If you’ve been craving a soft, chewy, golden bagel fresh out of the oven, this bagel recipe is the only guide you need. Whether you love classic plain bagels, sesame, everything bagels, or cinnamon-raisin, this beginner-friendly recipe helps you create bakery-quality bagels right in your own kitchen.

In this blog, you’ll learn:
✔ The exact ingredients for perfect texture
✔ The step-by-step method (easy, even if it’s your first time!)
✔ Pro baking tips to get shiny crusts like New York-style bagels
✔ Delicious topping ideas and flavor variations

Let’s get baking!

🥯 Why This Bagel Recipe Works

This recipe uses high-gluten flour, a proper boiling step, and a balanced yeast + sugar mix to create the signature chewiness and glossy crust bagels are famous for.
It’s simple, customizable, and perfect for breakfast, sandwiches, or meal prep.

⭐ Ingredients for the Best Homemade Bagels

🥣 Step-by-Step Bagel Recipe

1. Prepare the Dough

Mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
Add flour and salt, then knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

2. First Rise

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled.

3. Shape the Bagels

Divide dough into 8 equal pieces.
Roll each into a ball, poke a hole in the center, and stretch gently to form a classic bagel shape.

4. Boil the Bagels

Bring water to a boil, add honey, and boil each bagel 45 seconds per side.
(Boiling creates the iconic chewy crust!)

5. Add Toppings

Brush with egg wash and sprinkle sesame, poppy, everything seasoning, or cinnamon sugar.

6. Bake

Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 18–20 minutes until golden brown.

🧾 Estimated Cost to Make 8 Homemade Bagels

🧡 Tips for Perfect Bagels Every Time

• Use bread flour for authentic chewiness.
• Boiling is not optional—it’s what makes a bagel a bagel.
• For extra shine, add ½ tsp baking soda to the boiling water.
• Let bagels cool on a wire rack to keep bottoms crisp.

😋 Best Bagel Toppings & Variations

• Everything seasoning
• Sesame or poppy seeds
• Cheese bagels (cheddar/jalapeño)
• Cinnamon-raisin (mix raisins + cinnamon into dough)
• Garlic and herb bagels

Conclusion

Making homemade bagels is much easier than most people think—and the results are far better than store-bought. With a simple dough, a quick rise, and the essential boiling step, you can create soft, chewy, golden bagels right in your own kitchen. Whether you enjoy sesame, everything seasoning, or just a plain classic, this recipe gives you bakery-quality bagels every time. Try different toppings, experiment with flavors, and enjoy fresh bagels that taste better than anything you can buy.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Perfect Homemade Bagel Recipe

This easy homemade bagel recipe teaches you how to make soft, chewy, New York–style bagels with simple ingredients. The dough comes together quickly, rises to perfection, and boils in honey water to create that classic glossy crust. Whether topped with sesame, poppy seeds, or everything seasoning, these bakery-style bagels bake golden brown and taste even better fresh from your kitchen. Perfect for breakfast, sandwiches, or meal prep!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

1.30 hour 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

Servings: 8 Bagels

Course: Bread, Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Calories: 290

Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 cups (500 g) bread flour (high-gluten)
• 1 ⅓ cups (320 ml) warm water (100–110°F / 38–43°C)
• 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast (1 packet)
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 tsp fine salt

For Boiling & Finishing

• Water (large pot)
• 2 tbsp honey (for boiling water)
• 1 beaten (for egg wash)
• Toppings: sesame seeds, poppy seeds, everything seasoning, coarse salt

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and measuring spoons
• Dough scraper (optional but useful)
• Stand mixer with dough hook (optional)
• Clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap
• Slotted spoon
• Wire cooling rack
• Baking sheet
• Oven

Method

 

1. In a small bowl, mix warm water, instant yeast, and sugar. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
2. In a large bowl, combine bread flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and mix until a rough dough forms.
3. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
5. Punch down dough and divide into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball.
6. Poke a hole in the center of each ball and stretch gently to form a bagel shape.
7. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 2 tbsp honey, and stir.
9. Boil each bagel for 45 seconds per side. Remove and place on a rack to drain.
10. Brush each bagel with egg wash and add desired toppings.
11. Transfer to the baking sheet and bake for 18–20 minutes until golden brown.
12. Cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing or serving.

Video

Notes

• For extra chewiness, let dough rise slowly in the fridge overnight.
• For darker crusts, add 1 tbsp baking soda to boiling water.
• Bagels freeze well — slice them first, store in a zip bag, and toast straight from frozen.

Content Information Source:- https://www.sophisticatedgourmet.com/2009/10/new-york-style-bagel-recipe/

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