Ever walk past a bakery and catch a whiff of freshly baked bagels? That warm, yeasty aroma that makes you want to stop everything and grab a bagel (or three)?
Guess what — you don’t need to wait in line at your local bagel shop. You can make that magic happen right in your own kitchen!
Homemade bagels might seem intimidating, but trust me — once you make them from scratch, you’ll realize how fun and surprisingly simple it can be.
Why Make Your Own Bagels?
Bagels from the store can be fine, but homemade bagels truly stand out. Here’s why:
Customization: You can choose your favorite toppings, flavors, and sizes.
Freshness: Eating them warm right out of the oven is a completely different experience.
Fun: Kneading, shaping, and boiling bagels is genuinely therapeutic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the dough:
- 4 cups (500g) bread flour (you can also use all-purpose, but bread flour makes them chewier)
- 1 1/2 cups (360ml) warm water (about 110 Fahrenheit)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
For boiling:
- Large pot of water
- 1 tablespoon baking soda (helps create that signature bagel crust)
Toppings (optional but highly recommended):
- Sesame seeds
- Poppy seeds
- Everything bagel seasoning
- Dried onion flakes
- Coarse salt
Step 1: Make the Dough
In a small bowl, mix warm water and sugar, then sprinkle in the yeast. Let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes until it looks foamy.
This step, called proofing, ensures the yeast is alive and ready to work.
In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), combine the flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and mix until a rough dough forms.
If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for about 8 minutes.
By hand, knead on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Shape it into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for about one hour, or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Shape the Bagels
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide it into 8 equal pieces for medium-sized bagels, or 10 to 12 for smaller ones.
Roll each piece into a smooth ball. Poke your finger through the center of each ball and gently stretch it into a ring shape.
The hole should be about 1.5 inches wide because it will shrink as they rise and bake.
Place your shaped bagels on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover them with a damp cloth and let them rest for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 3: Boil the Bagels
While the bagels rest, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the baking soda.
Gently drop 2 to 3 bagels into the water at a time, making sure not to overcrowd them. Boil each side for about 45 seconds.
This boiling step is what gives bagels their signature chewy crust and shiny exterior.
Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them back on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 4: Add Toppings
While the bagels are still a bit wet from boiling, sprinkle on your favorite toppings.
You can go classic with sesame or poppy seeds, or try everything seasoning for extra flavor. If you want to make cinnamon-sugar bagels, brush them with egg wash and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top (for sweet versions, you can skip boiling if you want a softer crust).
Step 5: Bake
Preheat your oven to 425 Fahrenheit.
Bake the bagels for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Let them cool on a wire rack before slicing, if you can wait that long.
Enjoy Your Homemade Bagels
Slice them, toast them, smear with cream cheese, pile on smoked salmon, or load them with egg and avocado — the possibilities are endless.
Homemade bagels stay fresh for a couple of days in an airtight container, or you can freeze them for up to a month.
Final Thoughts
Making bagels at home is like creating a little piece of bakery magic in your kitchen. Once you try it, you might never go back to store-bought.
Ready to make your mornings extra special?
Save this recipe, share it with a friend, and let me know your favorite bagel toppings.