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Homemade Bagels Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 73 reviews

This homemade bagel recipe yields chewy, dense, and golden bagels with a classic crust made from a malt-sweetened water bath. Perfect for toasting and topping with your favorite spreads, these bagels combine simple ingredients and a careful kneading and boiling process to recreate authentic bakery-style bagels at home.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 and 1/2 cups (360ml) warm water (between 100–110°F / 38–43°C)
  • 2 and 3/4 teaspoons (8g) instant or active dry yeast
  • 1 Tablespoon barley malt syrup, granulated sugar, or brown sugar
  • 4 cups (520g) bread flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed
  • 2 teaspoons salt

Bowl Coating

  • Nonstick spray, butter, or oil (for coating the bowl)

Boiling Bath

  • 2 quarts (1.9L) water
  • 1/4 cup (85g) barley malt syrup or honey

Egg Wash

  • 1 egg white beaten with 1 Tablespoon water

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dough: In a stand mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook, whisk the warm water, malt syrup or sugar, and yeast together. Cover and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy. If you don’t use a mixer, mix in a large bowl with a spoon.
  2. Mix the dough: Add the bread flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until the dough forms a rough ball and pulls away from the sides. Add flour or water as needed to achieve a stiff, slightly dry dough.
  3. Knead the dough: Continue kneading on low speed with the dough hook for 6–7 minutes or knead by hand on a lightly floured surface until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky. Use the windowpane test to confirm readiness.
  4. First rise: Lightly grease a large bowl with oil or butter. Place the dough inside, turning to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap or towel and let rise for 1.5–2 hours at room temperature until doubled in size.
  5. Prepare baking sheets: Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  6. Shape the bagels: Punch down the risen dough to release air. On a floured surface, divide into 8 equal pieces (~4 oz each). Shape each into balls, poke a hole through the center with your finger, and stretch it to about 1.5–2 inches diameter. Arrange on baking sheets, cover loosely, and rest for 5–10 minutes.
  7. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C).
  8. Boil the bagels: Bring 2 quarts of water mixed with 1/4 cup barley malt syrup or honey to a boil. Reduce to medium-high heat. Boil 2-3 bagels at a time for 1 minute on each side. Remove with a slotted spatula and drain excess water. Return bagels to baking sheets.
  9. Apply egg wash and toppings: Brush each bagel with the beaten egg white mixture. If desired, immediately dip the tops into toppings of choice.
  10. Bake: Bake the bagels for 20–25 minutes, rotating pans halfway through, until the bagels are dark golden brown.
  11. Cool: Let the bagels cool on the baking sheets for 20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack until completely cool.
  12. Serve and store: Slice, toast, and add your favorite toppings to enjoy. Store leftovers tightly covered at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Notes

  • Using barley malt syrup in the water bath enhances browning and adds authentic bagel flavor, but honey or sugar can be used as substitutes.
  • The dough should be stiff but still slightly tacky; too much flour will make dry bagels, while too little will cause stickiness.
  • Kneading properly is key for chewy texture; use the windowpane test to ensure gluten development.
  • Boiling the bagels before baking creates the signature chewy crust and shiny exterior.
  • Egg wash helps achieve a glossy finish; skip for a matte crust or use milk or cream instead for variation.
  • You can add toppings like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything bagel seasoning immediately after egg wash before baking.
  • Make sure water is at a gentle boil for boiling bagels to prevent them from becoming overly soft or falling apart.
  • Store bagels properly to maintain freshness; freezing is also an option for longer storage.

Keywords: homemade bagels, bagel recipe, chewy bagels, baked bagels, breakfast bread, yeast bread

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/homemade-bagels-recipe/