Protein Bagels for Busy Mornings: A 2-Ingredient Recipe Kids Can Make
|
|
Time to Read: 7 min
Welcome to The Pediatrician Kitchen at Ahimsa
I’m a pediatrician and a busy mom of three. So I understand how chaotic mealtimes can feel. But I also know, from science and real life, that what we serve our kids, and how we serve it, matters more than we think.
That’s why I created The Pediatrician Kitchen: to help families shift from convenience to intention when it comes to food. Because mealtimes aren’t just moments to fill bellies. They’re powerful opportunities to shape lifelong health.
Here, you’ll find simple, fast, affordable recipes that don’t just solve breakfast or snack time.They build habits, support brain and body development, and reduce long-term risk of chronic illness. This is where food is medicine and food is health, practiced daily in kitchens just like yours.
And just like the meals we prepare, the dishes we serve them on matter too. That’s why I use Ahimsa’s stainless steel plates and bowls to avoid harmful chemicals and make cleanup quick and easy…especially on hectic mornings.
About Ahimsa
Founded by a pediatrician and mom of three
Stainless steel is the only kid-friendly material recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics
We are guided by a Scientific Advisory Council comprised of environmental and medical experts, guiding us in creating the safest products, following the latest science and promoting policy to protect human health and our planet
Want to know more? Check out our story and our products.
A Bagel That Builds Habits
What if the bagel your child loves could actually fuel their body without excess sugar or preservatives?
These 2-ingredient protein bagels are soft, simple, and kid-approved. They’re made with just Greek yogurt and flour, no yeast, no rise time, no mystery ingredients. Perfect for rushed mornings or slow weekend breakfasts. Even better? Your kids can help shape and bake them, turning breakfast into a teachable moment.
2-Ingredient Protein Bagel Recipe
5 minutes
20 Minutes
4 mini bagels
Breakfast
Ingredients:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (full fat or 2%)
- 1 cup self-rising flour (or 1 cup all-purpose + 1.5 tsp baking powder + ¼ tsp salt)
- Optional: 1 egg for egg wash, everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, or cinnamon sugar
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix flour and yogurt in a bowl until a dough forms.
- Divide dough into 4 parts. Roll each into a rope and connect ends to form a bagel shape.
- Brush with optional egg wash and sprinkle with toppings.
- Bake 20–22 minutes until golden. Cool slightly and serve.
Tip: Let little ones help shape the dough. It builds confidence, fine motor skills, and kitchen fun!
Serving Tip: Serve warm bagels on Ahimsa’s stainless steel plates for a safe, non-toxic mealtime that’s perfect for little hands, and no worries if it ends up on the floor.
Mealtime Essentials
Why These Ingredients Work: Fuel for Growth
Greek Yogurt = Protein + Probiotics
- High-quality protein to support growth and satiety
- Calcium for strong bones
- Live cultures to promote gut and immune health
Self-Rising Flour = Balanced Energy
- Carbs for quick fuel
- Simple base that’s easy for picky eaters
- Can sub in whole wheat for more fiber
Optional toppings like egg, seeds, or cheese add healthy fats and flavor,turning a basic bagel into a balanced bite.
Serving Tip: Add a small stainless steel cup of fruit or veggie slices on the side for a complete, balanced breakfast. Another reason why stainless steel cups are a staple in our kitchen.
Culinary Medicine in Action: Time, Cost, Skill
Time:
- 5 minutes to prep, 20 to bake
- Make ahead and freeze for grab-and-go breakfasts
Cost:
- Less than $0.65 per bagel
- Cheaper than store-bought, with better ingredients
Skill:
- No yeast, no rise time
- Kid-friendly, mess-friendly, beginner-friendly
Food Is a Teachable Moment
Cooking with kids teaches more than just food prep. This recipe can help:
- Build food confidence through tactile, hands-on learning
- Introduce nutrition terms like “protein,” “carbs,” and “fuel”
- Reduce picky eating by involving kids in the meal process
You can even make “rainbow bagels” with natural food coloring or shape them into letters for a literacy and food crossover!
Keep Healthy Food… Healthy
You’ve chosen clean, nourishing ingredients. Don’t serve them on plastic that can leach harmful chemicals.
Ahimsa’s Purposeful Plate and Conscious Cup collections are made from non-toxic stainless steel—safe, sustainable, and pediatrician-designed for real life. Their stainless steel plates and bowls are also dishwasher-safe, durable, and designed specifically for kids, so you can serve every meal with peace of mind.
Because how we serve food matters as much as what we serve.
Final Thought: Small Swaps, Big Wins
A homemade bagel might seem small, but it represents something much bigger: time spent together, skills learned, and habits built.
You don’t need perfection; just intention.
And with Ahimsa’s stainless steel plates and bowls , you’re reinforcing healthy routines with tools that are built to last.
Follow The Pediatrician Kitchen at Ahimsa for more pediatrician-approved recipes that are made for health, joy, and lifelong habits.
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.
Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.
She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.
Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.
She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.
More Mealtime Essentials
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use stainless steel instead of plastic? Is stainless steel better for health?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a report in July 2018 suggesting ways that families can limit exposure to certain chemicals at mealtime, including “the use of alternatives to plastic, such as glass or stainless steel, when possible.” The report explained that “…some additives are put directly in foods, while “indirect” additives may include chemicals from plastic, glues, dyes, paper, cardboard”. Further, “Children are more sensitive to chemical exposures because they eat and drink more, relative to body weight, than adults do, and are still growing and developing.” While stainless steel items meet the recommendation to avoid plastic products in children, Ahimsa® products have the obvious advantage of not breaking like glass.
Is stainless steel better for the environment than plastic?
According to the Steel Recycling Institute, steel can be recycled over and over and over again without losing its integrity and requires less energy to recycle than to make anew. Most plastic unfortunately ends up in landfills and it is estimated to take 700 years to decompose. Our special coloring process that allows Ahimsa® products to be fully metal is environmentally friendly, so it does not produce toxic run-off into the ecosystem.
Will Ahimsa products break or peel?
No. Our steel is durable, so it won’t break or shatter with everyday use, like glass. And it won’t peel, like other colored stainless steel products you’ve seen. We use a special process that allows the colors to naturally occur in the metal.
Which Ahimsa products are best for my little one(s)?
Our products are meant to last, you can use Ahimsa at ages 1, 8 and 18! We thoughtfully design our products to be safe for little ones and our planet while reducing consumption. Once your child outgrows the Starting Solids Set and can use regular cups and utensils, the training cup is the perfect size rinse cup in the bathroom, the infant spoon doubles as a tea stirrer and the bowl is great for snacks or as an additional compartment to our modular divided plate. Our plates are great for any age as they encourage choosing a variety of healthy foods at each meal and help visualize portion sizes easily. It’s the lasting beauty of stainless steel - grows with your child and reduces waste.
