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A stack of artisanal homemade bagels, golden brown and perfectly baked.

Ultimate Chewy Homemade Bagels

Learn how to make delicious, chewy homemade bagels with this step-by-step recipe. Perfect for breakfast or a hearty snack, these bagels have a delightful texture and can be customized with your favorite toppings.
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Prep Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings 8 bagels
Calories 280 kcal

Equipment

  • large mixing bowl
  • wooden spoon
  • stand mixer with dough hook
  • plastic wrap
  • damp kitchen towel
  • lightly floured surface
  • baking sheet
  • large pot
  • parchment paper
  • slotted spoon
  • wire rack

Ingredients
  

Bagel Dough

  • 1 ½ cups warm water (105-115°F / 40-46°C)
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar divided
  • 4 cups bread flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda

Optional Toppings

  • Everything bagel seasoning
  • sesame seeds
  • poppy seeds
  • dried minced garlic
  • dried minced onion
  • flaky sea salt

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar; let it sit until frothy.
  • Add bread flour and salt to the yeast mixture, then mix until a shaggy dough forms.

Making the Dough

  • Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface or with a stand mixer for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  • Lightly grease a bowl and place the dough in it, turning once to coat; cover and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours until doubled in size.

Shaping and Chilling

  • Punch down the dough, divide into 8-10 pieces, and roll each into a ball.
  • Poke a hole in the center of each ball and stretch it to 1-1.5 inches in diameter, then place on a floured baking sheet.
  • Cover the shaped bagels loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight for 12-24 hours.

Boiling and Baking

  • The next day, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C); fill a large pot with water, the remaining sugar, and baking soda, then bring it to a rolling boil.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray.
  • Carefully drop 2-3 bagels into the boiling water, boiling for 60-90 seconds per side.
  • Remove bagels with a slotted spoon, letting excess water drain, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
  • If desired, sprinkle chosen toppings generously over the wet bagels immediately after boiling.
  • Bake for 18-22 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
  • Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and enjoying.

Notes

Overnight chilling is crucial for the chewy texture of these bagels. Don't skip this step for the best results.