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!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:90 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:115 mins

Servings: 8

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)

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

Add the salt and 3.5 cups of flour into the yeast mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

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.

Step 8

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.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bagels are golden brown and cooked through.

Step 10

Cool on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy your freshly made plain bagels with your favorite toppings!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2799.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2161.6

Total Fat 11.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 1.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4734.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 458.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.5g	0%
Total Sugars 90.1g
Protein 52.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 70.3mg	0%
Iron 22.9mg	0%
Potassium 690.3mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 4.9%

Protein: 9.8%

Carbs: 85.3%