In this instructable I will show you how to make bagels. This homemade from scratch bagel recipe is really easy to make. I love a good bagel in the morning, covered in cream cheese, or butter, or peanut butter. Sometimes I like to make a bagel breakfast sandwich with eggs and bacon. There are so many awesome ways to eat a bagel and these homemade bagels do not disappoint! If I can do it, you can do it. Let's get baking!

What is your favorite way to eat a bagel? Drop a comment down below and let me know. :)

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Follow the easy steps below or watch the video tutorial or to both. :)

Step 1: Ingredients/Tools

Print the full recipe here.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups of warm water (100 to 110 F / 37 to 44 C) (375ml)
3 tsp. of active dry yeast (9g)
1 tsp. of white granulated sugar
4 cups bread flour or (all-purpose/plain) You may only wind up using about 3.5 cups. (512g)
1 Tbsp. of brown sugar (15g)
2 tsp. of table salt (8g)

Egg Wash:

1 large egg
2 tsp. of water

For Boiling:

2 quarts of water (about 2 liters)
1/4 cup of honey

Tools:

Large pot
Whisk
slotted spatula or spider strainer
basting brush
bowls
sheet pans
silicone mats or parchment paper
wire rack
plastic wrap
damp dish cloth

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Step 2: Prep the Yeast

First we need to get the yeast started. Heat up your water to between (100 to 110 F / 37 to 44 C). Then add in the teaspoon of white granulated sugar which will act as food for the yeast. This isn't always necessary, but I always add the sugar. Then add in your active dry yeast, agitate it a bit with a fork, then let it sit for 10 minutes until it gets nice and foamy. If it doesn't get foamy either the yeast was bad, or the water was too hot or not hot enough, so you will need to start again.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

Now in another bowl, using a whisk, mix together the brown sugar, flour, and salt.

Step 4: Dough Time

Now transfer the yeast mixture into a large bowl, then slowly add in your flour mixture, about 1/3 of it at a time. Add some flour, then mix with a wooden spoon, or stand mixer, then add more flour, etc. Do this until the dough starts to come together and is a bit tacky. To make blueberry or cinnamon raisin bagels, during this step add your raisins or blueberries, about 1/2 cup worth, and about 2 tsp. of cinnamon with your flour.

Step 5: This Is How We Knead It

Next pour out the dough onto a floured surface and knead the dough for 10 minutes, adding more flour as necessary. The reason why we don't dump all the flour in at once is we may not need all the flour. In this case I wound up with about 1/2 cup left of my dry ingredients. To knead the dough, fold it over onto itself then push it with the palm of your hand away from you stretching it slightly, then turn to dough a quarter turn and repeat the process.

Step 6: Let It Rise, Let It Rise...

Next shape the dough into a ball and place in a large bowl with about a tsp. of olive oil. Coat the dough with the oil and the sides of the bowl. Place a damp dish cloth over the top and place in a warm spot and let the dough rise for 90 minutes to 2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 7: Cut That Dough

Once the dough has risen, pour it out onto your work surface and then using a dough cutter or scraper or a knife, cut the dough into 8 pieces.

Step 8: Shape the Bagels

Now we need to shape the dough into bagels. There are a variety of methods on how to do this. You can just take a dough ball and roll in your hands until into a ball, or you can fold the ends into the middle of the underside of the ball, which stretches the top of the ball and makes it more smooth, then roll it on the counter with the fold side down. Next place your thumb in the middle of the ball and rotate it while pressing until your thumb goes through creating a hole. Then take your fingers and roll it stretching gently in the middle making the hole a little larger.

Step 9: Place and Rise

Now place the dough that has been formed onto a parchment paper or silicone mat lined sheet pan and cover them loosely with plastic wrap. Let them rise for about 30 minutes.

Step 10: Boil That Water

At around the 15 minute mark while the bagels are rising, take a large pot and add about 2 quarts (approx 2 liters) of water into it. Place the pot on your burner and set it to high. We want to bring the water to a boil. Add in your honey. Some recipes call for baking soda in the water. This one just calls for honey. Once the water is boiling we are ready.

Step 11: Boil Both Sides

Now we drop in three or four of our bagels into the boiling water, using a spatula or spider strainer. Boil them on this side for 1 minute, then flip them over in the water and boil the other side for a minute. Once done bring them out of the water let the excess water drain off then place it on a wire rack that is sitting on a sheet pan. Do this with all of your bagels.

Step 12: Egg Wash and Baking

Next preheat the oven to 425 F (218 C). While the oven is preheating we will take our boiled bagels and transfer them to a parchment paper or silicone mat lined sheet pan. We don't want them crowded so only add 4 to 6 per pan. Make a simple egg wash by taking 1 large egg and about 2 tsp. of water. Then beat it with a fork or small whisk. Using a basting brush, brush the tops and sides of the bagels with the egg wash. At this point you will add any toppings like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic flakes, etc. Once we are done we can bake them in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes. At the 10 minute mark rotate them in the oven, to ensure even baking. Once they are baked they will have a nice dark golden brown top. Let them cool for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 13: Serve Them Up!

Now serve those bagels up. However you like eating your bagel. One of my favorite ways is just taking a plain bagel, toasting it, and adding plain cream cheese. What are your favorite ways? Drop a comment down below and let me know. :) Enjoy!

Step 14: Video Tutorial