How to make bagels

Want to learn how to make your own bagels? This helpful step-by-step recipe is a great addition to your collection of bread recipes

How to make bagels
(Image credit: Future)

Want to learn how to make your own bagels? This helpful step-by-step recipe is a great addition to your collection of bread recipes

Want to learn how to make your own bagels? This helpful step-by-step recipe is a great addition to your collection of bread recipes. Get the recipe here.

Step 1

How to make bagels | Bread recipes

Step 1

Put the flour, salt, and sugar in a bowl. Mix the yeast in 300ml (10fl oz) warm water.

Step 2

How to make bagels | Bread recipes

Step 2

Add the oil and pour the liquid into the flour mixture, stirring together to form a soft dough.

Step 3

How to make bagels | Bread recipes

Step 3

Knead on a floured surface for 10 minutes until smooth. Transfer to an oiled bowl.

Step 4

How to make bagels | Bread recipes

Step 4

Cover loosely with cling film and leave to rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours until doubled.

Step 5

How to make bagels | Bread recipes

Step 5

Transfer to a floured surface, push it back to its original size, and divide into 8–10 pieces.

Step 6

How to make bagels | Bread recipes

Step 6

Take each piece of dough and roll it under your palm to make a fat log shape.

Step 7

How to make bagels | Bread recipes

Step 7

Using your palms, continue to roll it towards each end, until it is about 25cm (10in) long.

Step 8

How to make bagels | Bread recipes

Step 8

Take the dough and wrap it around your knuckles, so the join is underneath your palm.

Step 9

How to make bagels | Bread recipes

Step 9

Squeeze gently, then roll briefly to seal the join. The hole should still be big at this stage.

Step 10

How to make bagels | Bread recipes

Step 10

Transfer to 2 baking trays lined with baking parchment. Repeat to shape all the bagels.

Step 11

How to make bagels | Bread recipes

Step 11

Cover with cling film and a tea towel. Leave in a warm place for about 1 hour until doubled.

Step 12

How to make bagels | Bread recipes

Step 12

Preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F/Gas 7, and set a large pan of water to boil.

Step 13

How to make bagels | Bread recipes

Step 13

Poach the bagels in gently simmering water for 1 minute on either side.

Step 14

How to make bagels | Bread recipes

Step 14

Remove them from the water with a slotted spoon. Dry them briefly on a clean tea towel.

Step 15

How to make bagels | Bread recipes

Step 15

Return the bagels to the baking trays and brush them with a little beaten egg.

Step 16

How to make bagels

(Image credit: Future)

Step 16

Bake in the centre of the oven for 20-25 mins until golden. Cool for 5 mins ona wire rack before serving. Store: Best the day they are made, but still taste good toasted the next day.

Where to next?

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Step-by-Step Baking Taken from Step-By-Step Baking by Caroline Bretherton (DK, £25, dk.com)

Grace Walsh
Features Writer

Grace Walsh is a health and wellbeing writer, working across the subjects of family, relationships, and LGBT topics, as well as sleep and mental health. A digital journalist with over six years  experience as a writer and editor for UK publications, Grace is currently Health Editor for womanandhome.com and has also worked with Cosmopolitan, Red, The i Paper, GoodtoKnow, and more. After graduating from the University of Warwick, she started her career writing about the complexities of sex and relationships, before combining personal hobbies with professional and writing about fitness.