How to Make a Delicious Bagel at Home

Bagels are the perfect breakfast food or snack for any time of day. These round, doughy treats are a staple of many cultures and can be found in nearly every bakery. But did you know that making your own bagels at home is not only easy but fun too! All you need is a few simple ingredients and some patience to create your own delicious bagels from scratch.

To start, you’ll need flour, yeast, salt, sugar, water, and a bit of oil. Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl, and then add in the water and oil. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Let the dough rest for about an hour until it doubles in size. Then, divide the dough into equal pieces and shape them into rings. Boil the bagels for a minute on each side, and then bake them in the oven until golden brown. Add your favorite toppings, like cream cheese or jam, and enjoy your freshly baked bagels!

Making the Dough

The Ingredients

One of the most crucial parts of making bagels is using the right ingredients. Most recipes call for bread flour, which has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, and gives the bagels their signature chewy texture. You’ll also need water, yeast, salt, sugar, and optionally, honey or malt syrup to add extra flavor.

Mixing the Dough

Combine your flour, yeast, salt, and sugar in a bowl or stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add your water and mix until your dough forms. Knead the dough by hand or with your mixer for at least 10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a ball and let it rise in a greased bowl covered with a damp towel in a warm spot for an hour.

Diving the Dough

Once your dough has risen, it’s time to divide it. You can weigh it and divide it into equal parts or estimate each dough portion depending on the size of the bagel you want. Typically, each bagel dough ball will weigh around 100g. Roll each ball gently between your palms to shape it into a smooth sphere.

Shaping the Bagels

Using your index finger, punch a hole through the center of each ball, stretching the dough out slightly as you work. You can also use both thumbs or a wooden spoon handle to make the hole. The hole should be around 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

Proofing the Bagels

Let the bagels proof for about 10-20 minutes on a lightly floured surface. This is also an excellent time to preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).

Boiling the Bagels

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1-2 tablespoons of sugar. Carefully place the bagels in the water, a few at a time, and boil for 30 seconds on each side. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bagels from the water and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Toppings & Flavors

At this point, you can add any toppings you’d like, such as sea salt, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, minced onion, or cheese. You can also add some additional flavors by brushing the bagels with honey or malt syrup, which gives them a sweeter taste.

Baking the Bagels

Bake your bagels for 15-20 minutes or until they’re golden brown. Let them cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing them open. You can store them in an airtight container and keep them for up to 3-4 days or freeze them for future use.

Final Thoughts

Bagels may look intimidating, but they’re surprisingly easy to make! You don’t need any special equipment either; mostly the standard kitchen tools. Whether you’re making them for breakfast, lunch or a snack, the satisfaction of freshly baked bagels is second to none. Give it a go and impress your family and friends with your homemade bagels!

Ingredients Needed to Make a Bagel

Now that you know a bit about the history of bagels, it’s time to get started on making your own! Before you begin, be sure to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Flour
The most important ingredient in bagel making is flour. You’ll need around 4 cups of strong bread flour, which has a higher protein content than regular all-purpose flour. This is what gives bagels their chewy texture.

2. Yeast
Active dry yeast is what makes your bagels rise. You’ll need 2 teaspoons of it.

3. Water
You’ll need 1 1/2 cups of warm water to activate the yeast and mix the dough.

4. Salt
Salt is what gives the bagels their flavor. You’ll need 2 teaspoons.

5. Sugar
Sugar is used to feed the yeast and help the dough rise. You’ll need 1 tablespoon.

6. Toppings
You can add a variety of toppings to customize your bagels. Popular options include sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, and onion flakes.

7. Cornmeal
Cornmeal is used to dust the baking sheet so the bagels don’t stick.

8. Egg Wash
An egg wash is what gives the bagels their shiny, golden crust. You’ll need 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of water.

9. Baking Soda
Some people like to add baking soda to the boiling water when cooking the bagels. This helps give them a crispy crust.

10. Optional Ingredients
If you want to get creative, you can add other ingredients to the dough like cinnamon, raisins, or chocolate chips.

Now that you have everything you need, let’s move on to the next step: making the dough.

Ingredients for Bagel Recipe

Bagels are simple to make but a little attention to detail can make your bagels the best in the neighborhood. Thus, it’s essential to gather all the ingredients in the correct proportions to make the perfect batch of bagels. Here are the ingredients you will require:

Bread Flour – The Base Ingredient for Bagels

One of the essential ingredients in the bagel recipe is the flour. You need a specific kind of flour that’s high in protein and gluten to ensure that your bagels come out with the right texture. Bread flour is the perfect type for the job. The high protein content in bread flour enables your dough to have a springy texture and a good chew, which is essential for a good bagel.

Water – The Key Ingredient That Can Make or Break Your Bagel

Water is crucial in making bagels. The quality of the water you use has a direct impact on the flavor and texture of your bagels. Many cities have hard water that can taste terrible and adversely affect the outcome of your bagel recipe. Thus, using filtered or bottled water is recommended to get the best results.

Sugar or Honey – Adding Sweetness to the Dough

Sugar or honey is used for flavor and also helps in the fermentation process of the yeast. Using sugar or honey is a personal preference, but they work the same in our recipe. Adding sweetness to your bagel dough is highly recommended if you want a sweet, tasty, and flavorful bagel. You can skip the sweetener if you want a plain bagel.

Yeast – The Magic Ingredient for Fermentation

Yeast is what makes bread and bagels rise. The yeast feeds off the sugar and produces carbon dioxide, which causes the dough to rise. There are various types of yeasts available in the market, but we recommend using instant yeast as it is easier to handle and won’t require you to proof it.

Salt – The Missing Ingredient That Can Change Everything

Salt is often the most overlooked ingredient in a bagel recipe, but it plays a vital role in enhancing the flavor of the bagel. A little salt goes a long way in making your bagel taste better. It also strengthens the gluten structure, giving your bagel the perfect chewiness.

Now that you have all the necessary ingredients, let’s dive into the recipe to make your bagels!

Enjoy Your Homemade Bagels!

Congratulations, you have successfully made your own bagels from scratch! You can now enjoy these warm and doughy treats with your favorite toppings. Thank you for reading this article and I hope it has inspired you to keep experimenting in the kitchen. Keep practicing and you’ll be a bagel expert in no time. Don’t forget to come back and visit us for more fun and easy recipes that anyone can make. Happy baking!