Easy Homemade Bagels

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There’s nothing quite like a fresh, chewy, homemade bagel straight from the oven. These Easy Homemade Bagels are simple to make, requiring just a handful of basic ingredients. With a crisp golden crust and a soft, chewy interior, they taste even better than store-bought bagels!

This recipe is beginner-friendly and doesn’t require any fancy equipment. The boiling step gives them that signature bagel chewiness, while baking ensures a golden, slightly crispy crust. Top them with your favorite seasonings like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything bagel seasoning for extra flavor.

Let’s get baking!

Ingredients

For the Bagel Dough:

500g (4 cups) bread flour
7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
10g (1 ½ tsp) salt
15g (1 tbsp) sugar
300ml (1 ¼ cups) warm water

For Boiling:

2 liters (8 cups) water
30g (2 tbsp) honey or brown sugar (for a slightly sweet, chewy crust)

Toppings (Optional):

Sesame seeds
Poppy seeds
Everything bagel seasoning
Coarse salt

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, instant yeast, salt, and sugar.
Gradually add the warm water, mixing until a rough dough forms.
Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes on a floured surface until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 60-90 minutes, or until doubled in size.

Step 2: Shape the Bagels

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 equal portions.
Roll each portion into a ball, then poke a hole in the center using your finger.
Gently stretch the hole until it’s about 2 inches wide (it will shrink slightly when baking).
Place the shaped bagels on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let them rest for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Boil the Bagels

Bring 2 liters of water to a boil in a large pot.
Stir in honey or brown sugar (this helps create a shinier, slightly sweet crust).
Boil the bagels for 30-45 seconds per side. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and place them back on the baking sheet.

Step 4: Add Toppings & Bake

If using toppings, brush the boiled bagels lightly with water and sprinkle with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything bagel seasoning.
Bake in a preheated oven at 220°C (425°F) for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.
Let the bagels cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Nutritional Information (Per Bagel – Makes 8 Bagels)

Calories: 260 kcal
Carbohydrates: 52g
Protein: 9g
Fat: 1g
Fiber: 2g

Note: Nutritional values may vary depending on ingredients and toppings used.

Tips & Tricks for Perfect Bagels

✨ Use bread flour – This gives bagels their signature chewy texture.

✨ Boiling is essential – It helps form that shiny, chewy crust. Don’t skip this step!

✨ Make them ahead – Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

✨ Customize flavors – Try mixing cinnamon and raisins into the dough or adding cheddar and jalapeños for a spicy twist.

✨ Reheat like a pro – Toasting makes leftover bagels taste freshly baked!