This easy homemade New York-Style Bagel recipe is simply the best! Basic pantry ingredients transform into deliciously chewy freshly made New York bagels.
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This is simply the best homemade New York-Style Bagel Recipe. After so much love (this recipe has received over 11 years worth on here!), I had to share the recipe in Hand Made Baking, and I updated this page with various photos, tons of tips, tricks, and information you’ll need to achieve the most perfect chewy homemade bagels.
This easy bagel recipe is delicious and results in perfection. It does not need as much dedication as other bagel recipes you will find on the web– you do not need to dedicate 2 days to this. It’s a same-day homemade bagel recipe that comes together in 2 hours.
As a native New Yorker, I know there’s nothing better than a fresh bagel schmeared with cream cheese. I have a high standard when it comes to bagels and I don’t put unusual ingredients in mine.
In these bagels, you will not find any yogurt, maple-syrup, or ingredients you might not have in your pantry.
I no longer live in New York City, and I constantly crave the good old-fashioned bagels I grew up on– flavorful, modestly sweet, and chewy with soft, shiny crusts. These bagels are made the classic way: you boil them in water for a couple of minutes before you bake them. This is probably one of the most bizarre things a person can do to dough, but it just works.
This bagel recipe is a very altered adaptation of one from a cookbook, Ultimate Bread, that I borrowed over a decade ago from my aunt. It was my first introduction to homemade bagels. Over the years, this has become the best bagel recipe that I’ve ever made.
It doesn’t require unusual ingredients or require special equipment to make the recipe. These homemade chewy bagels are a treat fresh out of the oven, but when they’re toasted– oh, my! Can we just say that you’ll be making this bagel recipe time and time again?
After making this New York-Style bagel recipe on your own, you will feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. I know I always do! This will definitely give some competition to your local bagel shop- the recipe is that good (I mean, look at the comments!).
This homemade bagel recipe is so good that you’ll be impressed with yourself and totally satisfied after you take a nice bite out of one of these freshly made chewy bagels. So, if you mail order bagels from your favorite spot in New York City and pay $7.50 a bagel, save your money!
And if good bagels cannot be found where you live, worry no more; this recipe is infinitely adaptable, and the little bit of effort you put into making these bagels is well worth it. It’s time to get baking!
Homemade Bagel Recipe Ingredients
This homemade bagel recipe consists of four major parts– making and preparing the bagel dough, shaping and boiling the bagels, the bagel topping, and the things you’ll need to serve them with. Here’s what you’ll need:
The Bagel Dough: The Bagel Recipe Ingredients
- Granulated Sugar: This is used to slightly sweeten the bagel dough and to activate the yeast.
Feel free to use natural cane sugar here if you have it. - Active dry yeast: Yeast is used to help the bagel dough form and rise.
- Luke warm water: This needs to be between around 105ºF/ 40.5ºC and 115ºF / 46ºC; this will also help the yeast activate and bind the flour and other ingredients into a smooth, elastic bagel dough. On the rare occasion, you may need more water than listed in the recipe. The water called for in the recipe is a guide– your ultimate goal is to form a smooth bagel dough that is moist and firm.
- Bread flour: Bread flour contains a high protein content, perfect for making homemade bagels that are chewy. All-purpose flour works here too, they will be just as delicious– just not as chewy as ones made with bread flour (Read: New York-Style Bagel Recipe FAQ located below the recipe in this post for more information about flour alternatives for these homemade bagels).
- Fine-Grain Sea Salt: Salt adds the right amount of flavor to the bagels.
Shaping and Boiling the Bagels
There are many methods in which you can shape a bagel; there is a more traditional method that many bagel shops use– you roll the bagel dough into logs and bind the ends together.
The method used here is done by simply poking the hole in the middle of taught rounds of bagel dough. Once that is done, the bagel rings are gently stretched to about a third of the diameter of the bagel.
After a short rest, each bagel is boiled. This gives the bagels their New York-Style signature delicious, chewy, and shiny crust.
Read more: New York-Style Bagel Recipe FAQ located below the recipe section in this post.
While you can opt to flavor your poaching liquid (there’s more information about this in the FAQ section), I keep it simple here and just use water and these come out perfect every time.
The Bagel Toppings
Favorite bagel toppings vary from person to person. Depending on the day, I like a good homemade everything bagel or a poppyseed bagel. I know many people who are partial to single toppings like minced onion or coarse salt. Whatever you like, definitely customize the toppings to match your tastes.
