Best Homemade Bagels recipe in 5 simple steps

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The only 5 simple steps you need to know to make the best Homemade Bagels recipe that is dense, soft and chewy on the inside and crusty on top, right at the comfort of your kitchen in just 1 hour.

This post has got you covered with all the tips, techniques, different variations in a step by step video tutorial format.

New York Style Water Bagels

I know.. I know..

Some of you might be wondering why to buy one when I can easily walk up to the corner to buy the best selling Bagels from the nearby bakery.

That sounds fair enough but..

Have you ever sensed the feeling of accomplishment when you create a masterpiece.. I totally do

And that sense of pride is enough to keep me going.

Apart from that, it is much cheaper to make your own Homemade Bagels.

Plus you also know the ingredients that go into making them so a win-win!!

If baking breads is one of your New Year's resolution or Goals then trust me it is one of mine too.

And since we are on the same page about bread baking goal, I would suggest you; please do subscribe to my Youtube Channel for regular updates as I am planning to post a lot more bread recipes this year.

What are the ingredients in a plain bagel?

Before we proceed with the same, one of the things that I would highly recommend is to invest in a good weighing scale.

If baking is something you want to explore this year then trust me it would be a worthy investment.

I have been using my scale for 3 years now and I don't think I would need another one anytime soon.

With that like any other bread, you would need the basic ingredients for making homemade bagels.

Bread Flour/ Strong Flour/High-Grade Flour:

So unlike regular basic bread, like Dinner Rolls, you would need a stiff dough while making bagels that would withstand the boiling water temperature.

And hence you would specifically need Bread Flour for making this particular recipe.

If you cannot find the same then you can use All-Purpose Flour.

Homemade Bagels with all-purpose flour will not have that stability to withstand the heat whilst boiling and hence it is advisable to include extra Gluten while making the dough.

Golden Syrup:

The recipe originally calls for Golden Syrup as the sweetener for Yeast to feed on.

I know most of us do not have it as a staple in our pantry and for such small amount, it is really not worth it to buy an entire tin.

So I have replaced the golden syrup with Honey in this recipe.

Feel free to use whatever you have handy.

Yeast:

I always use Instant Yeast in all my bread recipes.

If you are using the active yeast then make sure to activate it first before proceeding with the recipe.

Apart from that, we would need the other basic ingredients like Salt, Olive Oil and Water.

Now that we have all the ingredients for making the bagels, let us get into the step by step pictorial tutorial for homemade bagel recipe.

How to make Homemade Bagels from Scratch - Step by Step Tutorial

Step 1: Preparing the Dough

This is the easiest step ever.

Simply combine all the ingredients in your stand mixer and once it forms into a dough, knead it for 8 mins (Steps 1 - 3).

You want a really stiff dough so that the bagels holds its shape while boiling and retains the dense, soft and chewy texture.

Step 2: Proofing

How long does it take to proof a bagel?

This is the best part of the recipe.

It takes just 15 mins to proof the dough in an Instant Pot.

By now you all know I always and always proof my dough in the Instant Pot, saves a lot of time especially if you are making no-knead bread.

In fact, I love this hack so much that I made an entire blog post on How to proof dough in Instant Pot which I think you all will love too.

Just one thing to keep in mind is that you need an Instant Pot with Yogurt Setting in it.

Simply line the base of your Instant Pot with a parchment paper and place the dough into it (image 4).

Oil the top of the dough lightly so that it doesn't dry out. Close the lid.

Choose the Yogurt Mode (image 5) and it is not possible to select 15 mins in the Pot so what I do is select 30 mins in the Pot and once it is turned on, I set the timer to 15 mins on my phone and follow that timing.

First Proofing: In the Instant Pot - Select Yogurt Mode - Set time to 15 mins.

How to proof the dough without Instant Pot?

So, of course, you do not need the Instant Pot if you do not own one.

Lightly oil the bowl in which you kneaded the dough.

Place the dough into it. Coat the dough with oil too.

Cover with a tea towel and let it proof for 30 mins.

Step 3: Shaping the Dough

Once proved, take the dough onto the countertop and punch it down well (image 6).

This step is called, "Knock-back".

And then divide the dough into 7 equal portions of 80 gms each (image 9).

Take out each portion, tuck the sides to the bottom and give it a round shape as seen in the video (image 10).

