These bagels are chewy, savory, and packed with protein thanks to a base of canned chicken, eggs, and Parmesan cheese. With no flour required, they’re a quick, low-carb option you can make in minutes—perfect for breakfast sandwiches or snacking.
4(5 oz/142g)cans chicken breast chunks, drain before using
4largeeggs, plus an additional 1 large egg for egg wash
1 1/2cups (160g)fresh finely grated Parmesan cheese, must use grated and not shredded
Instructions
If baking the bagels, preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Drain the canned chicken thoroughly, then pat dry with paper towels. Add the chicken, 4 eggs (you should have one egg left for later for the egg wash), and Parmesan to a food processor. Pulse until smooth and evenly combined, scraping down the sides as needed. The mixture should be thick and slightly sticky.
Divide into 8 equal portions. Roll each into a ball and place onto a prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Press your finger through the center of each ball to create a hole and bagel shape.
Whisk remaining 1 egg in a small bowl. Brush tops and sides with egg wash, then sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning, if desired.
Bake bagels for about 25 minutes or until golden brown on top. Let cool slightly before serving. If you own an air fryer, I found that the bagels developed a better crusty exterior and a fluffier interior if cooked in the air fryer instead of the oven.
Air fryer version: Place bagels on a parchment-lined air fryer tray (you will have to do this in small batches). Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). When the air fryer is preheated, add the parchment-lined air fryer tray with the bagels into the air fryer and cook for 10–12 minutes, or until golden brown and firm to the touch. Let cool slightly before serving.
The bagels are best enjoyed soon after they are cooked. If eaten soon after they are cooked, the outside is slightly crispy and the inside is very soft and bread-like. The interior becomes denser once fully cooled. Store uneaten bagels in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. Reheat before eating leftovers.
Notes
Make sure to use fresh finely grated parmesan cheese, the type that looks like small crumbs. Shredded parmesan cheese will not work. We have not tested with the kind of parmesan cheese that is shelf-stable (usually sold in shaker containers).
The bagels have a better texture cooked in an air fryer. The outside won't be as crisp in an oven and the bagels are a little more dense when cooked in the oven.
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. This is not a comprehensive list of all the nutrients in the recipe (i.e., does not include vitamins, cholesterol, etc). I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.