Cinnamon Swirl Protein Bagels (Printable version)

Wholesome soft bagels with cinnamon swirl and creamy vanilla Greek yogurt glaze for a satisfying breakfast or snack.

# What you need:

→ For the Bagels

01 - 2 cups bread flour
02 - 1 cup vanilla protein powder
03 - 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
04 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
05 - 1 teaspoon salt
06 - 1 cup warm water
07 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

→ For the Cinnamon Swirl

08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
09 - ¼ cup brown sugar
10 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

→ For Boiling

11 - 2 quarts water
12 - 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup

→ For the Vanilla Greek Yogurt Glaze

13 - ½ cup Greek yogurt
14 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
15 - ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
16 - 1 to 2 teaspoons milk

# Steps to follow:

01 - In a large bowl, combine bread flour, protein powder, sugar, and salt.
02 - In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water at 110°F. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
03 - Add yeast mixture and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
04 - Knead dough on a floured surface for 6 to 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
05 - Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 30 to 40 minutes until doubled in size.
06 - Mix softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon to create the swirl filling.
07 - Punch down dough and roll into a 10 by 14 inch rectangle.
08 - Spread cinnamon mixture evenly over the dough surface.
09 - Roll up dough tightly from the long side and cut into 8 equal pieces.
10 - Shape each piece into a ball, poke a hole through the center, and gently stretch into a bagel shape.
11 - Place shaped bagels on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes.
12 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
13 - Bring 2 quarts water and 2 tablespoons honey to a gentle boil. Boil each bagel 30 seconds per side and return to baking sheet.
14 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
15 - Whisk Greek yogurt, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.
16 - Drizzle glaze over cooled bagels before serving.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • High protein content with 12 grams per bagel makes these perfect for post-workout fuel or a satisfying breakfast
  • Soft and chewy texture rivals your favorite bakery bagels while being more nutritious
  • Beautiful cinnamon swirl adds visual appeal and warm, comforting flavor throughout
  • Vanilla Greek yogurt glaze provides creamy sweetness without heavy frosting
  • Freezer-friendly for convenient meal prep and quick breakfasts throughout the week
  • Vegetarian-friendly and customizable with your favorite protein powder
02 -
  • Use bread flour rather than all-purpose flour for the best chewy texture and structure
  • Ensure water temperature is around 110°F (43°C)—too hot will kill the yeast, too cool won't activate it
  • Don't skip the boiling step as this creates the signature bagel crust and chewiness
  • Roll the dough tightly when creating the cinnamon swirl to prevent gaps and ensure even distribution
  • Let bagels cool completely before adding the glaze to prevent it from melting and becoming too thin
  • For extra shine, brush bagels with an egg wash (1 beaten egg) before baking
  • Freeze bagels without glaze and add it fresh after thawing for best texture and appearance
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