High-Protein Cinnamon Raisin Bagels (Print)

Soft, chewy bagels with cinnamon, raisins, and a tangy yogurt glaze for a nourishing start.

# Components:

→ Bagel Dough

01 - 3½ cups bread flour
02 - ¾ cup vanilla or unflavored whey protein powder
03 - 2¼ tsp instant yeast
04 - 1¼ cups warm water
05 - 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
06 - 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
07 - 1½ tsp salt
08 - ¾ cup raisins

→ Bagel Boil

09 - 2 quarts water
10 - 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar

→ Greek Yogurt Glaze

11 - ½ cup Greek yogurt
12 - 2 tbsp powdered sugar
13 - ½ tsp vanilla extract
14 - Pinch of ground cinnamon

# Directions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and honey. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
02 - Stir in bread flour, protein powder, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
03 - Add raisins and knead by hand or with a dough hook for 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Add a little extra flour if sticky.
04 - Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
05 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
06 - Punch down dough and divide into 8 equal pieces. Shape each into a ball, then poke a hole in the center and stretch to form a bagel shape.
07 - Bring 2 quarts of water and 1 tbsp honey to a gentle boil in a large pot.
08 - Carefully boil bagels in batches for 45 seconds per side. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on the prepared baking sheet.
09 - Bake for 18–20 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool completely.
10 - Whisk Greek yogurt, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until smooth. Drizzle over cooled bagels just before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They taste indulgently soft and chewy without the post-breakfast energy crash that usually follows.
  • The protein powder disappears completely into the dough, leaving just the warm cinnamon-raisin flavor you're craving.
  • One bagel actually keeps you full because of the 13 grams of protein hiding inside.
02 -
  • The boiling step is non-negotiable and creates that signature chewy crust; skip it and you'll end up with dense round bread, not a real bagel.
  • Don't glaze the bagels while they're still warm or the glaze will melt and run everywhere—cooling them completely makes all the difference in presentation and texture.
  • Protein powder brands vary wildly in density, so if your dough is too sticky, add flour one tablespoon at a time rather than following any recipe blindly.
03 -
  • If your dough is fighting you during shaping, let each piece rest for five minutes under a towel before stretching—it relaxes the gluten and makes shaping effortless.
  • The boil water temperature should be gentle and steady, not a rolling boil; aggressive boiling can cause bagels to split open and look ragged.
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