• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The Urben Life
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Work With Me
  • Shop
    • My E-Cookbooks
    • Promo Codes and Discounts
    • Gift Guides
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
You are here: Home / Food and Drink / Bread / Homemade Bagels

Homemade Bagels

June 2, 2016 by Jenna | The Urben Life 22 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Learn how to make homemade bagels with just 5 ingredients. Chewy, flavorful, and delicious! 

Learn how to make homemade bagels with just 5 ingredients. Chewy, flavorful, and delicious! 

Making your own soft and chewy bagels are easier than you may think! Yes, these made-from-scratch rounds take some time but the reward is well worth the wait.

I have always loved grabbing a bagel on the way to school/work or after church, but once I baked my first batch, I was hooked! There’s nothing like the aroma of homemade bread, fresh from the oven. These flavorful and filling bagels have the perfect texture and it’s up to you to decide which toppings go on!

How to make easy homemade bagels

Ideas For Toppings

  • DIY Everything Seasoning
  • Sesame seeds
  • Poppy seeds
  • Sea salt flakes
  • Cinnamon sugar
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • …or just go plain!

It’s probably obvious, but I’m all about the everything bagel. Make the mix yourself with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried minced onion, dried minced garlic, and sea salt flakes.

It’s not all about the toppings though – you can’t forget about the schmear! I have dairy-free butter, vegan cream cheese, and peanut butter in my rotation. If I have enough time in the morning I’ll put together a breakfast bagel sandwich piled high with spinach and tofu scramble. Or, if I’m feeling particularly extra I’ll slice open an avocado and make an avocado toast of sorts.

Easy Homemade Bagels Recipe

Alright, now that I’ve taken you through the different ways to enjoy these homemade bagels – here’s how to make them! Start by activating the yeast, then using your stand mixer combine the ingredients and knead for a few minutes. Once your dough has formed, let it rise for about an hour. Once fully risen, the fun part begins! To shape into bagels, either roll into balls then poke a floured finger through or roll out into a rope and attach the ends. There are various other methods, so find the one that works for you!

Pro tip: As you bring your large pot of water to a boil, stir in about 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of sugar. This will give the bagels that “classic” texture and consistency.

Some argue that boiling bagels isn’t required but I really do notice a difference and it’s not that time-consuming. Once your bagels have boiled and puffed up a bit, it’s time for topping! I typically use melted dairy-free butter in place of an egg wash and it works just fine. Top to your hearts desire then pop those babies in the oven. Watch as they firm up and become a beautiful golden color. Once they’re done, make sure to let them cool completely on a rack then enjoy!

How to make homemade bagels
Learn how to make homemade bagels with just 5 ingredients. Chewy, flavorful, and delicious! 
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Homemade Bagels

Learn how to make homemade bagels with just 5 ingredients. Chewy, flavorful, and delicious! 
Servings 8 bagels

Ingredients

  • 2¼ teaspoons dry active yeast
  • 1½ teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 1¼ cups warm water divided
  • 3½ cups bread flour
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • Optional toppings: Poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, etc.

Instructions

  • Pour 1/2 cup warm water, sugar, and yeast into the bowl of your stand mixer. Let sit for 5 minutes. Add in flour, salt, and remaining warm water. Depending on humidity, you may not need to use all of the remaining 3/4 cup water.
  • Using the dough hook attachment on your stand mixer, knead the dough on low speed for about 10 minutes. The dough should be smooth and not stick to the bowl.
  • Cover the bowl with Saran Wrap or a kitchen towel and let rise for 1 hour. Once the dough has risen, punch down and let rise again for an additional 10 minutes.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil and preheat oven to 425° F. Meanwhile, divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a ball and shape into bagels.
  • Once the water is boiling, gently place 2-3 bagels into the pot. Boil for about 1 minute on each side. Remove and place on prepared baking sheet.
  • If topping, brush melted butter or egg wash substitute over bagels and sprinkle on the seasoning. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden. Remove from oven and place bagels on a cooling rack. Let cool completely before digging in!

Filed Under: Bread, Breakfast, Food and Drink, Vegan & Vegetarian Tagged With: bagels, baking, Bread, breakfast, brunch, cooking, homemade, recipe

Next Post: Zoodles with Italian Sausage and Onion »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Madison at The Weaver Fam

    September 5, 2018 at 9:00 pm

    I have never made homemade bagels but I’ve always wanted to! I’m gonna have to try this recipe!

