Print

Easy Homemade Bagels Recipe

Easy Homemade Bagels Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 29 reviews

This Easy Homemade Bagels recipe guides you through making classic, chewy bagels from scratch with simple ingredients. The dough is enriched with instant yeast and sweetened with a touch of honey for a perfect golden crust. Boiled in a baking soda and honey bath before baking, these bagels develop a wonderful chewy texture and shiny crust, perfect for your favorite toppings or sandwiches.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 cups Warm Water (between 90ºF-110ºF)
  • 2 1/4 tsp Instant Quick Rise Yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 tbsp Granulated Sugar
  • 3 1/2 cups Bread Flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp Salt

Boiling Bath Ingredients

  • 6–8 cups Boiling Water
  • 1 tbsp Baking Soda
  • 1 tbsp Honey

Topping Ingredients

  • 1 Large Egg
  • 1 tbsp Water
  • Everything Bagel Seasoning (optional)

Instructions

  1. Mix the yeast mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the warm water, instant yeast, and granulated sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating that the yeast is active.
  2. Knead the dough: Add the bread flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Using a dough hook or your hands, mix until the dough forms a thick, dry, and scaly texture. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until the dough becomes soft, smooth, and elastic.
  3. First rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest in a warm spot for 60-90 minutes until doubled in size.
  4. Preheat oven and prep baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 425ºF and position a rack in the middle. Line a large baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper lightly sprayed with a flour-based or non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  5. Divide and shape dough: Using a bench scraper or knife, cut the dough into 8 equal pieces (about 100 grams each). Roll each piece into a smooth ball on an unfloured surface. Place on the prepared baking sheet and form a hole in the center of each ball using your thumb and pointer finger, stretching slightly but not too wide. Let rest for 10 minutes.
  6. Prepare boiling bath and egg wash: In a large pot, bring the boiling water, baking soda, and honey to a boil. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to make an egg wash.
  7. Boil the bagels: Carefully place 3-4 bagels into the boiling baking soda and honey bath. Boil each side for 1 minute. The bagels will puff and wrinkle but will smooth out during baking. Use a slotted spatula or mesh strainer to remove them and let excess water drip off. Place them back on the baking sheet. Repeat with remaining bagels.
  8. Apply egg wash and toppings: Brush each boiled bagel with the egg wash mixture and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning if desired.
  9. Bake the bagels: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until bagels develop a shiny, light to medium golden brown crust.
  10. Cool and store: Let bagels cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat frozen bagels, thaw overnight at room temperature and toast before serving.

Notes

  • Water temperature is important for activating yeast properly; ensure it is warm but not hot.
  • Using a silicone baking mat or parchment paper with non-stick spray helps prevent sticking during baking.
  • Do not stretch the bagel holes too large or they may close up during boiling and baking.
  • Boiling in baking soda and honey water gives the bagels their signature chewy crust and slight sweetness.
  • Bagels freeze well; wrap tightly and thaw before toasting.
  • Whole wheat or other flours may be substituted but may change texture and rise time.

Nutrition

Keywords: homemade bagels, easy bagel recipe, yeast bagels, chewy bagels, baking soda bath bagels, breakfast bread

Find it online: https://platedbyemma.com/easy-homemade-bagels-recipe/