Everything bagel seasoning, minced fresh garlic, minced fresh onion or shallot, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, caraway seeds, coarse salt, cinnamon sugar- these are just some of the many topping options you can go with to customize the taste of your bagels.
What to Serve the Bagels With
A proper New York-Style bagel always requires a schmear. What is a “schmear” you ask? It’s a generous slather of cream cheese. It’s practically a requirement, especially when these homemade bagels come out of the oven. However, there are multiple ways you can serve them– all of which I have listed within this post.
How to Make Homemade New York-Style Bagels
First, proof the yeast. Proofing basically means you’re activating the yeast. To do this, you will need to add sugar and yeast into luke warm water. After about 5 minutes, the yeast will bubble up; this indicates that the mixture is ready to stir until everything is properly dissolved.
Then, mix the bagel dough together. You can you can opt to make the bagel dough by hand (which I highly recommend if you’re making this recipe for the firs time), or you can do so with a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment, on the lowest setting (for about 5 to 6 minutes). If you’re making a double batch you might not be able to use your stand mixer for kneading– refer to your manufacturer’s instructions.
When mixing the bagel dough, you may or may not need the entirety of the water called for in the recipe. You want the bagel dough to be moist and firm after it is mixed. Sometimes you may need more water, depending on humidity, brand of flour, your altitude, climate, amongst many other things.
Once the dough has come together and has been kneaded, place the bagel dough in an oiled bowl to rest for an hour (about 2 hours if you’re using less yeast) or covered overnight in the refrigerator.
Once the bagel dough has rested, you will need to deflate it. You will know it has rested enough when you poke the dough with your finger and the impression remains. If it bounces back, the bagel dough has not risen enough.
If you allowed the bagel dough to rest in the refrigerator, allow it to sit at room temperature for about 1/2 hour before working with it.
Once deflated, divide the dough. It should be divided into 8 equal portions. Feel free to use a scale or eyeball it. You do not have to be exacting about this; just make sure they’re roughly even so that all the bagels bake at the same time.
After that, form the bagel dough portions into rounds. Don’t use flour for this step. This is going to sound more complicated than it is, but hold your hand in a C shape while cupping a portion of dough.
Press the dough against the work surface (remember to avoid flouring it) and move your hand and the dough in a slow, circular motion. Allow the irregular edge of the dough to pull onto itself, while decreasing the pressure on top of the dough slightly until a perfectly smooth round ball forms.
Repeat this with the other portions. Have your eyes crossed? This probably does sound difficult at first, but essentially all you’re doing is making the dough round taut by pulling its sides in and keeping it round.
Now, here comes the part when we shape the bagel dough! Working gently and firmly with the dough will result in perfectly smooth bagels.
Simply coat a finger with flour and gently press your finger into the center of each dough ball. Then you stretch the rings out to about a third of the diameter of the bagel and place them onto a prepared baking sheet.
It’s time to boil the bagels. The bagels need a little rest in between shaping and boiling. So, while the unbaked bagels rest, bring a large pot of water to a bubbling boil.
Once it has reached a boil, lower the heat to a simmer. You’ll need a slotted spoon or a skimmer to place the bagels into the water. Some folks like to use small squares of parchment that they cut up before hand. Do what is most comfortable for you.
Handling the uncooked dough with the utmost care will preserve their shape as well.
Boil the bagels and don’t overcrowd the water. Boil as many bagels as you can comfortably fit into the pot. They will puff up quite a bit, so do keep in mind they do need some breathing room.
Once in the water, the bagels will float on the top. Let them sit for 1 minute, then gently flip them over to boil for another minute on the other side.
This will give them a nice crust and their signature New York-Style chew. You can go a little bit longer on the poach, as well. This will give them a stronger crust and chew– more on that in the recipe.
After boiling them, top the bagels! This is the time when you can let your creativity run free. You can use any or all of the topping options listed in the recipe.
Often times I do a combination of toppings to make a delicious homemade everything bagel. Sometimes I just keep it plain or stick to one ingredient on each bagel. Be creative!
Once the bagels have been topped, bake them. Depending if your oven is calibrated or not (I like to keep an oven thermometer in mine to ensure it’s always accurate), you will need to bake the bagels between 20-25 minutes. Until they’re uniformly golden brown.
