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3-Step Perfect Bagel Recipe You’ll Bake Again and Again

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Snack
Cuisine: American, Eastern European, Jewish-American

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups (500g) bread flour
  • 1 tablespoon (12g) sugar
  • 2 teaspoons (7g) instant yeast
  • 1½ teaspoons (9g) salt
  • 1½ cups (360ml) warm water
  • 8 cups water For Boiling:
  • 2 tablespoons sugar or honey For Boiling:
  • Sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried onion, garlic flakes, or coarse salt Toppings (optional):

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Kitchen scale (optional but convenient)
  • Large pot of boiling water
  • Slotted spoon
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Kitchen towel or plastic wrap

Method
 

  1. Combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in large bowl. Add warm water and stir until it is a ball of dough.
  2. Knead dough on lightly floured surface 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. Put it into oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise 1 hour until doubled.
  4. Cut dough into 8 pieces. Roll each into a ball, create hole through center, and pull out into a ring.
  5. Let rested bagels sit 10 minutes on a lined baking sheet.
  6. Boil water with sugar. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  7. Boil bagels 1 minute on each side, then put on a lined baking sheet.
  8. Add toppings if desired. Bake 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
  9. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving.

Video

Notes

Consistency of dough: Bagel dough should be stiff and firm, not soft. Too sticky, add extra flour 1 tablespoon at a time.
Temperature of water: Warm water should be around 100-110°F (38-43°C). Too hot will kill the yeast.
Hole size matters: Make the center hole bigger than you want it to be—it will narrow up as it boils and bakes.
Boiling step: Don't skip it! Boiling is what creates the chewy center and shiny crust on bagels.
Storage: Store at room temperature in a closed bag for 2-3 days. Store longer (up to 3 months) in the freezer.
Reheating: Toast frozen bagels straight from the freezer, or thaw first at room temperature.
Flavor variations: Add raisins and cinnamon to the dough to create cinnamon raisin bagels, or try dried herbs for savory flavors.