Cover with a tea towel.

How to shape homemade bagels?

Poke your finger to the centre of the dough till you see the finger on the other side too (image 11).

Then use two fingers to widen the dough to 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter to get a hole in the centre of the dough (image 12).

It couldn't get simpler than this right!!

Once all the dough is shaped it is time for intermediate proofing which is 15 mins.

What it means is once shaped, simply cover the dough with a tea towel and let it proof for 15 mins.

Things to do while Intermediate Proofing:

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C
2. Bring a pot full of water to boil. I used my Instant Pot for this step as well.
3. Take about 1/4 cup milk in a ramekin or a bowl and set aside. You can also prepare an egg wash if you wish to avoid milk.
4. Keep some seeds like sunflower, poppy or sesame seeds ready in a plate.
5. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Step 4: Boiling the Bagels

Please note the water literally has to be in the boiling state - not hot or not simmering but rolling boil.

So once proved, drop the bagels (image 14) 2 or 3 at a time depending upon the capacity of the pot and let it cook on one side for 1 minute (image 15) then flip it using a slotted spoon (image 16) and cook on another side for 1 minute (image 17).

Take it out on a wire rack to drain completely.

Place it on the baking tray.

Step 5: Baking the Bagels

Apply some milk or egg wash on top (image 18) and sprinkle the seeds of choice (image 19).

Collect the hot boiling water in a baking tray (image 20) and place it on the lower rack of your oven. This would help create steam which gives a nice crusty top to the bagels.

Then place your baking tray on the middle rack and bake it for 14-18 mins until golden brown on top (image 21).

Allow to cool completely before slicing and filling it with your choice of filling.

Now with that let me tell you:

How to Serve Bagels

1. Cream Cheese: Bagels and cream cheese are a match made in heaven. Check out the recipe card below to know how I like to make mine.

2. Veggies: Fill it with veggies of your choice like fresh salad leaves, sun-dried tomatoes or fresh tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, guacamole,  onions etc.

3. Pizza: Spreading some pizza seasoning on top of mayo or simply adding some cheese and pizza seasoning and then toasting the bagels.

4. Burger: Using the bagels as burger buns and filling it up with a burger of choice.

5. The meat of your choice or salmon would also be an option but since I am a vegetarian I would not be able to guide you on the same.

Homemade cream cheese spread for bagels:

Take 75 gms of softened cream cheese and beat it until creamy.

Crumble 75 gms of feta cheese into it along with 1/4 tsp salt or to taste and 1/2 tsp of Garlic Powder.

Combine everything until it is all creamy and is of spreadable consistency.

Different Bagel Variations:

Now ever since I started making bread at home, I am just in awe of the different variations that one can try from a basic recipe.

I have shared 15 such different variation idea in my Star Bread recipe which I totally love. Sharing a few in this post that I think would go well with this recipe of bagels.

The recipe shared in this post is of Plain Bagels. Few simple variations of the same would be:

1.  Everything Bagels Recipe:

Basically you just buy the everything bagel seasoning from the supermarkets or online and sprinkle it on top of the bagel dough as mentioned in Step 4 after the milk or egg wah step.

If you do not wish to buy the seasoning packet or do not have access to it then here is how you can make it at home.

How to make Everything Bagels Seasoning?

Take a bowl and add

2 Tablespoons poppy seeds

2 Tablespoons sesame seeds

1 Tablespoon dried minced onion

1 Tablespoon dried garlic flakes

1 Tablespoon coarse salt and mix everything. Voila your homemade everything bagel seasoning is ready. 

2. Seed Topping:

Just like the toppings I have used in this recipe, instead of combining everything just sprinkle the ones that you like.

Poppyseed bagel- Simply add poppy seeds after brushing with milk or egg wash.

Sesame seed bagel - As the name suggests add sesame seeds on top.

Likewise, you can also do Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.

3. Cheese Bagels:

Add a good sprinkle of Cheddar Cheese on top. You can opt for any other cheese of your choice too.

The other thing you can do is to add 1/2 cup shredded cheese along with the flour while making the dough. And then sprinkle extra on top,

4. Cinnamon Raisin Bagels:

Add about 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup raisins and 1 tsp cinnamon powder while making the dough.

