Homemade Bagels

  • Level: Intermediate
  • Yield: 12 bagels
  • Total: 1 hr 26 min
  • Prep: 10 min
  • Inactive: 1 min
  • Cook: 1 hr 15 min
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Ingredients

2 cups warm water, about 110 degrees F

2 (1/4-ounce) packets active dry yeast

3 tablespoons granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon

5 to 6 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal

Optional Toppings:

1/2 cup lightly toasted chopped onions (2 teaspoons each)

2 tablespoons poppy seeds (about 1/2 teaspoon each)

2 tablespoons sesame seeds (about 1/2 teaspoon each)

1 tablespoon kosher salt (about 1/4 teaspoon each)

Directions

  1. Combine the water, yeast, and 3 tablespoons of the sugar in the bowl of an upright mixer fitted with a dough hook. Stir and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Gradually add 4 cups of the flour and the salt, and mix until the mixture comes together.
  2. Add 1 to 1 1/2 cups additional flour 1/2 cup at a time to make a stiff dough, either stirring with the wooden spoon or working with your hands. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and no longer sticky, about 5 minutes, adding just as much flour as needed. (Dough should be heavier and stiffer than regular yeast bread dough.)
  3. Grease a large bowl with 1 teaspoon of the oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until almost doubled, about 1 hour.
  4. Grease a baking sheet with the remaining teaspoon of oil.
  5. Remove the dough from the bowl and punch it down. Divide into 12 equal pieces, about 2 to 3 ounces each, measuring about 4 inches across. Form each piece of dough into a ball. Roll each ball into a 4 to 6-inch log. Join the ends and place fingers through the hole and roll the ends together. Repeat with the remaining dough. Place on the prepared baking sheet, cover with a clean cloth, and let rest until risen but not doubled in a draft-free spot, 20 to 30 minutes.
  6. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  7. Sprinkle the cornmeal on another baking sheet.
  8. In a large, heavy pot, bring 12 cups of water and the remaining tablespoon of sugar to a boil. In batches, add the bagels to the water and boil, turning, for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Dip the bagel tops in desired toppings. Flip bagels onto the prepared sheet pan. Bake for 5 minutes, turn over and cook for another 30 to 35 minutes.
  9. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.

Let's Get Cooking!

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sue s.

I make these every few weeks. I use bread flour. I also put the rising bagels on a piece of oil sprayed wax paper before they go in the water. Also, I use parchment paper with spray oil and corn meal to bake on. Always makes 12 bagels. 30 minutes is perfect and well, I never flip them. <br />Using this method makes for no bagels to stick. Took me several goes before I got it completely down. <br />Love these!

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