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There’s nothing like biting into a warm bagel with cream cheese. So, when I started low carb, I knew I’d need an easy Keto Bagels recipe. These are made with a modified fathead pizza dough & include a special ingredient for a chewier result. They only require 15 minutes of hands-on time and can be paired with a wide range of keto-friendly toppings for a quick breakfast or brunch.
Why Make This
- Cuts the carbs: When I was writing my dissertation, I often “rewarded” my effort by grabbing a Nova Lox sandwich on an Everything Bagel. Little did I know, the bagel had at least 56g of net carbs. This easy recipe has about 5g.
- Easy to make: this recipe is actually super simple. In fact, these have just four main steps – heat the cheeses, mix the dough, chill and bake.
Ingredients Needed
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: you’ll want to get the packaged, low moisture kind. The mozzarella that comes in liquid does not work for this recipe.
- Cream Cheese: I use full fat cream cheese
- Onion Salt: I’m using a specific brand (Trader Joes). This mix is not like other onion salt. Instead, I notice it tastes like a lightly seasoned onion powder. If you don’t have access to that one, you can mix 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp parsley to use as a replacement
- Psyllium Husk: this is optional, but after making this keto bagels recipe a lot, this helps to give the bagels structure and make them chewier (something that real bagels are)
- Almond Flour: I‘m using super fine, blanched almond flour
- Baking Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Egg
Bagel Toppings
- Everything Bagel Seasoning: You can just sprinkle the seasoning on top. You can also substitute this with things like sesame seeds and dried onion flakes.
- Egg: the egg wash helps to give the bagels a shiny finish.
How to Make Bagels with Fathead Dough:
This post includes a video with step-by-step instructions for how to make fathead dough. You can watch the video in the recipe card to see me make them. But a summary of the steps are as follows:
- Melt & mix the cheeses: this requires a few rounds on heating the cheese in the microwave and stirring it.
- Mix in the eggs, flour, and psyllium husk to form a dough
- Allow the dough to chill
- Form the bagels & bake
Top Tips & FAQs
- Get low moisture shredded mozzarella: the cheese that comes in liquid does not work ij this recipe.
- Use the psyllium husk or a donut mold: The psyllium husk gives the bagel more structure (more details below). When i made this recipe without it, I used a donut mold. If you don’t have either, psyllium is a substitute for xanthan gum so xanthan gum could be a replacement (I just personally haven’t tried it in this recipe)
Bagel Toppings
My goal was to make a low carb Nova Lox bagel sandwich. So, the recipe in the card is savory. For a savory bagel, you can add things like:
- Cream Cheese
- Nova Lox or Smoked Salmon
- Sliced Vegetables
- Eggs & Bacon
- Pizza Sauce & Cheese – similar to what I did in these Low Carb Pizza Bagels
Purpose of Psyllium Husk:
I first shared this recipe nearly two years ago. And, after some testing, I’ve realized that I prefer to include psyllium husk, an ingredient you may not have in your pantry. Some reasons that I use psyllium husk are:
- Gives a more bread-like texture
- Provides structure – without a donut mold, sometimes, traditional fathead dough bagels flatten when cooked
Keto Bagels Recipe Variations
Even though these bagels are savory, you can also use this recipe to make sweet fathead dough bagels. For example, you can omit the spices and replace them with 1 tablespoon of keto sweetener and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. If you make a sweet bagel, you can top it with:
- Cream Cheese
- Sliced Berries
- Keto Jam
Using Coconut Flour:
You cannot substitute coconut flour 1:1 for the almond flour in this recipe. Instead, I’d recommend that you try a recipe that was specifically tested with coconut flour if you need to. These coconut flour bagels are well-rated. I’ve personally used this coconut flour flatbread mix with success.
Generally, grain-free bagels have the least amount of carbs because they do not have flour.
Yes! This recipe is 5g net carbs.
Regular whole wheat bagels use whole wheat flour, which results in them having at least 56g net carbs. So, this wouldn’t fit a keto way of eating since most people following keto have 20g of net carbs or less per day to stay in ketosis. Plus, most carbs on keto come from vegetables.