Sweeter versions like Nutella Bagels or Nut Butter Bagels can be made but this would be the part of filling to go inside the bagels.

Some Frequently Asked Questions:

Why do you have to boil bagels?

1. Boiling water gelatinises the starch in the dough which makes them grow by doubling in size and also is the reason behind the shiny crusty top.
2. Hot water also kills the yeast activity in the dough and helps in retaining the size.

How long do you boil bagels?

So 1 min on each side is just enough to get that chewy and soft texture from within.

Why are my homemade bagels flat?

The main reason for it is Over proofing.

You really need a Stiff Dough to begin with so that it is stable and can withstand the high heat.

Proofing the Dough for long makes it soft.

All you have to do is Intermediate Proof - then the final proofing happens when it hits the boiling water.

So one quick swell and the yeast is killed for good. And that is the final rise happening.

Avoid over proofing and try to keep the dough as stiff as possible.

Why is there a hole in the bagel?

Isn't it simple!!! A very simple answer to this is to aid in expansion and increase in volume.

The logic is the same as that of scoring the bread dough while making an artisan bread.

So the hole basically allows the bagels to cook consistently all around as the dough is quite thick and you want to be sure if it is cooked all through.

If you are an Indian and have made Vadas before you know the logic 😀

How to store homemade bagels?

Just like any other bread in a bread box or airtight container or simply plastic wrapped.

Honestly, I do not recommend storing it for more than a day.

Fresh and Warm Bagels are the best.

How to freeze homemade bagels?

I personally do not recommend freezing bagels but this article explains how to freeze them properly.

So you can check it if you like.

My 6 top tips to perfect this Best Homemade Bagel recipe:

1. Make sure that you have a really STIFF DOUGH in order to withstand the high heat while boiling the dough. To achieve that stiffness please use Bread Flour/Strong Flour/High-Grade Flour. You can also use APF too but do add extra gluten for stability.
2. Do not overproof the dough as you will end up with flat bagels.
3. Proofing the Dough in Instant Pot saves you time. Instant Pot Bagels are easy and quick to make comparatively.
4. While Shaping the Dough do keep a gap of 1.5 to 2 inches in the centre as the dough expands while proofing and will cover up the hole. So leave enough margin in the centre so that you do not end up with a belly button or worse case a burger bun 😉
5. Boil on 1 min on each side to get the classic chewy and soft texture from within and crusty top and bottom.
6. Always boil just 2 or 3 bagel dough at a time depending upon the size of the pot so that each bagel has enough space to swell up and expand.

IF YOU LIKE THIS RECIPE OR HAPPEN TO TRY IT THEN SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE BELOW IN THE COMMENTS BY GIVING IT A STAR RATING OR LET ME KNOW BY TAGGING ME, TWEETING ME OR INSTAGRAM ME. I WOULD LOVE TO CONNECT WITH YOU AND YOUR POSTS.

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4.34 from 15 votes

Best Homemade Bagels Recipe

The only 5 simple steps you need to know to make the best Homemade Bagels recipe that is dense, soft and chewy on the inside and crusty on top, right at the comfort of your kitchen in just 1 hour.

Course Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Proofing Time 30 minutes

Servings 7 bagels

Author Sushma Iyer

Ingredients

• 350 gms Bread Flour/Strong Flour/High Grade Flour
• 9 gms Salt
• 10 gms Olive Oil
• 20 gms Honey
• 12 gms Instant Yeast
• 210 ml Water

Other Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Milk room temperature
• handful of seeds of your choice
• Cream Cheese spread and filling of your choice
• Water for boiling

Instructions

Step 1 - Preparing the Dough

• To the bowl of your stand mixer, add in all the ingredients and once it starts forming a dough knead it for 8 mins.
• You can also choose to knead by hands just that it would take a little longer to knead the dough.

Step 2 - Proofing

• Line the base of the instant pot with parchment paper, transfer the dough, brush some oil on top so that it does not dry out. Close the lid. Choose Yogurt setting. Set the timer to 15 mins.
• If you do not have an Instant Pot simply oil the bowl in which you kneaded the dough. Put the prepared dough into it. Cover with a tea towel and proof for 30 mins.