Now, here is the difficult part (not really). You’re supposed to let these cool for at least a few minutes once they’re out of the oven, until you can handle them. If you’re impatient like me, I brave through it, slice one open and schmear some cream cheese on mine right away.
Take a bite… Oooh, child!
Homemade New York-Style Bagel Serving Suggestions
There is no right or wrong way to eat a bagel. However, I’ve listed a few ideas and classic options you would enjoy. A schmear is a classic.
A bagel with lox is also another classic. If you’re looking for a good breakfast idea, go the New York City deli route and make yourself an Egg and Cheese Bagel. Bacon is preferred, but optional.
• Bagel with cream cheese– either plain, or your choice of flavored cream cheese. A schmear is a New York classic, and it’s so good.
• Bagel with butter– especially with homemade butter or a delicious French butter. Heavenly.
• Bagel with butter and jam– more specifically homemade butter and homemade strawberry jam– a match made in heaven. Highly recommended!
• Bagel with lox– add a schmear of cream cheese, lox on top, a slice of fresh tomato, red onion, thinly sliced cucumbers, and some deliciously briney capers. Perfection.
• Bagel with Avocado– a nice, healthy option. Toast the bagel, smash a ripe avocado on top, season to your liking, and serve it. Bacon is perfect on top, if you’re into that. Leftover guacamole is also delicious.
• Bagel with Egg and Cheese– this is New York City deli / bodega-style, peeps. Toast the bagel. Butter it lightly. Make an egg and cheese omelet to your liking. Or fry an egg up, over easy, season it with salt and pepper, top it with cheese and bacon. Add ketchup, if you’re into it. If not, add aioli, hot sauce, sriracha, sambal olek, or a combination thereof if you’d prefer that. Cut it in half. You’ll thank me later.
More Everyday Baking Recipes
- New York-Style Soft Pretzels
- Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels
- Perfect Chocolate Cupcakes
- The Best Raspberry and Cream Scones
- Incredible Profiteroles
- Strawberry Pavlova
New York-Style Bagel Recipe
As a native New Yorker, I know there's nothing better than a fresh bagel schmeared with cream cheese. I no longer live in New York City, and I constantly crave the good old-fashioned bagels I grew up on– flavorful, modestly sweet, chewy ones with soft, shiny crusts.
These bagels are made the classic way: You boil them in water for a couple of minutes before you bake them. This is probably one of the most bizarre things a person can do to the dough, but it works. So, if good bagels cannot be found where you live, worry no more; this recipe is infinitely adaptable, and the little bit of effort you put into making these bagels is well worth it.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons / 6 g active dry yeast
- 4 ½ teaspoons / 19 g granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cups / 300 ml warm water (you may need ± ¼ cup /60 ml more)
- 3 ½ cups / 440 g bread flour or high gluten flour (you may need up to 1/2 cup / 60g for kneading)
- 1 ½ teaspoons / 6 g salt
- Optional Toppings: (Refer to Notes)
Instructions
- In ½ cup /120ml of the warm water, pour in the sugar and yeast. Do not stir. Let it sit for five minutes, and then stir the yeast and sugar mixture until it all dissolves in the water.
- Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the middle and pour in the yeast and sugar mixture.
- Pour 1/3 cup / 80ml of warm water into the well. Mix and stir in the rest of the water (the scant 1/2 cup / 100ml that is remaining), as needed. Depending on where you live, you may need to add an additional couple tablespoons to about ¼ cup/60ml of water. You want a moist and firm dough after you have mixed it.
- On a floured countertop, knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Try working in as much flour as possible to form a firm and stiff dough.
- Lightly brush a large bowl with oil and turn the dough to coat. Cover the bowl with a damp dish towel. Let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until the dough has doubled in size. Punch the dough down, and let it rest for another 10 minutes.
- Carefully divide the dough into 8 pieces (I used a scale to be extra precise, but it’s not necessary). Shape each piece into a round. Now, take a dough ball, and press it gently against the countertop (or whatever work surface you’re using) moving your hand and the ball in a circular motion pulling the dough into itself while reducing the pressure on top of the dough slightly until a perfect dough ball forms (as pictured). Repeat with 7 other dough rounds.
- Coat a finger in flour, and gently press your finger into the center of each dough ball to form a ring. Stretch the ring to about ⅓ the diameter of the bagel and place on a lightly oiled cookie sheet. Repeat the same step with the remaining dough.
