Plain Bagels
Perfectly chewy on the inside with a golden, slightly crisp exterior, these homemade Plain Bagels are a breakfast essential that truly elevate your mornings. Made from simple pantry staples—like all-purpose flour, sugar, and active dry yeast—this recipe walks you through the rewarding process of creating bakery-quality bagels in your own kitchen. A brief boil in honey-sweetened water gives these bagels their signature shine and dense texture, while a quick bake ensures they're deliciously soft and flavorful. Whether enjoyed toasted with cream cheese, as the base for a hearty sandwich, or simply on their own, these versatile bagels are a must-try. With straightforward steps and accessible ingredients, it's the ultimate guide for beginners and bagel enthusiasts alike!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.25 cups Warm water
- 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
- 3 tablespoons Granulated sugar
- 4 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 0.5 tablespoons Vegetable oil (for greasing)
- 2 quarts Water (for boiling)
- 3 tablespoons Honey or malt syrup (optional, for boiling water)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
Add the salt and 3.5 cups of flour into the yeast mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, adding the remaining 0.5 cup of flour as needed, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Lightly grease a clean bowl with vegetable oil. Place the dough in the bowl and turn it to coat with oil. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball, then use your thumb to create a hole in the center of each ball, stretching it into a bagel shape.
Place the shaped bagels on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely with a towel and let them rest for 10 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Bring the 2 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. If desired, stir in honey or malt syrup for added flavor.
Carefully drop 2-3 bagels at a time into the boiling water. Boil for 1 minute on each side, then use a slotted spoon to remove them and place them back on the baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bagels are golden brown and cooked through.
Cool on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy your freshly made plain bagels with your favorite toppings!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
280 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 1.4 g | 2% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.3 g | 2% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 488 mg | 21% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 59.1 g | 21% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.7 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.2 g | ||
| Protein | 6.6 g | 13% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 9 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 71 mg | 2% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
