Homemade New York-Style Bagels
These homemade New York-style bagels are chewy, crusty, and deliciously customizable, perfect for brunch or any time of the day.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups Bread flour Essential for the chewy texture
- 2 teaspoons Instant yeast No need to activate
- 1.5 cups Warm water Comfortably warm (not hot)
- 2 tablespoons Sugar (or honey) Adds a touch of sweetness
- 2 teaspoons Salt Coarse salt preferred
- 1 tablespoon Oil Optional, helps with stickiness
For Water Bath
- 2 tablespoons Baking soda For chewy texture and shine
Instructions
Preparation
- Mix the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar in a large bowl.
- Add warm water and stir until a rough dough forms.
- Knead the dough for about 8 minutes until smooth.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place until it becomes puffy (about 30 minutes).
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces.
Shaping Bagels
- Roll each piece into a ball and poke a hole in the center to form a ring.
- Gently stretch the ring to make a hole about 2 inches wide.
- Let the bagels rest for about 20 minutes.
Bagel Water Bath
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add baking soda.
- Boil each bagel for 1 minute on each side.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the bagels and let them drain before placing on a baking tray.
Baking
- Preheat the oven and bake the bagels until golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Notes
Serve with your favorite spreads like cream cheese or hummus. Bagels can be frozen for later. Enjoy with various toppings or try different flavor combinations!