- After shaping the bagels and placing them on the cookie sheet, cover with a damp kitchen towel and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 425ºF / 220ºC / Gas Mark 7.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Reduce the heat. Use a slotted spoon or skimmer to lower the bagels into the water. Boil as many as you are comfortable with boiling. Once the bagels are in, it shouldn’t take too long for them to float to the top (a couple seconds). Let them sit there for 1 minute, and then flip them over to boil for another minute. Extend the boiling times to 2 minutes each, if you’d prefer a chewier bagel (results will give you a more New York-Style bagel with this option).
- If you want to add toppings to your bagels, do so as you take them out of the water. Alternatively, you can use an egg wash to get the toppings to stick before baking the bagels. You may want to use the “Optional Toppings” listed above to top the bagels. Use just one topping, or a combination to make your own Everything Bagel Seasoning.
- Once all the bagels have boiled (and have been topped with your choice of toppings), transfer them to an oiled or parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 - 25 minutes, or until golden brown (I usually err on the side of 20 minutes).
- Cool on a wire rack (Or, if you’re impatient like I am, slice one of these babies open and spread on some of your favorite cream cheese or softened butter. Take a bite… Oh babyyy!)
Notes
Optional Toppings:
Caraway seeds, cinnamon sugar, coarse salt, minced fresh garlic, minced fresh onion, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, everything bagel seasoning, or a mix of your favorite flavors.
Water measurement & similar concerns:
The recipe measurements for the water in the recipe is a guide; not all 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) will be used unless you need it. This is because of environmental factors (humidity, temperature, altitude, etc.) and the flour you are using. The most important thing when making the dough is to make sure it is homogenous and smooth– do not get caught up on the water measurement. If the dough is too firm, add in more water to ensure the dough is not dry and flaky– this has to be done when mixing the dough, not after you’ve allowed it to rise.
For all other concerns, please review past comments and refer to the FAQ below the recipe card for this recipe.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8 Medium-Sized BagelsServing Size:
1 BagelAmount Per Serving: Calories: 228.4Trans Fat: 1.4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 441mgCarbohydrates: 44.4gFiber: 1.7gSugar: 2.4gProtein: 6g
New York-Style Bagel Recipe: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The following is a comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions I receive about this New York-Style Bagel Recipe. You will find answers to your questions about Yeast, types of flour you can use, and everything you may need to keep in mind when it comes to preparing this homemade bagel recipe and storing the bagels properly.
The Yeast
Can I use fresh yeast?
If you are unable to get active dry or instant yeast, you can use fresh yeast. The general rule of thumb is a ratio of 2.5:1, fresh to active dry. The amount of active dry yeast used in the recipe is only 6 grams, you would need about 15 grams of fresh yeast.
When substituting fresh yeast, you may want to make a few adjustments to the method. Fresh yeast does not need to be proofed like active dry yeast. The water, sugar, and yeast step will be unnecessary in this case, so do keep that in mind. But, as some have told me, they’ve simply substituted fresh yeast for the active dry yeast and followed the steps as directed without any issues.
Can I use instant yeast for this bagels recipe?
You can. Substitute an equal amount. There’s no need to proof the yeast, so add the yeast to the flour with the sugar and jump straight to making the dough.
I prefer less of a yeasty bread-like flavor, how can I achieve that?
You can reduce the amount of active dry yeast to 1 teaspoon in the recipe. Do note: you will have to double the rising time to about 2 hours, instead.
Types of Flour
What if I can’t find bread flour? Can I substitute regular (all-purpose) flour?
If you don’t have access to bread flour, it is okay to use all-purpose flour; they will still come out wonderfully. Alternatively, if you can find vital wheat gluten (it’s usually carried at health food stores), add 4 teaspoons to the all-purpose flour, and you should have a good substitute for the bread flour called for in the recipe.
• Can I make bagels with whole-wheat flour?
Yes, simply use half whole-wheat flour and half bread flour. If you like a milder tasting bagel, you can use white whole-wheat flour.
• Can I use spelt flour for bagels?
Yes. Use 2 cups / 255 g whole-wheat flour and 2 1/2 cups / 315 g sifted spelt four. Alternatively, readers have told me that they’ve made the bagels entirely out of spelt flour with great success.
Preparation
How hot should the water be to proof the yeast?
