Homemade Bagels

ByMia Harper
Freshly baked homemade bagels with sesame seeds on a wooden board.
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There’s something incredibly satisfying about making bagels at home. The process may seem daunting, but it’s quite straightforward and well worth the effort. These warm, chewy bagels will fill your kitchen with the most delightful aroma and can be customized with your favorite toppings. Whether you’re making breakfast sandwiches or simply enjoying them with cream cheese, homemade bagels are an absolute treat.

Recipe Information

  • Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Servings: 8 bagels
  • Difficulty Level: Medium

Nutrition Information

  • Calories per serving: 250
  • Protein: 8g
  • Carbohydrates: 50g
  • Fat: 1g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 300mg

Why Make This Homemade Bagels

Making homemade bagels allows you to experience bakery-fresh flavors right in your kitchen. They’re incredibly versatile – enjoy them plain or load them with your favorite toppings like sesame or poppy seeds. Plus, you have control over the ingredients, ensuring they’re made just the way you like. Nothing beats the rewarding feeling of biting into a bagel that you’ve crafted yourself.

How to Make Homemade Bagels

The process of making bagels from scratch involves a few key steps: mixing, kneading, boiling, and baking. Once you master these techniques, you can experiment with all sorts of flavors and toppings!

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water
  • 1 tablespoon barley malt syrup (optional)
  • Toppings: sesame seeds, poppy seeds, everything bagel seasoning (optional)

Directions:

  • Step 1: Preparation

    In a bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This step activates the yeast, which is crucial for making bagels rise.

  • Step 2: Mixing

    In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the yeast mixture. Stir until everything is combined, creating a rough dough.

  • Step 3: Kneading

    Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. This process develops the gluten, which gives bagels their chewy texture.

  • Step 4: Rising

    Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

  • Step 5: Boiling

    Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Boil a large pot of water and add the malt syrup if using. Divide the risen dough into 8 equal pieces, shape each one into a bagel, and boil each bagel for 1-2 minutes. This step is essential as it gives bagels their classic texture.

  • Step 6: Baking

    Place the boiled bagels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with your desired toppings before placing them in the oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until they turn golden brown.

  • Step 7: Cooling

    Once baked, let the bagels cool for a few minutes on a wire rack before serving. This cooling process helps them firm up a bit more.

How to Serve Homemade Bagels

Serve your homemade bagels warm with cream cheese, butter, or your favorite spreads. They also make a fantastic base for hearty breakfast sandwiches filled with eggs, avocado, or smoked salmon.

How to Store Homemade Bagels

Store leftover bagels in a plastic bag or airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or toaster when ready to enjoy.

Expert Tips for Perfect Homemade Bagels

  • Ensure your water is at the right temperature (not too hot, not too cold) when activating the yeast, around 110°F (43°C).
  • Don’t skip boiling the bagels; this step affects their texture and taste significantly.
  • Customize your toppings! Try adding different herbs or seasonings to make unique flavors.
  • Make sure to knead thoroughly; the better the dough is kneaded, the chewier the bagel will be.

Delicious Variations

  • Cinnamon Raisin Bagels: Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/2 cup of raisins to the dough for a sweet twist.
  • Cheese Bagels: Sprinkle shredded cheese on top before baking for a savory addition.
  • Spinach and Feta Bagels: Mix in cooked, chopped spinach and crumbled feta to the dough for a flavorful Mediterranean bagel.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
    Yes, you can substitute half or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, but the texture may be denser.

  • What can I use instead of malt syrup?
    If you don’t have malt syrup, you can use honey or leave it out completely; the bagels will still be delicious.

  • How do I know when my yeast is activated?
    The yeast mixture should foam and bubble after 5-10 minutes. If it doesn’t, your yeast may be inactive.

  • Can I freeze unbaked bagels?
    Yes, you can freeze the shaped bagels before boiling. When ready to bake, boil them straight from the freezer and then bake as usual.

  • What’s the best way to reheat bagels?
    To reheat, place the bagels in a toaster or warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes.

Conclusion

Making homemade bagels is a rewarding and enjoyable process that fills your home with wonderful aromas. With a bit of time and patience, you can create delicious, chewy bagels that far surpass store-bought versions. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and delight in the experience of crafting these delectable treats! You’re sure to impress your family and friends with your baking skills. Happy bagel-making!

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Homemade Bagels

  • Author: mia-harper
  • Total Time: 95 minutes
  • Yield: 8 bagels 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian
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Description

Experience the satisfaction of making chewy, bakery-fresh bagels right in your kitchen, perfect for breakfast or snacks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water
  • 1 tablespoon barley malt syrup (optional)
  • Toppings: sesame seeds, poppy seeds, everything bagel seasoning (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture. Stir until combined.
  3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  5. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Boil a large pot of water and add malt syrup if using. Shape the risen dough into 8 bagels and boil for 1-2 minutes.
  6. Place boiled bagels on a baking sheet, sprinkle with toppings, and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
  7. Let the bagels cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Store leftover bagels at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or toaster.

  • Prep Time: 70 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bagel
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 300mg
  • Fat: 1g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 50g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

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