Homemade Bagels
Enjoy golden, chewy bagels right from your kitchen with this easy homemade recipe that allows for customization with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1.5 cups 1 and 1/2 cups warm water (between 100-110°F, 38-43°C)
- 2.75 teaspoons 2 and 3/4 teaspoons instant or active dry yeast
- 4 cups 4 cups bread flour (spooned & leveled), plus more for work surface and hands
- 1 tablespoon 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar or packed light or dark brown sugar (or barley malt syrup)
- 2 teaspoons 2 teaspoons salt
For Coating and Egg Wash
- 2 teaspoons nonstick spray or 2 teaspoons olive oil For coating the bowl
- 1 egg white 1 egg white beaten with 1 Tablespoon water For egg wash
For Boiling
- 2 quarts 2 quarts water For water bath
- 0.25 cups 1/4 cup honey (or barley malt syrup)
Instructions
Preparation
- In your stand mixer bowl, whisk warm water and yeast together. Cover it and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Add flour, brown sugar, and salt. Beat on low speed for 2 minutes. The dough will look stiff and dry.
- Knead the dough for another 6-7 minutes. If kneading by hand, do it on a floured surface. Sprinkle a little flour as needed if it gets too sticky.
- Lightly grease a large bowl. Place the dough in it, turning to coat all sides. Cover and let it rise at room temperature for 60-90 minutes or until it doubles in size.
Baking
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Punch the dough down. Divide it into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and make a hole in the center about 1.5 – 2 inches wide. Cover loosely with a towel.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C).
- Fill a large pot with 2 quarts of water and whisk in honey. Bring to a boil and then lower the heat. Drop bagels in, cooking each side for 1 minute.
- Brush the egg wash on top and around the sides of each bagel, then place them on the lined baking sheets.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway. They should be dark golden brown. Cool for 20 minutes on the sheets, then transfer them to a wire rack.
- Slice, toast, and enjoy your homemade bagels!
Notes
To keep your homemade bagels fresh, store them tightly covered at room temperature for a few days or refrigerate for up to a week. They can also be frozen for later enjoyment—just thaw and toast when ready.