The water should ideally be between 105F / 40.5C – 115F / 46C.
Can I prepare the bagel dough in my bread maker or KitchenAid / stand mixer?
You can absolutely use either. For a stand mixer: use the hook attachment, and knead the dough on the lowest setting. Do this for 5 to 6 minutes until smooth and springy. If you’re making a double batch, you might not be able to use your stand mixer for kneading. Please refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
My bagels aren’t smooth. What did I do wrong?
There’s two factors that come into play here: the way the dough is handled and the water the dough is boiled in. Being gentle is crucial to the formation of smooth looking bagels. The less you handle it, the smoother it will be. If you squeeze the dough roughly, it’ll turn out wrinkly. Like many folks, I bake these bagels a lot, and some batches come out smooth and gorgeous, and on bad days some come out wrinkly. It’s all about how you handle the dough, but in the end- it always tastes amazing!
When it comes to boiling, make sure the water is not at a rolling boil. This will also prevent them from looking rough.
How can I achieve an even shinier, sweeter bagel? Can I use barley malt or honey?
Yes! This will achieve a slightly sweeter and shinier product. Use about 1 teaspoon of barley malt in the dough and a generous tablespoon in the pot of boiling water. Because barley malt is not easy to find, I have not made it a required ingredient for the recipe. However, it does add a delicious taste. Alternatively, you can use a couple tablespoons of brown sugar and/ or honey in the boiling water to achieve a similar effect.
Do the bagels need an eggwash before they go into the oven?
No, an egg wash is not necessary, though it does give a beautiful sheen to the bagels. The bagels will be just as beautiful and delicious if you forego the egg wash. This is especially a great option for vegans.
Once boiled, add toppings to the wet, unbaked bagels immediately so that the toppings stick.
My bagels stuck to my pan. What can I do to prevent this in the future?
The original recipe calls for simply using an oiled pan (I’ve edited it). Like many folks, I am paranoid about things sticking to pans, so I use parchment paper or a silpat baking mat (as shown in this post). Feel free to do the same. I do oil the parchment just a bit to add a little bit of extra non-stick protection, but it’s not necessary.
I live at high elevation, what can I do to ensure these come out properly?
I’ve been told by bakers who live at a higher elevation that this recipe works well as is. However, I know that high-altitude baking, especially with yeast, can be a headache as dough tends to rise about 25 to 50 percent quicker than at lower altitudes, so do keep that in mind.
A sure-fire way to ensure that the finished product is not very dense would be to reduce the amount of yeast to 1 teaspoon and allow the dough to rise for the recommended time in the recipe. If the dough has doubled in size after 1-hour, it’s good to start working with. If not, continue to let it rise, checking on it every 15 minutes until doubled in size. Your altitude, brand of flour, humidity, and room temperature are factors that would make the rising times vary.
Can I make the bagels bigger?
You can, just keep in mind that they will need longer to bake. Check on them every few minutes past the 20 minute mark until they are uniformly golden brown.
Make Ahead and Storage
How can I make the dough ahead of time? Can I refrigerate the dough over night?
The best means of making the dough ahead of time would be to prepare it, cover its container with plastic wrap, and rest it over night in the refrigerator. This is called a cold-rise. I often do this and I love this method because it allows the dough to achieve a more complex flavor. If you are doing a cold rise, be sure to allow the dough about 1/2 hour to come to room temperature before working with it.
Can I par-bake the bagels for later baking?
Yes, you can bake them until they are a faint gold tinge (about 10-15 minutes). Cool the par-baked bagels completely before storing them in a resealable bag to be stored in the freezer. To be bake from frozen, bake the bagels for an additional 10-15 minutes, until soft and golden brown.
Can I freeze the bagels? Do they keep well?
Once cool, out of the oven, you can freeze the bagels without any issues. Slice them and then freeze them in a freezer-safe plastic bag, and let them thaw when needed. If you’re planning on toasting them, thawing them is unnecessary.
How long do the bagels stay fresh for?
The bagels will keep in a resealable plastic bag at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Updated May 14th, 2020 – As one of the most popular recipes here and in my book, I’ve received many questions about this bagel recipe. For your convenience, I’ve updated the post with photos, more information, and answers to your Frequently Asked Questions.
Have another question? Leave a comment below!
1,496 Comments
Jules
August 5, 2023 at 10:14 pmOh my gosh! I moved to the Midwest a year ago and have been painfully missing a proper NY bagel. I made these and in one bite I was back home!