Step 3 - Knockback and Shape the Dough

• Once proved, take the dough on your countertop and punch it down several times to release the air bubbles.
• Divide the dough into 7 equal portions of 80 gms each.
• Tuck the sides of each roundel to the bottom and give it a round shape and set aside. Similarly, shape all the portions and keep it covered with a tea towel.
• Take one roundel at a time, poke your finger to the centre of the dough till you see the finger on the other side too.
• Then use two fingers to widen the dough to 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter to get a hole in the centre of the dough. Set aside and shape the remaining roundels too.
• Cover with a tea towel and allow it for an Intermediate Proofing - 15 mins.

Step 4 - Boiling the Bagels

• Fill the Instant Pot with 3 to 4 cups of water. Select the Saute Mode and bring the water to a rolling boil.
• Add the bagels one at a time leaving enough space for them to expand and swell. So at a time I just dropped 2 bagel doughs.
• Cook for a minute then turn the bagel dough using a slotted spoon and cook the other side for a minute as well.
• Take it out on a wire rack, placing the seam side (or not so good side) down and let it drain completely.
• STOVETOP VERSION: Simply bring a large pot full of water to rolling boil. Depending upon the size of the pot boil 2 to 3 bagel dough at a time for a minute on each side. And then drain on wire rack.

Step 5 - Baking

• Once drained place the bagels on a baking tray that has been pre-lined with parchment paper.
• Brush the top with some milk. Alternatively, an egg wash can also be used.
• Sprinkle seeds of your choice.
• Fill a baking pan with the hot water used for boiling the bagels and place it in the bottom rack of the oven. This would create steam to develop the crusty top of the bagels.
• Bake the bagels in the middle rack in a preheated oven of 220°C for 14 to 18 mins.

Video

Notes

1. Make sure that you have a really STIFF DOUGH in order to withstand the high heat while boiling the dough. To achieve that stiffness please use Bread Flour/Strong Flour/High Grade Flour. You can also use APF too but do add extra gluten for stability. 
2. If you are using All Purpose Flour use 340 gms of APF and 10 gms of Gluten.
3. Do not overproof the dough as you will end up with flat bagels.
4. Proofing the Dough in Instant Pot saves you time. Instant Pot Bagels are easy and quick to make comparatively.
5. While Shaping the Dough do keep a gap of 1.5 to 2 inches in the centre as the dough expands while proofing and will cover up the hole. So leave enough margin in the centre so that you do not end up with a belly button or worse case a burger bun 😉
6. Boil 1 min on each side to get the classic chewy and soft texture from within.
7. Always boil just 2 or 3 bagel dough at a time depending upon the size of the pot so that each bagel has enough space to swell up and expand. 
8. Do refer the post on how to serve bagels - have shared my version of the classic Cream Cheese Spread; different variations of bagels and a step by step pictorial tutorial alongwith links to the required tools, equipments and ingredients.

Things to Do while Intermediate Proofing (Step 4):

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C
2. Bring a pot full of water to boil. I used my Instant Pot for this step as well. 
3. Take about 1/4 cup milk in a ramekin or a bowl and set aside. You can also prepare an egg wash if you wish to avoid milk.
4. Keep some seeds like sunflower, poppy or sesame seeds ready in a plate. Or you can also use the everyday bagel seasoning for the same. 
5. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

How to make Yeast Free Bagels?

So I just tried my hands on Yeast Free Bagels and it turned out amazing.

All you need is 2 ingredients to make it in a much simpler way with NO Yeast, NO APF, NO Rise Time

Here is the link to the detailed recipe on How to make 2 ingredients Bagels.

Did you make this recipe? Tag me today!Tag me @spicesandflavors to get featured on my FB and Insta pages

Conclusion:

In just 5 easy to follow steps and in less than an hour, this recipe of homemade bagels would surely make you feel like a Master Chef.

The sense of accomplishment and pride of creating a masterpiece is something that has to be experienced and this recipe promises exactly that.

A step by step tutorial in both pictorial and video format would help you to get the perfect bagels every single time.

If bread baking is your goal for this year then definitely consider subscribing to our Youtube Channel for regular updates.

Pin this to your Bread board or Instant Pot board

I will see you soon with yet another one

Until then

Hugs

Sushma

DISCLOSURE:

This post contains affiliate amazon links which means if you choose to purchase through the link provided in the post then I would earn a commission from the sale with no additional charges to you