Bagels are a beloved breakfast staple that can easily elevate your morning routine. Making bagels at home may seem daunting, but with the right ingredients and techniques, you can achieve that perfect chewy texture and delicious flavor. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making the best homemade bagels.
Ingredients
For the Bagel Dough:
– 4 cups bread flour (plus extra for dusting)
– 1 tablespoon sugar
– 2 teaspoons salt
– 2 teaspoons instant yeast
– 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
For the Boiling Water:
– 2 quarts water
– 2 tablespoons malt syrup or honey (optional, for flavor)
For the Toppings (optional):
– Coarse sea salt
– Poppy seeds
– Sesame seeds
– Everything bagel seasoning (a mix of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic powder, onion flakes, and salt)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Add Water: Gradually pour the warm water into the dry ingredients while stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. The dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle in a little more flour as you knead.
Step 2: First Rise
- Form a Ball: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
- Let it Rise: Allow the dough to rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 3: Shape the Bagels
- Divide the Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently and turn it out onto a floured surface. Divide it into 8 equal pieces (or more if you want smaller bagels).
- Shape: Take one piece of dough, roll it into a ball, then use your thumb to poke a hole in the center. Gently stretch the hole to about 2-3 inches in diameter. Try to maintain an even thickness all around. Repeat with the remaining pieces of dough.
- Rest the Shaped Bagels: Place the shaped bagels on a floured baking sheet, cover them with a kitchen towel, and let them rest for about 30 minutes.
Step 4: Boil the Bagels
- Prepare Boiling Water: In a large pot, bring the 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add the malt syrup or honey if using.
- Boil the Bagels: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Once boiling, carefully drop 2-3 bagels at a time into the water. Boil for about 1 minute on each side for a chewier texture, or 2-3 minutes for a softer bagel. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them back on the baking sheet.
Step 5: Add Toppings
- Choose Your Toppings: If desired, sprinkle your chosen toppings over the wet bagels while they are still damp from boiling.
Step 6: Bake the Bagels
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bagels are golden brown and have a nice shine.
- Cool: Once done, remove the bagels from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
Enjoy Your Homemade Bagels
Now that you’ve made delicious homemade bagels, you can slice them and enjoy them with cream cheese, smoked salmon, or any toppings of your choice. Homemade bagels are best enjoyed fresh, but you can also freeze them for later enjoyment. Just slice them before freezing, and toast them straight from the freezer when you’re ready.