Recipes to Enjoy This With:
- Air Fryer Bacon: add eggs, cheese and bacon to make a bagel breakfast sandwich.
- Keto Tuna Salad: use the bagels as the base for a tuna salad sandwich
More Keto Bread Recipes:
If you try this recipe, please stop back and leave it a star rating and/or a review in the comments. Stay connected & share photos of your creations with me & others on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!
Keto Bagels Recipe (Fathead Dough Bagels)
Use DRDAVINAHS at checkout to save on some equipment & ingredients!
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, low moisture
- 2 oz Cream Cheese
- 1 tbsp Baking Powder
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 2 tsp onion salt, I use the one from Trader Joes because it has a blend of onion powder, salt, and parsley. It is also pretty low in salt. If you don't have that one – you can substitute – 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp parsley.
- 1 tbsp psyllium husk, optional, but it makes the bagel more bread-like
- 3/4 cup Almond Flour
- 1 Eggs, beaten
Bagel Toppings
- 1 tbsp Everything Bagel Seasoning, You can just sprinkle the seasoning on top. I used about 1/2 tsp per bagel.
- 1 Eggs, beat this and use it for the egg wash
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
- Mix almond flour with baking powder, garlic powder, onion salt and psyllium husk. Set aside.
- Add mozzarella and cream cheese to a large microwave safe mixing bowl
- Heat the cheeses in the microwave for 45 seconds
- Use a mixing spatula to incorporate the cheese
- Heat the cheese mixture again for 45 seconds
- Add the almond flour mixture and the egg to the cheese mixture.
- Mix until well incorporated and a ball of dough forms
- Cover the ball of dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 10 minutes. This allowed the dough to firm up a bit more and cool down.
- Split the dough into 4-5 balls. Use your finger to press a hole in the center.
- Add the bagels to a baking sheet and brush each bagel with the egg wash
- Sprinkle your preferred seasoning to the top of each bagel. I used Everything Bagel from Trader Joes.
- Cook the bagels for 15 minutes or until the tops of the bagels are golden
- Optional: Slice the bagels in half and toast them in a heated griddle pan or skillet. Simply add a thin coat of cooking spray (I use Coconut Oil Spray) and place the bagel halves inside down into the pan. Allow the bagels to brown on the inside (~1 minute)
Recipe Notes
- If you need to make this recipe with Coconut Flour – please see the post for a recipe option or purchase this coconut flour flatbread mix.
- If you don’t use psyllium husk – I recommend making the bagels in a donut mold. It’ll help the bagels keep their shape as they cook.
Nutrition Details
The nutrition facts come from entering the recipe ingredients into Spoonacular API, a database of food ingredients. They may vary for any recipe based on the exact product used. The keto sweeteners I use have 0g net carbs & are not included because sugar alcohols do not impact most people. This is provided as a courtesy, but you can do your own calculations if you wish!
Stephanie T. says
This were so easy to make and delicious! I used them for a breakfast sandwich. I followed the directions as listed. I honestly can’t get over how easy these were!
10/10 will make them again! Next time I will try a blueberry version!
Dr. Davinah's Eats Team says
We’re so happy that you enjoyed this recipe. 🙂
Bri says
These are great! A little different than a regular bagel, but pretty darn close and absolutely delicious! I used the flax meal instead of the psyllium husk.
Dr. Davinah's Eats Team says
Thank you so much for trying our recipe. We’re glad you enjoyed it.
theninerdomestic says
These are SO good! Finally a low carb bagel recipe that will become a staple in my household.
Dr. Davinah's Eats Team says
Thank you so much for trying our recipe. We’re glad you enjoyed it.
Saige says
These were DELICIOUS!! Thank you so much for this recipe! I was craving Lox bagels and this recipe was perfect to fit into my keto diet. <3
Dr. Davinah's Eats Team says
You’re welcome! We’re so glad you liked it.