Tricia
August 10, 2023 at 3:40 pmI made cinnamon raisin bagels today using this recipe, and I am a novice baker. In March, I moved to the South from NY after living there 22 years and miss those bagels. The recipe was so easy to follow. The video and FAQ’s were a plus. I used 1 and 1/2 cups of bread flour because mine is whole wheat and 3 cups of all purpose flour. I also added 1/2 cup raisins and 3 teaspoons cinnamon. The bagels were so soft and delicious. Thank you for sharing.
Ana
August 12, 2023 at 10:04 amIve made this recepie several time already and they are perfect every time! Best bagel recepie ive found! My kids love them too fresh out of the oven. Ive made cheddar, cheddar/Jalapeño, everything, sesame, onion, and cinnamon/brown sugar. This recepie is so versetile I love it. Thank you for sharing it with us!
Mary
August 15, 2023 at 11:42 pmI will never buy store bought bagels again. This recipe is easy and the results are just beautiful. We are in love with the salt ones. I will continue to use this recipe over amd over again. I can’t wait to stir up another batch.
Jean
August 31, 2023 at 8:20 pmI love Bagels and have been trying to make them for years without much success. I tried yours this morning and it turned out so beautifully. Thank you for the detailed instructions and tips and for being so kind to share the recipe. ❤️ from Australia
Nefeli
September 3, 2023 at 4:33 pmHi! Can you make these with instant yeast? If yes what would change in the execution?
Ada
September 15, 2023 at 12:40 pmI love this recipe so much! I just got my hands on some Diastatic malt powder and want to incorporate it into this recipe. Can someone guide me on how I should do this? I’m thinking I would probably need to reduce the amount of sugar and probably use 1 tsp of yeast instead of 2? Thanks!
Ricci
February 20, 2024 at 9:10 amI’ve been making mine with 1 teaspoon barly malt powder, 3/4 tsp diastatic malt powder ( I read somewhere that you needed to reduce the diastatic powder amount to .75-.8 that of sugar or syrup), and 2 teaspoons honey! And they turn out great!
Brian
September 27, 2023 at 2:19 pmDese bagels are just like dose I had in the Bronx years ago. Buy bready, flavorless bagels in the supermarket ever again? Fuggedabouit!
Ruijs
October 13, 2023 at 6:26 amMade these this morning before work and they turned out great! Goofed a bit with the temps but managed to save them. Thanks for the recipe!
Russell
October 15, 2023 at 11:01 amExcellent bagel recipe, better than the bagel store. I did make one
tweak,added barley malt syrup to water bath.
Andrea
October 16, 2023 at 12:54 pmI love this recipe! I have made this 4 times now but I haven’t been able to achieve 8 large bagels from this recipe – they are mini bagels. How large are the bagels supposed to be in diameter? I doubled the recipe and I was able to get 10 normal sized bagels instead of the expected 16. Should I allow the dough to rise more? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Amanda
October 21, 2023 at 12:33 pmAll my nine year old has to say is wow. These turned out so amazingly fluffy and delicious. So happy I found this recipe. Will be a staple going forward.
Sal
November 1, 2023 at 9:13 amCan you shape the bagel and let the shaped bagels rise in the fridge overnight already in bagel form? If so, at what point in the recipe would you shape them and put them in the fridge? Also, can they rise in the fridge for more than 24 hours? Thank you!
Jake
April 28, 2024 at 4:46 pmAfter I shape them I plan on leaving them to rise in the fridge overnight. I’m going to do this after step 7. Before I boil them, I’m going to let them stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
Olivia
November 1, 2023 at 12:49 pmCan these bagels be shaped and then refrigerated overnight to be boiled and baked in the morning?
Ricci
February 20, 2024 at 9:13 amThat is what I do. I refrigerate the formed bagels in the refrigerator overnight, so that all I have to do is boil and bake the next day. I do take out the bagels from the refrigerator and let them sit for 1/2 hour at room temperature before boiling. Hmmmm… I’m going to have to try what happens if I skip that step before boiling….
Bea
November 2, 2023 at 5:41 pmbest recipe ever! My bagels turned out amazing!
Pete
November 4, 2023 at 10:59 amI have never had a true New York bagel but this recipe is fantastic. I could never buy store processed again. I have been making this recipe for two years and have never had any issue with the recipe. It is also very adaptable to any taste. Multigrain.plain,onion etc they have all come out great.
