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Homemade Bagels Recipe

Crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside—these homemade bagels bring New York bakery flavor straight to your kitchen. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or anytime you crave fresh bread.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups bread flour
  • 1½ cups warm water
  • 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp barley malt syrup or honey (for boiling water)
  • 1 egg white, whisked (optional, for glaze)
  • Toppings: sesame seeds, poppy seeds, everything seasoning, cinnamon sugar

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. Add flour and salt, mixing until dough forms. Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1–1½ hours until doubled.
  4. Punch down dough and divide into 8 pieces. Shape into balls, poke a hole in the center, and stretch into rings.
  5. Bring a pot of water to boil. Add malt syrup or honey. Boil bagels 1–2 minutes per side, then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  6. Brush with egg white (if using) and sprinkle with toppings.
  7. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Notes

  • Boiling is key for chewy texture—don’t skip it!
  • For overnight flavor, refrigerate dough after the first rise.
  • Store bagels in a paper bag for 1–2 days, or slice and freeze for longer storage.

Nutrition

Keywords: homemade bagels, New York bagels, chewy bagels, breakfast bread, brunch recipes