These Easy Homemade Bagels are a delicious, soft, and chewy breakfast treat that’s easy to make at home. They feature a golden brown exterior with a chewy inside, and can be topped with everything bagel seasoning or eaten plain. Perfect for toasting and pairing with cream cheese, they’re a great way to enjoy bagels without the hassle of a bakery.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Bagels:

• 1 ⅓ cups warm water (90ºF-110ºF)

• 2 ¼ teaspoons instant quick-rise yeast (1 packet)

• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

• 3 ½ cups bread flour

• 1 ½ teaspoons salt

For the Baking Soda Bath:

• 6-8 cups boiling water

• 1 tablespoon baking soda

• 1 tablespoon honey

For the Egg Wash:

• 1 large egg

• 1 tablespoon water

For Topping:

• Everything bagel seasoning (optional)

Directions

1. Prepare the Dough:

   • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the warm water, instant yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.

   • Add bread flour and salt, then mix until a thick dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth.

   • Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise for 60-90 minutes until doubled in size.

2. Preheat the Oven & Boil Water:

   • Preheat your oven to 425ºF. Prepare a large pot with 6-8 cups of boiling water, adding the baking soda and honey.

3. Shape the Bagels:

   • Once the dough has risen, divide it into 8 portions. Roll each piece into a ball, then use your thumb and pointer finger to form a hole in the center of each. Stretch the hole slightly, but not too much.

4. Boil the Bagels:

   • Gently place 3-4 bagels at a time into the boiling water. Boil for 1 minute per side, then remove with a slotted spoon and place them back on the baking sheet.

5. Apply the Egg Wash & Bake:

   • Brush the bagels with the egg wash mixture, then sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning if desired.

   • Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

6. Cool & Serve:

   • Let the bagels cool for 5 minutes on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy with your favorite spreads!

Nutritional Information (per bagel):

• Calories: 230 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 45g

• Protein: 9g

• Fat: 2g

  • Saturated Fat: 0.3g

• Sodium: 868mg

• Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 4g

Why Make Homemade Bagels?

Homemade bagels are far superior to store-bought versions in terms of both flavor and texture. The chewy interior, crispy exterior, and customizable toppings make them a treat worth the effort. Making bagels at home also allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring a fresher, healthier option than those you might find in the bakery section of the supermarket.

Additionally, the process of boiling the bagels before baking them is what gives them their signature chewy texture and shiny, golden crust. This simple step is a game-changer and a key part of what makes homemade bagels so special.

Key Ingredients

The ingredients needed for these Easy Homemade Bagels are basic but create a dough that’s soft, chewy, and perfect for baking. Here’s why each ingredient is important:

• Warm Water: Activates the yeast, helping the dough rise. It’s important that the water is between 90ºF and 110ºF—too hot and it can kill the yeast, too cold and it won’t activate properly.

• Instant Yeast: This type of yeast doesn’t need to be proofed in water beforehand, making the dough preparation quicker and simpler.

• Granulated Sugar: Provides food for the yeast, helping it to activate and ferment, resulting in the dough rising.

• Bread Flour: The key to achieving that chewy texture in bagels. Bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, which helps the dough form gluten, contributing to the structure and chewiness of the bagels.

• Salt: Balances the flavor and strengthens the dough’s gluten structure.

• Baking Soda and Honey (for the boiling water bath): The baking soda helps create the bagels’ shiny crust, and the honey adds a slight sweetness to the exterior.

• Egg Wash: Gives the bagels a beautiful, glossy finish once baked.

• Everything Bagel Seasoning (optional): For those who love the classic topping, everything bagel seasoning adds a delicious crunch and a burst of flavor with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic, and onion.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir to combine and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until the mixture becomes foamy. This step ensures that the yeast is active and ready to work.

Add the bread flour and salt to the bowl and mix until a thick dough forms. Once the dough starts to come together, transfer it to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise for 60-90 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.

2. Preheat the Oven & Boil Water

While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 425ºF. Prepare a large pot with 6-8 cups of boiling water. Add the baking soda and honey to the water, stirring to dissolve. This boiling water bath will help the bagels achieve their characteristic chewy texture.

3. Shape the Bagels

Once the dough has risen, divide it into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball, then use your thumb and index finger to create a hole in the center of each ball. Stretch the hole slightly, but don’t make it too large—keep it small to ensure a nice round shape as the bagels bake.

4. Boil the Bagels

Gently place 3-4 bagels at a time into the boiling water. Boil each bagel for 1 minute per side, then remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The boiling step helps develop the chewy texture and sets the bagels’ shape before baking.

5. Apply the Egg Wash & Bake

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to create an egg wash. Brush the tops of each bagel with the egg wash, giving them a shiny, golden finish when baked.

If you’d like to add everything bagel seasoning, sprinkle it generously over the top of each bagel at this point.

Bake the bagels in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and have a crisp crust.

6. Cool & Serve

Once the bagels are done baking, let them cool on a wire rack for about 5 minutes. This will help set the texture. Serve the bagels warm or at room temperature, and enjoy them with your favorite spreads.

Tips for Perfect Bagels

• Kneading the Dough: Make sure to knead the dough well. This develops the gluten, which is essential for the chewy texture that’s characteristic of bagels.

• Boiling the Bagels: Don’t skip the boiling step! It’s crucial for developing the bagel’s classic chewy texture and glossy crust.

• Toppings: If you want to add different flavors to your bagels, experiment with toppings like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or even a sprinkle of garlic powder or cheese.

• Storage: Store your homemade bagels in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze them for longer storage. To enjoy them later, just toast them for a few minutes for that fresh-baked texture.

Conclusion: A Homemade Bagel Delight

Making your own bagels at home is easier than you think and can be a fun and rewarding experience. With just a few simple ingredients and a little time, you can create soft, chewy bagels that rival those from a bakery. Whether you like them plain, with everything bagel seasoning, or topped with your favorite spreads, these Easy Homemade Bagels are a fantastic way to start your day. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven, or save them for later as a delicious snack or breakfast!