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freshly baked bagels topped with sesame seeds.
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4.57 from 16 votes

Homemade Bagels

Introducing my easy recipe for Homemade Bagels, a recipe I've been making for years and a total favorite at my house. Top these bagels with your favorite toppings such as everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, cinnamon sugar or whatever you prefer.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Bread, Breakfast, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bagel recipe, bagels, pretzels
Servings: 8
Calories: 163kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm water
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar packed
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 quarts water for bagel dipping
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • coarse sea salt for sprinkling
  • poppy seeds optional
  • 1 egg white mixed with 1 tablespoon of water for egg wash

Instructions

  • Prep the yeast. In a medium bowl, mix 1 cup of warm water (110°F) with the yeast and sugar. Let it sit and rest for about 10 minutes until the yeast dissolves and it becomes foamy.
  • Make the dough. In the bowl of your mixer, mix the flour, brown sugar and salt together. Add the yeast mixture to it and using the hook attachment, mix until the dough is soft but no longer sticky and comes clean from the sides of the bowl. Add additional flour if needed.
  • Rest the dough. Place the dough in an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rest for about an hour or until it doubles in size.
  • Preheat oven. Preheat oven to 450°F/230°C. Prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  • Make baking soda water. Fill a large pot with 2 quarts of water and mix with baking soda. Bring the water to a boil.
  • Shape the bagels. Cut the dough into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into a long foot (30cm) rope then loop it around your hand to form a circle. Roll the part where the dough meets itself on the counter until sealed. Alternatively you can roll each piece into a long 2 foot (60cm) rope. Fold the rope in two and twist it, then bring the ends together and pinch them to connect the rope.
  • Drop bagels in water. Reheat baking soda water if necessary, and drop bagels 2 at a time in soda water mixture for 1 minute, turning them over half way through. Remove and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining pieces.
  • Season bagels. Brush the bagels with egg wash and sprinkle with your favorite toppings. Let the bagels rest for 10 minutes.
  • Bake and serve. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake the bagels for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Video

Notes

  1. To make bagels properly you need to give them a bath. Make sure you use only baking soda and not baking powder. The baking soda helps the bagels form that beautiful golden crust and give them the distinct bagels taste.
  2. Use bread flour instead if you want, or any high-gluten flour, this will help create more glen in the dough.
  3. When dipping the bagels in the baking soda water bath, make sure they have enough time to float around. The bigger the pot, the more bagels will fit.
  4. If you are looking into making them into a sweet treat you can glaze them with a drizzle of honey and sprinkle some cinnamon sugar, coconut flakes or even colorful sprinkles.
  5. Fresh baked bagels taste best enjoyed immediately or a few hours after they're baked.
  6. You can store your leftover bagels at room temperature for up to 2-3 days or in the fridge for up to 1 week. Make sure you store them in a large freezer bag to they won't dry out.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bagel | Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 723mg | Potassium: 79mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 2mg