🔥 KITCHEN FINDS
3 Clever Kitchen Gadgets Worth Checking Out
These handy little gadgets make cooking easier — and they're actually pretty cool.
This Kitchen Gadget Sprays AND Pours Oil
One bottle for spraying, pouring and keeping cooking oil close at hand.
Check It Out on Amazon →
This Weird Little Tool Slices Watermelon for You
Slice, cube and grab watermelon with one ridiculously simple little gadget.
Check It Out on Amazon →
Mix & Pour Pancake Batter Without the Mess
Mix the batter right in the bottle, then squeeze it straight onto the griddle.
Check It Out on Amazon →
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Homemade bagels are a delightful treat that can transform your breakfast or brunch into something truly special. With a shiny, golden crust and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, these bagels are not only visually appealing but also incredibly satisfying. Making them at home allows you to customize their flavor and texture to your liking, ensuring a fresh and delicious experience every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These homemade bagels are easy to make and perfect for any occasion. The process is straightforward, and the results are incredibly rewarding. Enjoy the warm, chewy goodness of freshly baked bagels right from your kitchen.
- Simple ingredients that are easy to find.
- Customizable toppings for any taste.
- Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or snacks.
- Fun activity to do with family or friends.
- Fresh and delicious—no preservatives!
Ingredients
- 4 cups bread flour
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ¼ cup sesame seeds (for topping)
- 1 tablespoon baking soda (for boiling)
- 1 egg (optional, for egg wash)
How to Make Homemade Bagels with Sesame Seeds
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, instant yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Add the bread flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough begins to form.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball, then poke a hole in the center with your finger to form a bagel shape.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the baking soda to the boiling water.
- Carefully drop the bagels into the boiling water, 2-3 at a time, and boil for about 1 minute on each side. Remove with a slotted spoon and let drain on a wire rack.
- Place the boiled bagels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If using, brush the tops with beaten egg for a shiny finish, then sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Bake the bagels in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack before serving.
Tips for the Best Results
- Make sure your water is warm but not too hot; temperatures above 120°F can kill the yeast.
- Knead the dough until it is smooth to develop the gluten properly, which gives the bagels their chewy texture.
- Experiment with different toppings, like poppy seeds or everything seasoning, for variety.
Easy Variations
- For a sweeter bagel, add cinnamon and sugar to the dough.
- Incorporate herbs like rosemary or garlic powder into the dough for a savory twist.
- Try mixing in cheese, like cheddar or asiago, for a cheesy bagel experience.
What to Serve With It
- Cream cheese and smoked salmon for a classic combination.
- Sliced avocado with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
- A warm bowl of soup for a comforting lunch.
- Fresh fruit for a light and refreshing side.
Storage and Reheating
📚 RECIPE LOVER FINDS
Love Trying New Recipes? Check These Out
Save your favorites, discover something different, or make meal planning a whole lot easier.
❤️ Love This Recipe? Save Your Favorites
Keep all those recipes you actually want to make again together in your own recipe book.
See It on Amazon →
🔥 Yep, Snoop Dogg Has a Cookbook
From Crook to Cook brings Snoop's spin to comfort food, classics and seriously fun recipes.
Check It Out on Amazon →
🥗 100+ Meals You Can Make Ahead
Simple make-ahead recipes and quick-assembly meals for making the week way easier.
See It on Amazon →
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Store any leftover bagels in a paper bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the bagels in a zip-top freezer bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply toast them or warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes.
Recipe Card
Recipe Name: Homemade Bagels with Sesame Seeds
Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Yield/Servings: 8 bagels
Ingredients:
4 cups bread flour
1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
2 teaspoons instant yeast
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon salt
¼ cup sesame seeds (for topping)
1 tablespoon baking soda (for boiling)
1 egg (optional, for egg wash)
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, instant yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Add the bread flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough begins to form.
3. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5. Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball, then poke a hole in the center with your finger to form a bagel shape.
6. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the baking soda to the boiling water.
7. Carefully drop the bagels into the boiling water, 2-3 at a time, and boil for about 1 minute on each side. Remove with a slotted spoon and let drain on a wire rack.
8. Place the boiled bagels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If using, brush the tops with beaten egg for a shiny finish, then sprinkle with sesame seeds.
9. Bake the bagels in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
10. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack before serving.
Notes: Enjoy your homemade bagels fresh, or toast them to reheat later!
Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Yield/Servings: 8 bagels
Ingredients:
4 cups bread flour
1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
2 teaspoons instant yeast
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon salt
¼ cup sesame seeds (for topping)
1 tablespoon baking soda (for boiling)
1 egg (optional, for egg wash)
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, instant yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Add the bread flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough begins to form.
3. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5. Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball, then poke a hole in the center with your finger to form a bagel shape.
6. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the baking soda to the boiling water.
7. Carefully drop the bagels into the boiling water, 2-3 at a time, and boil for about 1 minute on each side. Remove with a slotted spoon and let drain on a wire rack.
8. Place the boiled bagels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If using, brush the tops with beaten egg for a shiny finish, then sprinkle with sesame seeds.
9. Bake the bagels in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
10. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack before serving.
Notes: Enjoy your homemade bagels fresh, or toast them to reheat later!
