Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for homemade bagels!
Homemade Bagels Recipe
Ingredients
For the bagel dough:
- 4 cups bread flour (plus more for dusting)
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
For boiling:
- 2 quarts water
- 2 tablespoons honey or malt syrup (optional)
For topping (optional):
- Everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or coarse salt
Instructions
- Make the dough:
- In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, salt, sugar, and instant yeast.
- Gradually add the warm water and mix until a rough dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook.
- First rise:
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Shape the bagels:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a ball, then poke a hole in the center with your finger and stretch it to form a bagel shape.
- Second rise:
- Place the shaped bagels on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let them rest for about 15-20 minutes.
- Boil the bagels:
- In a large pot, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. If using, add honey or malt syrup.
- Carefully drop the bagels into the boiling water, a few at a time. Boil for about 1 minute on each side for a chewier texture.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and place back on the baking sheet.
- Add toppings:
- If desired, sprinkle your chosen toppings on the bagels while they’re still wet.
- Bake:
- Bake the bagels in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Cool and enjoy:
- Let the bagels cool on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy them plain, with cream cheese, or any toppings you like!
These bagels are best enjoyed fresh, but you can also freeze them for later. Happy baking!