Easy Homemade Bagels Recipe
If you’ve ever dreamed of pulling a batch of golden, chewy bagels out of your own oven, these Easy Homemade Bagels are the answer. They turn a few pantry staples into warm, glossy rings with that perfect bagel bite—no fancy equipment or bread-making experience required. Every step is simple and rewarding, and the results taste so much better than anything you’ll find at a grocery store. Whether you keep it classic with everything seasoning or get fancy with your favorite toppings, this is a project you’ll want to do again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Easy Homemade Bagels only call for a handful of everyday ingredients, but each one is essential for getting that authentic flavor and texture. Here’s how every element plays a starring role in these bakery-style beauties.
- Warm Water (1 1/3 cups): Getting the water temp just right wakes up the yeast and sets your dough on the path to puffiness.
- Instant Quick Rise Yeast (2 1/4 tsp): This is your shortcut to fluffy, chewy bagels without a lengthy rise time.
- Granulated Sugar (1 tbsp): Not just for a touch of sweetness; this also feeds the yeast, jumpstarting the rise.
- Bread Flour (3 1/2 cups): Bread flour’s high protein is what gives bagels their signature chew—don’t swap it for all-purpose!
- Salt (1 1/2 tsp): Flavor superstar. A little salt balances the sweetness and rounds out every bite.
- Boiling Water (6-8 cups): The secret to shiny, crusty bagels is a quick dip in boiling water before baking.
- Baking Soda (1 tbsp): This takes the bagel bath to the next level, giving more chew and a hint of color.
- Honey (1 tbsp): Adds a whisper of sweetness to the water bath, making your bagels absolutely irresistible.
- Large Egg (1): Brushed on top for a beautiful sheen; helps seasonings stick, too.
- Water (1 tbsp): Whisked with the egg for a picture-perfect egg wash.
- Everything Bagel Seasoning: This classic blend brings crunch, nuttiness, and big flavor—use as much as your heart desires.
How to Make Easy Homemade Bagels
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start by whisking together your warm water, instant quick rise yeast, and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl. This step is the science behind those proud, pillowy bagels—it’s where the yeast gets activated, which should take about 5 to 10 minutes. You want to see foamy bubbles to know it’s ready. If there’s no foam, your yeast may be expired, so it’s best to start fresh for fail-proof rise.
Step 2: Mix and Knead the Dough
Pour in the bread flour and salt, then grab a Danish dough hook (if you’re fancy) or just use your hands. Stir until a rough dough forms. Once everything comes together, transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead for about 5 to 7 minutes. You’re aiming for a smooth, soft ball—this extra bit of love is what gives Easy Homemade Bagels their signature texture.
Step 3: Let the Dough Rise
Shape the dough into a ball, tuck it into a lightly greased bowl, and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rest for 60 to 90 minutes in a cozy warm spot. The dough should double in size—warmer environments speed things up if you’re eager to move along.
Step 4: Prep for Baking
Near the end of the rise, prep your oven by positioning the rack in the middle and setting it to 425ºF. Make sure your baking sheet is lined with a silicone mat or parchment sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bagels have a tendency to stick, so don’t skip this step.
Step 5: Divide and Shape
Once your dough has puffed up, place it on the counter and use a bench scraper or sharp knife to cut it into 8 equal pieces. For extra precision, weighing each piece (about 100 grams each) ensures even baking. Roll each ball on an unfloured surface (that slight stickiness is your friend here), then poke a hole in the center using your thumb and pointer finger. Stretch each ring gently—they’ll relax and expand as they sit for 10 minutes.
Step 6: Prepare the Boiling Bath and Egg Wash
While the bagels are resting, get your water bath ready. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and stir in the baking soda and honey. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon of water for the glossy egg wash that sets Easy Homemade Bagels apart in appearance and flavor.
Step 7: Boil the Bagels
Boil 3 to 4 bagels at a time in your honey and baking soda bath, letting each one swim for about 1 minute per side. This bubbling bath is what gives your bagels that gorgeous, chewy crust and helps them puff into their classic bagel shape. Don’t worry if they look a bit wrinkly—they’ll bake up perfectly smooth.
Step 8: Add Toppings and Bake
Remove bagels from the pot with a slotted spatula and let any excess water drip away before lining them up on your prepared baking sheet. Brush generously with the egg wash and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning (or your preferred toppings). Bake for 20-25 minutes until they gleam with a golden brown hue. Let them cool briefly before moving to a wire rack to finish cooling—and then, they’re ready to devour!
