Bagels are a beloved breakfast food that can be found in coffee shops and bakeries around the world. However, there’s nothing quite like a fresh and warm bagel straight out of the oven.
Making bagels from scratch may seem daunting, but with a little effort and patience, you can achieve perfectly chewy and delicious bagels at home.
Table of contents
Ingredients and Supplies Needed:
- 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) warm water (between 110-100 degrees F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1/4 oz) active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 4 1/2 cups (540 g) bread flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- Large pot
- Rimmed baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cookie cutter (optional)
- Stand mixer with dough hook (optional)
- Oil
Mixing the Dough
To begin, combine warm water and active dry yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar to substitute for barley malt syrup. Mix it up and let it sit for 10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
In the meantime, measure out 4 1/2 cups of bread flour and add 2 teaspoons of salt. Mix the flour with yeast mixture by hand or using a stand mixer with dough hook until the dough is smooth and elastic. It should pass the “windowpane test” when stretched.
Let the Dough Rest
Put the dough into an oiled bowl and cover it. Let it rest for an hour in a warm place.
Shaping the Bagels
After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and divide it into eight pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and flatten it slightly. Use your fingers to create a hole in the middle and stretch it out to 2 inches wide. Place each bagel on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let them rest for 20 minutes.
Boiling the Bagels
While the bagels rest, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add three tablespoons of brown sugar and a tablespoon of baking soda to the water to make it alkaline. Carefully drop the bagels into the boiling water and boil for 1 minute on each side. Use a spider or slotted spoon to remove the bagels from the water and place them back on the baking sheet.
Baking the Bagels
Sprinkle your preferred toppings on the bagels, such as everything seasoning or poppy seeds, and place them in the oven for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, flip them over and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until they are golden brown.
Enjoy Your Delicious Homemade Bagels!
Once your bagels are out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes before slicing and adding your favorite toppings like cream cheese, smoked salmon, or avocado.
With a little practice, you’ll be able to make bagels that are just as good, if not better, than the ones you find at your favorite coffee shop.
