There’s something special about the taste and texture of a freshly baked bagel. Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and perfect with cream cheese, butter, or your favorite toppings, bagels are a breakfast favorite around the world. The best part? You don’t need to go to a bakery to enjoy them. Today, we’ll walk you through how to make bagels at home with a recipe that’s simple and easy to follow.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced home cook, this guide will show you how to make chewy bagels with minimal ingredients and tools.
Why Make Homemade Bagels?
Making homemade bagels isn’t just fun, it’s also rewarding. You get to control what goes into them — no preservatives, just fresh, basic ingredients. Plus, they’re surprisingly simple to prepare once you understand the steps. And let’s not forget, nothing beats the smell of warm, golden bagels coming out of your oven!
Ingredients Required to Make Bangels
Here’s what you need to make a batch of delicious, bakery-style bagels at home:
- 4 cups bread flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1¼ cups warm water
- 1 tablespoon honey (for boiling water)
- Optional toppings: sesame seeds, poppy seeds, everything bagel seasoning, shredded cheese, etc.
How to Make Bagels at Home – Step by Step
Step 1: Make the Bagel Dough
In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast together. Slowly add the warm water and stir until the dough starts to come together. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Tip: You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for easier kneading.
Step 2: Let the Dough Rise
Place the bagel dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise for 1 to 1½ hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 3: Shape the Bagels
Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball. To shape the bagels, poke a hole in the center of each ball using your thumb and gently stretch the hole to about 1.5 inches wide.
Step 4: Boil the Bagels
This step is what gives bagels their signature chewy texture.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon of honey. Carefully drop a few bagels into the boiling water and cook for 1 minute on each side. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 5: Add Toppings
If you want flavored bagels, now is the time to add toppings. Brush each boiled bagel with an egg wash (1 egg mixed with 1 tablespoon water) and sprinkle your favorite toppings.
Step 6: Bake the Bagels
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Bake the bagels for 20–25 minutes, or until they’re golden brown. Let them cool slightly before serving.
How to Enjoy Your Fresh Bagels
You can eat them warm with:
- Cream cheese
- Peanut butter
- Butter and jam
- Avocado and eggs
- Smoked salmon and cream cheese (classic!)
Bagels are also great for sandwiches, breakfast wraps, or even pizza bagels.
Storage Tips
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight bag for 2–3 days.
- Freezer: Slice and freeze bagels individually in ziplock bags for up to 2 months.
- To Reheat: Toast frozen bagels directly — no need to thaw!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Bagel Recipe
- Simple ingredients
- Great texture, crispy outside, chewy inside
- Fun and rewarding to make
- Customizable flavors
- Budget-friendly
Once you learn how to make bagels at home, you may never go back to store-bought again!
Conclusion
Making bagels at home is not as hard as it sounds. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can enjoy fresh, warm, and tasty bagels made in your own kitchen. Boiling the dough and baking it gives that perfect chewy texture we all love. Once you try this easy recipe, you’ll see that homemade bagels are even better than store-bought. Give it a try, you’ll be proud of what you make!
FAQ’s
1. Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
Yes, you can. However, bread flour gives a better chewy texture, which is ideal for bagels.
2. Why do I need to boil the bagels?
Boiling the bagels before baking gives them their traditional chewy crust and helps them hold their shape.
3. Can I skip the honey in the boiling water?
Honey adds a slight sweetness and helps with browning, but you can skip it or use sugar instead.
4. How long does it take to make bagels from scratch?
From start to finish, it takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, including rising and baking time.
5. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can refrigerate the dough overnight and shape/boil/bake them the next day for fresh morning bagels.