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life

      September 6, 2018 at 9:01 am

      I hope you do 🙂 Enjoy!

      Reply
  2. Beth

    September 5, 2018 at 12:49 pm

    These look so good! Many years ago I had a great recipe for bagels, but I lost it. I’ll have to try this one.

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life

      September 5, 2018 at 3:02 pm

      I hope you try these out 🙂 Let me know what you think!

      Reply
  3. Cassie

    September 5, 2018 at 12:12 pm

    5 stars
    Your homemade bagels look great! I would love to try and make these gluten-free… I haven’t had a good bagel in years!

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life

      September 5, 2018 at 2:55 pm

      If you try making them gluten-free, let me know how they turn out 🙂

      Reply
  4. Jasmine Hewitt

    September 5, 2018 at 9:55 am

    you make it sound super easy. i’d love to give these a try

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life

      September 5, 2018 at 2:54 pm

      I hope you do 🙂

      Reply
  5. Leah

    September 4, 2018 at 7:58 pm

    Wow these look way better then the store bought ones! I love baking but food like bagels intimidate me.

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life

      September 5, 2018 at 2:54 pm

      Don’t let baking bagels scare you! It takes some practice but even the ugly ones are delicious, promise 🙂

      Reply
  6. Kimberly Parsons

    July 31, 2017 at 10:03 pm

    These look so delicious! Definitely like something out of a magazine!

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life

      August 1, 2017 at 9:46 am

      Thank you so much, I really appreciate that! 🙂

      Reply
  7. kikiinteriors

    July 31, 2017 at 7:18 am

    My family loves bagels … I never thought of making them at home before – thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life

      July 31, 2017 at 9:05 am

      You’re welcome 🙂 I love making homemade bagels!!

      Reply
  8. TeeShares

    July 31, 2017 at 3:07 am

    Wow, it seems easier than I thought so might give these a try. Thanks for sharing, I’m always on the look out for recipes.

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life

      July 31, 2017 at 9:05 am

      SO much easier, right!! You’re welcome 🙂 Enjoy!

      Reply
  9. WithTheHuddlestons

    July 30, 2017 at 2:28 pm

    Wow!! This is super easy!! Thanks for sharing!! I will definitely share this!!

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life

      July 30, 2017 at 3:36 pm

      Right!! You’re welcome 🙂

      Reply
  10. cookandenjoyrecipes

    February 5, 2017 at 6:11 pm

    WOW another fantastic one. Love to try this as well. FYI. You can submit up to 5 entries

    Reply
  11. Starr @ The Misfit Baker

    June 17, 2016 at 4:42 pm

    I love bagels too! Especially topped with sesame seeds and dried garlic… Your’s look wonderful!

    Reply
    • theurbenlife

      June 17, 2016 at 9:50 pm

      Thank you! Yes, sesame is my fave 🙂 I want to make some with dried garlic soon!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Homemade Bagels - Yum Goggle says:
    May 28, 2017 at 7:58 pm

    […] GET THE RECIPE […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar


Hey there, I’m Jenna Urben! Welcome to The Urben Life, where I share simple allergy-friendly recipes for everybody! Outside of the kitchen, I’ll help you navigate entertaining and traveling with food allergies & intolerances. Check back every Monday for new recipes. More→

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

E-Cookbook: Join the waitlist

Recent Posts

7 Star Wars Inspired Snacks

Easy Vegan Key Lime Pie (No Bake)

Vegan Taco Salad with Yogurt Salsa Dressing

Holiday Breakfast Board The Urben Life

The Ultimate Vegan Easter Guide

Family Favorites

Easy Homemade Spaghettios

Dairy-Free Swedish Meatballs

Crispy Tofu Stir Fry

Dairy-Free Meatball Subs

Footer

The Urben Life was established in 2016 by Jenna Urben. Jenna shares allergy-friendly recipes, travel guides, and more. Keep reading→

Let’s be friends

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Posts on The Urben Life may or may not include affiliate links. By clicking on certain hyperlinks and buying a product, you may help me earn a small commission. I only link to products I truly enjoy and recommend. Thank you for your support!

The Urben Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Visit Privacy Policy.

Copyright © 2021 The Urben Life