I’ve been burned by low-carb bagel recipes before. Either they’re weirdly spongy, collapse into a puddle, or taste like cheesy scrambled eggs in ring form. But after tweaking the fathead formula, this version actually feels like a real bagel—chewy, golden, and satisfying enough that I don’t eye the bakery section with resentment.
These have been a lifesaver on busy mornings. I make a batch on Sunday, freeze the extras, and toast one up with cream cheese and smoked salmon while my kids inhale Pop-Tarts. No shame, no bloat, no blood sugar rollercoaster.
Why This One Works So Well
Typical fathead dough can be a mess—too sticky, too soft, or too cheesy. The fix? A few smart tweaks:
- Extra almond flour for structure.
- A bit more mozzarella than most versions use (3 cups is the magic number).
- Microwave in stages to avoid seizing the cheese.
- Pre-whisked egg wash for that golden bagel top.
The result? A solid, chewy texture that holds up to slicing, toasting, and schmearing.
What I Used (And Why It Worked)
- Blanched Almond Flour – You want fine, blanched stuff here. Don’t use almond meal—it’ll make the texture gritty and dense.
- Low Moisture Mozzarella (Pre-Shredded) – Melts without turning into soup. Skip the fresh kind—it’s too wet.
- Cream Cheese – Softens the dough and helps with stretch.
- Eggs – Two in the dough for binding, one for that shiny golden finish on top.
- Baking Powder – Gives a little lift and airiness so it’s not dense as a hockey puck.
- Everything Bagel Seasoning – Adds crunch and salty-garlicky flavor. I make my own to keep the carb count low and skip fillers.
Keto Swaps That Actually Work
Want a sweeter version?
- Ditch the garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning.
- Add cinnamon and a keto-friendly sweetener to the dough.
- Brush the tops with a cinnamon “sugar” mix (I use a monk fruit blend).
Craving variety?
- Sub poppy seeds, sesame seeds, or leave plain for sandwich versatility.
- Use them for keto breakfast sandwiches with egg, bacon, avocado—chef’s kiss.
What Went Sideways (And Why)
What I Got Wrong | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
---|---|---|
Bagels spread flat | Dough too hot or wet | Let the dough cool a minute before shaping. If still too soft, pop it in the fridge for 5–10 mins. |
Eggy flavor | Too many eggs or underbaked | Stick to 2 eggs in the dough and bake until golden on top. |
Rubbery texture | Cheese overheated | Microwave in short bursts. Stir between. Don’t nuke it to death. |
How to Make It (With Real-Life Cues)
- Preheat oven to 425°F and line your baking sheet. Parchment works best—don’t skip it or you’ll be scraping bagel bits off the pan.
- Mix your dry ingredients in a bowl: almond flour, baking powder, and seasonings.
- In another bowl, microwave mozzarella and cream cheese for 90 seconds. Stir, then another 60 seconds. Stir again until smooth.
- Add the almond flour mix and 2 eggs to the cheese mixture. Mix fast—it’ll be sticky. If it gets stringy or stiff, microwave for 20–30 seconds to loosen up.
- Divide into 6 portions. Roll into balls, poke a hole in the center, and shape into bagels.
- Whisk your 3rd egg and brush over the tops.
- Sprinkle generously with Everything Bagel Seasoning.
- Bake for 12–14 minutes. Tops should be deep golden, not pale yellow.
Texture check: Should feel set and bready—not jiggly or soft.

Smart Moves I Always Use
- I portion the dough with a scale—about 100g per bagel—to keep macros consistent.
- I microwave the cheese in two rounds to avoid overheating (saves you from gummy dough).
- I mix dry ingredients in bulk and store in a jar—bagels are 10 minutes faster this way.
Freezing + Reheating Without Ruining It
- Let cool completely before freezing. Wrap each bagel in parchment and toss into a freezer bag.
- Reheat straight from frozen in a toaster oven or air fryer—350°F for 6–8 minutes gets them crispy on the outside, warm inside.
- They don’t microwave well. They turn chewy-gummy. Trust me, I tried.
What I Googled Before Making This
Can I eat these on keto?
Yup—net 6g carbs per bagel. They’re filling too, so one goes a long way.
Do they taste like cheese?
Not really. The mozzarella is mild and just gives structure. Add more seasoning if you’re sensitive to dairy taste.
Can I use coconut flour?
Nope, not here. It’s way too absorbent. You’ll end up with dry, crumbly dough unless you completely rework the ratios.
🥯 Nutrition Facts (Per Bagel)
Nutrient | Amount |
---|---|
Calories | 449 kcal |
Total Fat | 35.5g |
– Saturated Fat | 11.6g |
– Monounsaturated | 9.2g |
– Polyunsaturated | 2.4g |
Cholesterol | 113mg |
Sodium | 470mg |
Total Carbohydrates | 10g |
– Fiber | 4g |
– Net Carbs | 6g |
Protein | 27.8g |
Sugars | 1.5g (naturally from dairy) |
Calcium | 340mg (26% DV) |
Iron | 1.6mg (9% DV) |
Check out More Recipes:
- Low Carb Keto Coconut Macaroons
- Low Carb Keto Custard
- Low Carb Keto Apple Pie
- Low Carb Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Fat Bombs

Low Carb Keto Everything Bagels
Description
Chewy, golden, low-carb bagels made with fathead dough—perfect for keto breakfasts, meal prep, and curbing bread cravings without blowing your macros.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line baking sheet with parchment.
- Mix almond flour, baking powder, and seasonings in a bowl.
- Microwave mozzarella and cream cheese in 2 rounds: 90 sec, stir, then 60 sec. Stir smooth.
- Add dry mix and 2 eggs to the cheese. Mix quickly until combined.
- Divide dough into 6 balls. Shape into bagels.
- Whisk 3rd egg and brush tops. Sprinkle seasoning.
- Bake 12–14 mins until golden.
Notes
- Dough too sticky to handle? Chill it for 10 minutes before shaping. And don’t skip the egg wash—it makes the tops beautifully golden.