Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Crack 2 eggs into a small bowl and beat them well until the yolks and whites are fully combined—this ensures an even, golden crust on your bagels. Arrange your desired toppings (sesame seeds, everything bagel seasoning, poppy seeds, and shredded asiago cheese) in separate small bowls for easy access during assembly.

Blend the cottage cheese in a food processor or blender until completely smooth—this creates a tender crumb and ensures even mixing. In a large bowl, combine the smooth cottage cheese, self-rising flour, and salt. Stir until the ingredients just come together into a shaggy dough. I like to use King Arthur self-rising flour because it gives a noticeably better rise and more tender texture than other brands.

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently 8-10 times until it comes together smoothly—don't overwork it or the bagels will be tough. Divide the dough into 4 equal portions and roll each into a ball. Take each ball and roll it into a 6-7 inch rope, then carefully join the ends together to form a ring shape, pinching where they meet to seal.

Place the shaped bagels on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Brush each bagel generously with the beaten egg from Step 1, making sure to coat all sides evenly. Immediately sprinkle your choice of toppings (or a combination) onto each wet bagel—the egg acts as an adhesive to help them stick. I prefer Good Culture cottage cheese because its thicker consistency makes the dough easier to handle and produces a better structure.

Place the baking sheet in your preheated 375°F oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the bagels are puffed and golden brown on top. The bagels are done when they sound slightly hollow when tapped on the bottom. Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack.

Allow the bagels to cool for 15 minutes before serving. This resting time lets the crumb set properly so they hold their shape when sliced and won't be too hot to handle. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally toasted and topped with cream cheese or your favorite spread.

For an air fryer method, heat to 350°F and arrange the seasoned bagels (from Step 4) in a single layer in the air fryer basket without crowding. Cook for 12-14 minutes until golden brown, shaking the basket halfway through for even cooking. Check for doneness and add a minute or two if needed depending on your air fryer model.