Christine
November 5, 2023 at 10:17 amIf I double a batch do I double the yeast?
Hannah
May 2, 2024 at 2:32 pmYes, you need the extra yeast to balance the other ingredients :)
Carrie
November 8, 2023 at 8:28 amGreat recipe! This was my first attempt at making bagels and they turned out awesome! I followed the recipe exactly. I had to add a little more water like the recipe suggested depending on where you live.
I kneaded by hand (first time doing so). And to my surprise , they turned out perfect! Will definitely make this again. Thanks for the recipe!
Jacque
December 11, 2023 at 5:01 pmBagels turned out great, first time here! Enjoyed weighing them to .126oz for 8 that were equally sized. Topped some with everything bagel and cinnamon sugar, delish! Questions for future baking… how do I fix a barely raw strand that I had of one bagel? Will definitely make these again & again! Thanks for the recipe!
lukewood
December 20, 2023 at 2:47 pmhow do you get the damp towel? do you cover it with water then drain out the water? also how warm should the damp towel be?
M
December 23, 2023 at 2:58 pmMy divided Dough balls won’t come together? My dough looked correct before I divided. What did I do wrong??
Sara Waller
December 28, 2023 at 5:31 pmMy sister and I found your bagel recipe this week and wanted to give it a try. They are so delicious that we have pledge to never eat store bought bagels again.
Ori
January 6, 2024 at 12:00 pmFinallyyyy made a good bagel!!
I couldn’t find active dry yeast so I halved the recipe and made 4 with instant yeast and 4 with fresh yeast to see which would work better. Both are good, instant made them a little denser and with the fresh they poofed up more during boiling.
When I was making the dough balls they were a little too dry to roll well, so I wet the counter just a little bit which helped a lot.
Georgiana
January 7, 2024 at 3:50 pmI followed the recipe exactly, very clear directions, they baked up perfectly beautiful. They came out nice and chewy following the two minute per side boil time however, they don’t have that tap, tap, tap exterior crisp that I have love and expect from a NY style bagel. Help?!?!?
Alyssa
January 9, 2024 at 11:37 amI made these yesterday. All I can say is WHOA to this recipe!
It was one of the best breads I have ever made and I appreciate the recipe! My husband loved them!
I wish I tried this before I bought 2 bags of bagels for my kids the same day.
I would love to know recommendations for blueberry and especially JALAPENO CHEDDAR!
Michael
January 9, 2024 at 4:29 pmAny idea why my bagels did not float while being boiled?
Becky
January 12, 2024 at 10:10 amI always buy bagels at the store but thought I would try to make bagels. I bake cinnamon rolls which great reviews, so thought I would try bagels. My question is what temperature do you bake them?
Lisa
January 20, 2024 at 5:45 pmThis was a great recipe! Thanks for putting this together. I was so pleasantly surprised by how great these bagels were! I wish I could also post a photo
Melissa
January 20, 2024 at 6:03 pmThank you for sharing this recipe, it is amazing. I’ve been making these bagels at least once a month for a few years now and just realized I never left a comment before. I usually make them plain, but have also done garlic & onion, cinnamon raisin & poppyseed. I like to freeze them whole & reheat them in the oven at 400F for 4 minutes and they taste just as good as fresh! I love sharing them with friends & family! :)
Katelyn
January 24, 2024 at 8:01 amYup, this bagel recipe is IT. This made the most perfect bagels. Instructions were clear and really well thought out! This is going into my family recipe book!
Kris
February 22, 2024 at 4:08 pmLiterally the best bagels I’ve ever made! I added brown sugar to the water like you suggested. Boiled 2 mins per side. Really chewy and soft. Fantastic!! I’m trying to improve my baking skills a bit cause I just found out I’m pregnant. I refuse to have my kids grow up on crap bagels.
P
March 7, 2024 at 7:16 pmThese are my new FAVORITE! I’ve been making them weekly ever since I found the recipe! They turn out amazing every single time. I use my clean hands and a wooden spoon to mix (not a stand mixer) and they’re beautiful! 10000/10 recommend!!
