Description
These Stuffed Bagel Balls are soft, chewy bites filled with creamy 1/3 less fat cream cheese, coated with your favorite bagel toppings like everything seasoning or sesame seeds. Made with a simple yogurt-based dough, they bake up golden and delicious in under 35 minutes—perfect for a savory snack or appetizer.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup unbleached all purpose flour, whole wheat, or gluten-free mix (5 oz in weight)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder (ensure fresh for proper rise)
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (diamond crystal; reduce if using table salt)
- 1 cup non-fat Greek yogurt (recommend Stonyfield; avoid regular yogurt)
Filling and Toppings
- 4 tablespoons (4 ounces or half package) 1/3 less fat cream cheese, cut into 8 cubes
- 1 egg white, beaten (whole egg can be used as alternative)
- Optional toppings: everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic flakes, dried onion flakes
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking surface: Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat. If using parchment paper, lightly spray with oil to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and kosher salt until well combined.
- Add yogurt and combine: Add the non-fat Greek yogurt to the dry ingredients. Mix with a fork or spatula until the mixture resembles small crumbles.
- Knead dough: Lightly flour your work surface and transfer the dough out of the bowl. Knead it several times—about 15 turns—until the dough is tacky but not sticky, ensuring it does not stick to your hands when pulled away.
- Shape and fill dough balls: Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Flatten each piece into a small circle, place a cube of cream cheese (about 1/2 tablespoon) in the center, then fold and roll the dough over the cheese to form a sealed ball. Repeat with all portions.
- Apply egg wash and toppings: Brush each dough ball with the beaten egg white and sprinkle with your choice of toppings like everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet on the top rack in the oven and bake the bagel balls for 25 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool: Remove from oven and let the bagel balls cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.
- Alternative Air Fryer Method: Spray the air fryer basket with oil. Preheat the air fryer to 325°F. Place the stuffed bagel balls in the basket in batches without overcrowding, and air fry for 11 to 12 minutes until golden. No need to flip during cooking. Cool for at least 10 minutes before eating.
Notes
- Use non-fat Greek yogurt for the best dough texture; regular yogurt can be too sticky.
- Ensure baking powder is fresh for proper rise.
- Adjust salt if using regular table salt instead of kosher salt.
- You can customize toppings with your favorite bagel seasonings for variety.
- If air frying, do not overcrowd the basket to ensure even cooking.
- Allow the bagel balls to cool properly to let the cream cheese set inside.
