how to create homemade bagels

How to Create Homemade Bagels in Simple Steps

Bagels are a chewy, delicious breakfast or snack loved by people all over the world. If you’ve ever wondered how to make them at home, you’re in luck! Homemade bagels are surprisingly easy to prepare, and they taste even better than store-bought ones. Whether you enjoy them plain, topped with sesame seeds, or slathered with cream cheese, making bagels from scratch is a rewarding experience. You don’t need fancy equipment or special skills. Just follow these simple steps to create soft, golden bagels in your own kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To get started, you’ll need just a few basic ingredients:

4 cups of all-purpose flour (or bread flour for extra chewiness)
1 ½ teaspoons of salt
1 tablespoon of sugar
2 ¼ teaspoons of instant yeast (one packet)
1 ¼ cups of warm water (not too hot—lukewarm is best)
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil (optional, for added softness)
Seeds and toppings such as sesame, poppy, or everything bagel mix (optional)

Step 1: Make the Dough

Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, sugar, and instant yeast. Make a small well in the center and pour in the warm water. Add the vegetable oil if you’re using it.
Mix the dough: Stir everything together with a spoon or use your hands until the dough starts to come together. If the dough feels too sticky, sprinkle in a bit more flour. If it feels dry, add a tiny splash of water.
Knead the dough: Transfer the dough onto a clean countertop or work surface and knead it for about 10 minutes. Kneading is simple—just press, fold, and push the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Let it rest: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise for about 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until it doubles in size.

Step 2: Shape the Bagels

Divide the dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Divide it into 8 equal pieces if you’re making regular-sized bagels.
Roll into balls: Shape each piece of dough into a ball. Try to make them as smooth as possible for even bagels.
Make the hole: The hole is what makes a bagel a bagel! Use your thumbs to poke a hole in the center of each ball, then gently stretch the dough into a ring shape. Don’t make the hole too small because it might close up while baking.

Step 3: Boil the Bagels

Boiling the bagels before baking gives them their iconic chewy texture. Here’s how:

Prepare a pot of boiling water: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a gentle boil. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey to the water for extra flavor.
Boil the bagels: Working in batches, place 2-3 bagels into the boiling water. Let them boil for 1 minute per side, flipping them carefully with a spatula or slotted spoon.
Dry the bagels: Remove the boiled bagels and place them on a clean kitchen towel or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to dry slightly.

Step 4: Bake the Bagels

Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Add toppings: If you want fancy bagels, brush the tops with a little beaten egg or milk to make them shiny and help the toppings stick. Sprinkle on sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or your favorite mix.
Bake the bagels: Place the bagels in the oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until they turn golden brown. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Cool and enjoy: Remove the bagels from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for a few minutes. They’ll smell amazing, but give them a bit of time to cool before digging in!

Tips for Homemade Bagel Success

Use bread flour for chewier bagels: Bread flour has more protein, which gives your bagels a thicker, chewier texture.
Don’t skip the boiling step: Boiling is what creates the shiny crust and chewy texture that bagels are known for.
Experiment with flavors: Add cinnamon and raisins to the dough for sweet bagels, or knead in dried herbs like garlic and rosemary for savory ones.
Freeze extras: Bagels freeze well! Once they’ve cooled completely, wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and store them in your freezer for up to 3 months.

The Joy of Homemade Bagels

Making bagels at home is not only fun, but it also lets you customize them however you like. You can bake plain bagels, slather them with cream cheese and jam, or create hearty sandwiches. Best of all, you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you made them from scratch!

Try these simple steps, and soon enough, you’ll have a batch of fresh, warm bagels ready to impress your family and friends. Happy baking!