Michelle
March 20, 2024 at 12:56 pmWow! I’m a novice, but very eager bread baker. I have made loaves of bread, and wanted to try making bagels, because my family loves them, and I’d rather make them at home, than buy from the store, because homemade is always better, for various reasons. This recipe did not disappoint. My grown son could hardly wait for them to get out of the oven, and said they were delicious. I made some Everything seasoned, some Cinnamon/Sugar, and left two plain. I will never buy bagels from the store again. The recipe was so easy to follow, and the results were so delicious. Now moving on to pretzels and Pita bread to try next.
Debra Gonzalez
March 24, 2024 at 7:25 pmHello, was wondering why my bagels come out flat? Can you give me a tip please?
Sindy
April 2, 2024 at 8:46 pmHello, is it possible to add jalapeños and cheddar cheese to the dough?
Thank you.
Sindy
Kamran Siddiqi
April 9, 2024 at 12:27 amSindy, Absolutely!
Jen
July 11, 2024 at 10:49 amI want to know too!!! We are one of those rare white families that appreciate flavor! Heat please?! How do we perfect this bagel with jalapeños and cheddar?!
Mikela DB from NZ
April 19, 2024 at 5:12 amFirst time visitor to the site as I was looking for an easy but reliable bagel recipe after having some great bodega bagels in NYC and the some great ones from Call Your Mother in Washington DC and now back in NZ – this recipe is a BANGER! Made the recipe exactly, and topped with the egg wash and did half Everything Seasoning and half sesame. Just shared half out of the oven as suggested ;) with a CC schmear and then toasted the other half and we are both obsessed. Great chewy texture, perfect golden outside, the Everything Seasoning really makes it for us. We’re going to make the ‘Yodi’ bagel which is famous in NZ from the Best Ugly Bagels team (which are more Montreal style bagels) with habanero mustard, pastrami, cheese and topped with sliced gerkins and a touch of sea salt. Can’t wait. Fantastic recipe, thank you for sharing!
Nancy
May 23, 2024 at 4:33 pmI once tried a brand of bagels from the store it said everything bagels on the bag they were amazing to my surprise the everything was in the dough there were sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds in the dough and everything seasoning on top. I am going to try this with your recipe. Is there anything I should know beforehand?
Margaret
May 25, 2024 at 12:54 pmI would like to make pumpernickel bagels, can I use rye flour instead of bread flour? if so, how much rye and bread flour to use?
Sue
June 3, 2024 at 8:12 pmI made these with my 10 year old grandson and we were both impressed by how good they turned out. Definitely will make again.
Brian
June 8, 2024 at 10:00 amCould you please elaborate on the flour requirements for a stand mixer? I’m confused on your conversion of 3.5 cups=440g of bread flour. Sincerely appreciated
sara
July 23, 2024 at 5:31 pmthis recipe is awesome. and easy to follow. i love that the author encourages hand kneading, the first time. i use the kitchen aid hook now, but originally getting to know the dough, made all the difference.
JaniceJ
August 18, 2024 at 6:14 pmI have tried several bagel recipes, and this is, by far, the best!!! A month or so ago, I tried a recipe for cheddar & Jalapeño bagels. While the flavour was good, the texture wasn’t anywhere near as good as your recipe. Could I add 1/3 cup each of shredded sharp cheddar and finely diced Jalapeño to your recipe without compromising its wonderful texture?
Virginia
August 21, 2024 at 11:20 amHi there! How would one make the dough in a bread maker? I see that in your FAQs you said we could but this’ll be my first time both making bagels and using the maker!
Kamran Siddiqi
August 23, 2024 at 2:54 pmHi Virginia, you’ll have to select the “dough only” setting on the bread machine– all bread machines are different, so be sure to select an equivalent setting. The machine will mix the ingredients, knead the dough, and allow it to rise. When the machine alerts you (some will beep), after about an hour, the dough is ready to work with… Punch the dough down and then let it rise for 10 minutes, as per Step 5 in the recipe.
Melanie
September 4, 2024 at 8:52 amExcellent recipe, and 2 hours door to door before I was tucking into a delicious homemade bagel for breakfast. I grew up on NJ/NY bagels and am in neither of those places anymore and with bagel prices being kind of outrageous in DC I decided to take a hand to making my own. I used AP flour and kneaded for 15 minutes (kneading is what activates gluten proteins and elasticity) and boiled them for what was probably 3 minutes and the texture is perfect. I WOULD recommend, however, doing the egg glaze to get those toppings to stick thoroughly! Thank you for this gift!!