Description
This Homemade Everything Bagels recipe guides you through making classic, chewy, chewy bagels topped with a savory blend of poppy seeds, sesame seeds, caraway seeds, minced dried onion, and coarse salt. The dough is made from simple ingredients including bread flour, yeast, and sugar, boiled briefly to create a chewy crust, then baked to golden perfection. Perfect for breakfast or a snack, these bagels bring the authentic New York bagel experience right into your kitchen.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 3 cups bread flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
Boiling and Topping Ingredients
- 3 quarts boiling water
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon caraway seeds
- 1 tablespoon minced dried onion
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Place warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast in the bowl of a mixer. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make Dough: Combine the bread flour and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add this mixture to the yeast mixture while mixing. Using a dough hook or by hand, knead for approximately 2 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Cover the dough and let it rest in a warm place for about 30 minutes to allow it to rise.
- Shape Bagels: Divide the dough into 10 equal pieces for smaller bagels or 6 pieces for larger ones. Shape each piece into a ball, flatten slightly, and poke a hole through the center with your thumb. Twirl the dough on your finger to enlarge the hole and even out the dough. Cover with a clean cloth and let rest for at least 1 hour for the second rise.
- Prepare Boiling Water: While the dough rests, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil. Add 3 tablespoons of white sugar to the boiling water to help develop a shiny crust on the bagels.
- Preheat Oven and Prep Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Sprinkle an ungreased baking sheet with cornmeal to prevent sticking.
- Boil Bagels: Carefully transfer the bagels into the boiling water. Boil each bagel for 1 minute, turning halfway through to ensure even cooking. After boiling, drain the bagels briefly on a clean towel.
- Add Toppings: Arrange the boiled bagels on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with egg white to enhance browning and adhesion of toppings. Combine poppy seeds, sesame seeds, caraway seeds, minced dried onion, and coarse salt, then sprinkle this mixture generously on the bagels.
- Bake: Bake the bagels in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the bagels from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your fresh, homemade everything bagels!
Notes
- Use bread flour for the best chewy texture associated with traditional bagels.
- Make sure the water for dissolving yeast is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
- Boiling the bagels briefly before baking is essential for that authentic chewy crust.
- Feel free to customize the seed mix to your preference or use just one type of seed.
- For a glossy finish, brushing with egg white is recommended, but you can skip this step for a more natural crust.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and toast before eating for best texture.
