast, so they're way faster to make.

Putting It All Together

Getting Started:
Throw all your dry stuff in a big bowl and whisk it really well to spread out the baking powder. This step can't be skipped if you want your bagels to rise evenly and get that awesome texture.
Making Your Dough:
Mix in the Greek yogurt with the flour blend, working it in slowly until everything sticks together. You'll see it turn into a slightly tacky dough that's going to become your amazing bagels.
Forming Perfect Circles:
Cut your dough into even chunks, roll each into a ball. Make the classic bagel shape by poking your thumb through the middle and gently pulling the hole wider.
Making Them Look Amazing:
Brush some beaten egg all over until they're shiny, then load them up with extra cheese and sliced jalapeños. This gives you a golden brown outside with melty cheese spots and bright green peppers.
A plate of bagels with jalapenos on top. Pin it
A plate of bagels with jalapenos on top. | pinchofyummy.com

When I was a kid in our always-on-the-go family, we needed quick breakfast ideas that worked. These bagels became our go-to solution - mom would make twice as many every Sunday, and we'd eat them all week long. Even now, the smell of bagels in the oven takes me right back to those special family mornings.

Ways To Enjoy

Make these tasty bagels into a full meal by adding fluffy scrambled eggs and some crispy bacon on top. If you want something lighter, try them with whipped cream cheese and sliced avocado. They make perfect mini breakfast sandwiches when you're rushing out the door, or pair them with a hot bowl of soup for lunch.

Mix It Up

Change these bagels to match what you like eating. Swap out jalapeños for roasted red peppers if you can't handle heat. Throw some cooked bacon pieces into the dough for amazing smoky flavor. Make an 'everything' version by sprinkling on sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and dried garlic. Or try different cheese combos like pepper jack with mozzarella if you're crazy about cheese.

Keeping Them Tasty

Keep your bagels fresh by putting them in a sealed container once they've cooled down - they'll stay good up to four days. For longer storage, wrap each one in plastic and toss them in the freezer for up to three months. Get that fresh-baked taste back by popping frozen bagels in the toaster until they're warm and golden.

Breakfast Made Better

Jump-start your day by warming these bagels until the cheese gets a bit melty. The smell of hot cheese and spicy peppers will get everyone out of bed fast. Set up different toppings for a fun weekend family breakfast where everyone can build their own perfect bagel.

Energy Boost

These bagels are loaded with protein, so they're great before a workout or after hitting the gym. The mix of Greek yogurt and cheese gives you energy that lasts through your morning without crashing.

Easy Substitutions

Tweak this recipe for any dietary needs without losing flavor. Try gluten-free flour if you can't have gluten. Use non-dairy yogurt and vegan cheese for a plant-based version. Control the heat by adding more or less jalapeños depending on what you can handle.

A table full of bagels with jalapenos on top. Pin it
A table full of bagels with jalapenos on top. | pinchofyummy.com

After making batch after batch to get these just right, I've found these bagels aren't just a quick breakfast fix - they bring comfort to crazy mornings. Whether you eat them hot from the oven or toasted up days later, each bagel gives you that perfect mix of protein, spice, and cheese that makes breakfast feel like the best part of your day.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Do I need to use yeast for these bagels?
Nope, these bagels work with baking powder and Greek yogurt instead of yeast, so they come together much faster.
→ How spicy are these bagels?
They've got a medium kick that you can tweak by adding more or fewer jalapeños or taking out the seeds if you want them milder.
→ Can I freeze these bagels?
Sure thing, they freeze great. Just let them cool down, cut them in half, and pop them in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Toast them after thawing.
→ Why is my dough too sticky?
When your dough feels too sticky, just mix in more flour a teaspoon at a time until it's easier to handle.
→ Can I make these without cheese?
You can skip the cheese for fewer dairy ingredients, but you'll still have Greek yogurt in your dough.

Jalapeño Protein Bagels

Speedy homemade bagels full of protein, tangy cheddar, and fresh jalapeños. Skip the yeast - they're done in only 30 minutes.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Amelia

Category: Homemade Bread

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 10 Servings (8 bagels)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Dough Base

01 White flour (3 cups)
02 Leavening agent (5¼ teaspoons)
03 Unflavored Greek yogurt (2 cups)
04 Coarse kitchen salt (1 teaspoon)

→ Flavoring and Toppings

05 Grated strong cheddar (½ cup, with extra for garnishing)
06 Finely chopped fresh jalapeños (¼ cup)
07 Slender jalapeño rings for decoration (20-24 pieces)
08 Powdered garlic (⅛ teaspoon)
09 Whisked large egg (for coating)

Instructions

Step 01

Get your oven going at 375°F with the rack right in the middle. Put parchment on a baking tray and leave it nearby.

Step 02

Grab a big bowl and throw in your flour, leavening agent, salt, and garlic powder. Toss in the chopped jalapeños and grated cheddar until they're scattered throughout.

Step 03

Pour the Greek yogurt onto your dry mix and stir it all together. Don't be shy about using your hands to get it right. If it feels too sticky, add a bit more flour. Too crumbly? Splash in some water.

Step 04

Move the dough to a clean counter and cut it into 8 same-sized chunks. Roll each into a ball, then poke your thumb through and work it into a ring. Let them sit on your tray for 5-10 minutes.

Step 05

Swipe each bagel with egg wash, sprinkle more cheese if you want, and lay on the jalapeño rings. Stick them in the oven for 12-15 minutes till they're golden. Let them cool on a wire stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

Notes

  1. You can switch things up by adding sesame seeds or everything bagel mix on top.
  2. They'll stay fresh in a sealed container for about 4 days.
  3. They're great cut open for sandwiches or smeared with cream cheese.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big mixing bowl
  • Cookie sheet
  • Oven paper
  • Cooling grid
  • Food brush

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Has milk products (Greek yogurt and cheddar)
  • Contains egg
  • Made with wheat (flour)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 229
  • Total Fat: 5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 34 g
  • Protein: 12 g