Gabriela Macias says
Can these be made ahead and stored?
Davinah says
Hi Gabriela,
Yes – I make these ahead and store them in the refrigerator. I tend to “toast” them by cutting them in half and placing them in a hot pan though before eating them.
Thanks,
Davinah
Julia Isrel says
I rarely make comments on recipes, BUT this recipe is AMAZING! I have been keto for almost two years and I’ve tried many bagel recipes. This one is absolutely perfection! It’s an easy and quick recipe and I can’t say enough about it! If you’re looking for a great bagel – this is your recipe!!!! I have great pics but don’t know how to post them!!! Someone let me know!!
Dr. Davinah's Eats Team says
We really appreciate you stopping back to write such a thoughtful review Julia! We’re so happy that you enjoyed this recipe.
Jen says
Made five beautiful bagels that had wonderful texture and flavor. I cooled in fridge before slicing and toasted on pan and used as a bun for some tuna fish and avocado. Heavenly. Sprinkled with everything bagel seasoning on top before baking.
Deitra Haynes says
Delicious and simple! I sub flaxseed meal for the psyllium husk.
Davinah says
Hi Deitra,
Thanks a lot for sharing this tip about the flaxseed meal. I haven’t tried it in this recipe, but have found it works great in others for creating a breadlike texture! Glad you enjoyed it.
Best,
Davinah
Dara says
Think I could sub ground flaxmeal for the psyllium?
Davinah says
Hi Dara,
I haven’t tried this, but have seen lots of recipes that use flax meal to add structure. Let me know if that works for you.
Best,
Davinah
Leah Temple says
Great bagels! I made them a second time and replaced garlic and onion seasoning with cinnamon and a tablespoon of Golden Lakanto brown sugar. Sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon on top. FABULOUS!
Davinah says
Hi Leah!
I’m so happy that you tested out the sweet version and enjoyed it too! Thanks for returning back and leaving this comment and rating!
Best,
Davinah
Tara says
The flavor was fantastic but mine ended up really flat :-/. I didnt have pre-shredded mozzarella (I dont use it as it often comes coated in potato starch or other hidden carbs that are anti-caking agents). Would you mind sharing with me the weight of your 1.5 c. mozzarella and of the 3/4 c. almond flour, if you are able to? I think maybe the variability of measurement was the problem. Flavor was great though! I’ll definitely make them again, trying to figure out how to get that beautiful rise you have.
Also is nutritional info for the dough making 4 servings or 5?
Davinah says
Hi Tara! I don’t have the weights. However, one possibility is that by swapping out the pre-shredded mozzarella, there may have been too much moisture. Do you have a low-moisture option? Other tips to trouble shoot this:
-You could put the dough in the refrigerator to give it some time to firm up.
-Add the psyllium husk since it tends to collect extra moisture and expand.
-Use a donut mold to help the bagels keep their shape as they cook.
Lastly, the nutritional info and recipe card are for 5.
Sue says
Saw this on instagram – came to your website (which I really love!) and made them tonight. They are really delicious – best “keto” bagel I have made.
Thanks for sharing your recipes!
Davinah says
Hi Sue!
Thank you so much for taking the time to rate this! I’m so very happy that you enjoyed them and love my blog!
Best,
Davinah
Steffany says
The easiest to make! Made it this last week and it was a success. I think once the bagels are cold the bread consistency is better. Anyways, ate it with a fried egg and avocado Thanks
Davinah says
Hi Steffany!
That’s an awesome tip. Sounds great with the egg and avocado! Glad you enjoyed them!
Best,
Davinah
Rocio says
Thank you!!!!
Davinah Smith says
So welcome! Thank you for visiting my site!
Manu says
Thank you, I had been craving a hamburger so made these as buns instead. They were perfect! I added the garlic powder/onion salt/baking powder at the same time as almond and egg.
Davinah Smith says
Hi! Thanks a lot for sharing that! I’m so happy that you loved them like we did. I’ll definitely have to use this for buns next time!