How to Serve Easy Homemade Bagels
Garnishes
A fresh, warm bagel is a blank canvas for flavor! Go big with the classic everything seasoning, or experiment with sea salt, sesame seeds, or even a shake of cinnamon sugar for a sweet touch. A generous swipe of cream cheese, a few chives, or sliced smoked salmon transforms your Easy Homemade Bagels into a bistro-worthy treat with hardly any extra effort.
Side Dishes
Pair your bagels with crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, or a vibrant fruit salad for an impressive brunch board. For a lighter bite, a dollop of Greek yogurt with berries, or a cup of hot coffee and a sliced orange makes for a simple yet satisfying start to your morning alongside these Easy Homemade Bagels.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress? Stack mini bagel sandwiches with herbed cream cheese, ham, and cucumber for a party platter. Or slice the bagels for a DIY breakfast bar with bowls of spreads, jams, and toppings that let everyone make their own perfect combo. You can even toast slices and serve with a hearty soup for a soul-warming lunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Easy Homemade Bagels are best the day they’re baked, but you can easily keep extra bagels fresh for 1 to 2 days by cooling them completely and storing in a well-sealed container at room temperature. If your kitchen is humid, wrap them in a clean tea towel to absorb moisture and maintain their chewy bite.
Freezing
These bagels freeze like a dream! Once cooled, wrap each bagel tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll stay delicious for up to one month. If you want an even easier breakfast, try slicing them before freezing—no need to thaw before toasting.
Reheating
Ready to enjoy again? Let frozen bagels come to room temperature overnight, then pop them in the toaster oven for a couple minutes until warm and crisp. This quick refresh brings them almost back to their just-baked glory, and even perks up bagels that have gone a little stale.
FAQs
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
Bread flour is key for that chewy texture in Easy Homemade Bagels, but you can use all-purpose flour in a pinch. Your bagels may turn out lighter and less chewy, but still tasty and satisfying.
Do I have to boil the bagels before baking?
Yes, the boil is what sets a bagel apart from regular bread! It creates that shiny crust and dense interior, so don’t skip this step if you want authentic Easy Homemade Bagels at home.
Can I add different toppings or mix-ins?
Absolutely! Everything bagel seasoning is a classic, but sesame seeds, poppy seeds, cinnamon sugar, or even shredded cheese are all fantastic. For mix-ins, knead in blueberries, raisins, or diced jalapenos during step two.
How can I make my bagels bigger or smaller?
You can divide the dough into fewer pieces for jumbo bagels or more pieces for mini bagels. Just remember to adjust boiling and baking times—a bit shorter for minis and a tad longer for giants.
Why did my bagels turn out dense or flat?
This usually means the yeast wasn’t active or didn’t get enough warm rest time. Make sure to check that your yeast is fresh and allow for proper rising—don’t rush it! These tips help Easy Homemade Bagels puff up just right.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the pride (and taste!) of making Easy Homemade Bagels from scratch. Each bite, with its golden crust and chewy center, is a small victory in your kitchen. If you’re craving bakery-quality bagels but want the joy of making them yourself, this recipe is your ticket. Give it a try—even if you’re new to baking, you’ll be amazed by just how delicious homemade can be!
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Easy Homemade Bagels Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 bagels 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make delicious homemade bagels from scratch with this easy recipe. These bagels are chewy on the inside, with a perfect golden crust on the outside. Enjoy them fresh from your own kitchen!
Ingredients
Dough:
- 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:
- 6–8 cups Boiling Water
- 1 tbsp Baking Soda
- 1 tbsp Honey
Egg Wash and Topping:
- 1 Large Egg
- 1 tbsp Water
- Everything Bagel Seasoning
Instructions
- Mix – In a large mixing bowl, whisk together warm water, instant yeast, and sugar. Let sit until foamy.
- Knead – Add flour and salt, mix until dough forms. Knead until smooth. Let rise.
- Prep – Preheat oven. Prep baking sheet.
- Cut – Divide dough, shape into balls.
- Shape – Roll into balls, create holes. Let rest.
- Prep – Prepare baking soda and honey bath. Mix egg wash.
- Boil – Boil bagels in baking soda honey bath.
- Brush and Bake – Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with seasoning. Bake until golden.
- Enjoy – Cool and enjoy homemade bagels!
Notes
- You can customize toppings like sesame seeds or poppy seeds instead of Everything Bagel Seasoning.
- For a sweeter option, add cinnamon and raisins to the dough.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bagel
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 23mg
Keywords: Homemade Bagels, Bagel Recipe, Easy Bagels, Breakfast Bread
