How to Make Perfect Bagels: A Step-by-Step Guide

Bagels are a delicious, round-shaped bread that is beloved by many all over the world. It is a great option for breakfast or anytime one wants a quick snack. If you are a bagel lover and have always wondered how to make it, then this article is for you! In just a few easy steps, you will be able to make deliciously chewy homemade bagels in the comfort of your own kitchen.

The process of making bagels is simple and straightforward, even if you are not an experienced baker. All you need is some basic ingredients, such as flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. With a little bit of patience and practice, you can have a batch of warm and fresh bagels freshly baked from your oven, ready to be topped and enjoyed to your heart’s content. Let’s get started!

Section 2: How to make Bagels – Step by Step Guide

1. Gather the ingredients

Before starting the process of making bagels, it is important to gather all the ingredients in one place. You will need flour, salt, sugar, yeast, water, and malt powder. You can also add different flavorings like sesame seeds, poppy seeds or cinnamon to jazz up your bagels.

2. Knead the dough

In a mixing bowl, add the flour, salt, sugar and yeast. Mix it well and add water gradually to the mix. Knead the dough for at least 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover the dough and let it rest for an hour.

3. Preheat the oven

In the meantime, preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This temperature and medium to high heat give the bagels their chewy crust.

4. Divide the dough

After the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into equal sized balls. The standard size for a bagel is about 4oz(110g) to 5oz(140g). You can make as many balls as you like, depending on how many bagels you want to make.

5. Shape the bagels

To shape the bagels, poke a hole in the center of each dough ball and gradually stretch the dough out. Make the hole reasonably large, as they will shrink in size during cooking. This is the time to add toppings if you like.

6. Boil the bagels

Now, bring some water to boil in a large pot and add the malt powder to it. The malt powder adds a sweet flavor and helps to give the bagels their chewy exterior. Add the bagels to the boiling water and cook for a minute on each side, flipping them halfway through cooking.

7. Bake the bagels

Remove the bagels from the boiling water and place them on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake them in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until they turn golden brown. Let the bagels cool on a wire rack.

8. Serve the bagels

Once the bagels have cooled down, you can either have them plain or with your favorite spreads and toppings. Cream cheese, smoked salmon, and butter are some of the classic toppings that go well with bagels.

9. Store the bagels

Bagels keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat them, wrap them in aluminum foil and place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes.

10. Experiment with flavors

The great thing about bagels is that you can experiment with a variety of flavors. Add some Asiago cheese, blueberries, cinnamon, or jalapenos to the dough. You can also add a variety of toppings to the bagels before baking, like salt, sesame seeds, or nuts. The possibilities are endless!

Getting Started: Necessary Ingredients and Supplies

Making bagels requires both traditional ingredients and specific equipment. Before proceeding with the recipe, it’s essential to have every ingredient, utensil, and appliance ready to go.

Ingredients:

First and foremost, you’ll need flour, yeast, salt, and sugar, which are the core ingredients. When it comes to flour, bread flour is best and preferred by many bagel makers. For a classic New York-style taste, malt syrup or honey is a must-have. Additional ingredients like vegetable oil, eggs, and mashed potatoes can enhance the dough’s structure and taste.

Utensils:

A large mixing bowl is required to mix the ingredients properly. Mix the dough using your hands or a stand mixer with a dough hook. A bench scraper helps dough handling, and a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap covers the dough while it rises. For shaping the dough into bagels, you will also need a sharp knife and some parchment paper.

Appliances:

A basic home oven can do the trick, but some professional bakers use commercial size convection ovens to get more even baking and caramelization. Aluminum baking sheets, a pot large enough to boil water, and a wire rack for cooling the bagels are also essential.

Setting Up:

Before starting, it’s crucial to have all the ingredients and tools in place, a clean and organized kitchen workspace, and enough time to finish the process. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line the baking sheet with parchment paper. Fill the pot with a generous amount of water and bring it to a boil. Add some malt syrup or honey to the boiling water for extra flavor.

Planning the Timing:

Making bagels is a time-consuming process. Give yourself at least two-three hours to complete, from start to finish. You can break down the time into several sessions the day before to make the process more manageable.

Choosing the Perfect Day:

Choose a day when you are not busy, and you can give your full attention to the recipe. It’s also essential to choose a relatively low-humidity day that will not affect the dough’s rising process.

Measuring the Ingredients:

Precise measurement of ingredients is important to ensure that the dough texture and taste are perfect. Use measuring cups and spoons while following the recipe’s instructions, and don’t use a generic tablespoon or cup.

Kneading the Dough:

Kneading the dough is the crucial part of the recipe that affects the final result. Kneading helps develop the gluten strands and creates that signature chewy texture of a perfect bagel. Use either a stand mixer or your hands to knead, and follow the recipe’s instructions closely.

Rising the Dough:

After kneading, the dough needs to rest and rise. Keep the dough in a warm, draft-free area and covered with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise until it doubles in size, which takes around one hour.

Boiling the Bagels:

Boiling the dough is a critical step that seals the surface of the bagel, preventing it from getting puffy while baking. Add bagels to the boiling water and cook each side for 30 seconds. Place the boiled bagels on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Baking the Bagels:

Baking time and temperature can significantly vary, depending on the oven, dough consistency, and size of the bagels. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Once done, place the bagels on a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.

Ingredients Needed to Make Bagels

Making bagels is not a complicated process and only requires a few ingredients that are readily available in most kitchens. In this section, we will provide you with a list of the ingredients that you will need to prepare the perfect bagels.

Flour

Flour is the key ingredient to making bagels. Use high-protein bread flour, which will give your bagels the required chewiness. All-purpose flour doesn’t have the same amount of gluten as bread flour, and this can affect the texture of your bagels.

Water and Yeast

Water is an essential ingredient in making bagels, and you will need your water to be warm enough to activate the yeast. Yeast is what will make your bagels rise and give them their fluffy texture. It is important to use active dry yeast, which is readily available in most grocery stores.

Sugar

Sugar plays a crucial role in giving your bagels their distinct flavor. It also helps in the browning of the bagels. You can use granulated sugar, brown sugar, or honey.

Salt

Adding salt to your bagel recipe gives it a perfect balance of flavors. The salt also helps in enhancing the gluten development, which gives your bagels their signature chewiness.

Egg

Using eggs in bagel recipes can make the dough richer and denser. It also gives them a shiny crust and a golden color. Large eggs are what is usually required in a bagel recipe.

In conclusion, preparing the right ingredients is the first step to a successful bagel-making process. Ensuring that you have the right ingredients at hand will make the process hassle-free, enjoyable, and delicious. With the ingredients listed above, you can now proceed to the next step, which is to make the dough.

Enjoy Your Homemade Bagels!

Hopefully, this article has helped you learn how to make homemade bagels. Remember to take your time and enjoy the process – making bagels can be a fun and rewarding experience! Don’t forget to experiment with different flavors and toppings to make your bagels unique. Thanks for reading, and come back soon for more kitchen inspiration!