Classic Homemade New York-Style Bagels
📝 Description
These Classic Homemade New York-Style Bagels are perfectly chewy on the inside with a beautifully golden, crisp crust on the outside. Boiled before baking for their signature texture, they’re topped with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or left plain for a traditional finish. Enjoy them fresh with cream cheese, smoked salmon, butter, or your favorite sandwich fillings for a delicious breakfast or brunch.
🥯 Classic Homemade New York-Style Bagels Recipe
⏱ Prep Time
30 minutes
⏱ Rise Time
1 hour 30 minutes
⏱ Cook Time
25 minutes
⏱ Total Time
2 hours 25 minutes
🍽 Servings
8 bagels
🛒 Ingredients
For the Dough
- 4 cups (500g) bread flour
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1¼ cups (300ml) warm water (110°F/43°C)
For Boiling
- 2 quarts (2 liters) water
- 2 tablespoons honey or barley malt syrup
- 1 tablespoon baking soda (optional)
Toppings
- Sesame seeds
- Poppy seeds
- Everything bagel seasoning
- Coarse salt (optional)
Egg Wash
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Make the Dough
- In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, mix the bread flour and salt.
- Add the yeast mixture and knead for 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
2. First Rise
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl.
- Cover and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
3. Shape the Bagels
- Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a ball, then poke a hole through the center and gently stretch to form a bagel shape.
- Cover and rest for 20–30 minutes.
4. Boil the Bagels
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Bring the water, honey, and baking soda to a gentle boil.
- Boil each bagel for 30–45 seconds per side.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a parchment-lined baking tray.
5. Add Toppings
- Brush each bagel with the egg wash.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or your favorite topping.
6. Bake
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until deep golden brown.
- Cool on a wire rack before slicing.
💡 Tips
- Bread flour gives bagels their classic chewy texture.
- Don’t skip the boiling step—it creates the signature crust.
- Freeze sliced bagels for up to 3 months and toast straight from frozen.
- Try cinnamon raisin, garlic, onion, or everything seasoning variations.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
- Cream cheese and smoked salmon
- Butter and jam
- Peanut butter and banana
- Avocado and tomato
- Egg and cheese breakfast sandwich
- Turkey, lettuce, and cheese sandwich
🥗 Nutrition (Approx. Per Bagel)
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fat: 2g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
