top of page

Handmade Homemade Bagels

​

Handmade Homemade Bagels

​

Makes about 16 bagels

​

Here is my method for making excellent homemade bagels, soft and perfectly golden brown. This is the very principle of homemade cooking: simple ingredients and the joy of a batch freshly pulled from the oven. My tip: once cooled slightly, I slice them all in half before putting them in the freezer. That way, they are ready to pop straight into the toaster at any time.

​

Ingredients

​

• Unbleached all-purpose flour: 1050 g (7 cups)

• Instant yeast: 30 ml (2 tbsp)

• Salt: 15 ml (1 tbsp)

• Warm water: up to 620 ml (2 1/2 cups) (adjust as needed)

• Egg: 1 egg

• Honey: 250 ml (1 cup) total (120 ml for the dough + 130 ml for the poaching water)

• Vegetable oil: 90 ml (6 tbsp)

• Sesame seeds (or topping of choice): 70 g (1/2 cup)

​

Instructions

​

  1. The dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook (or in a large bowl), combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Add the egg, half of the honey (120 ml), the oil, then gradually pour in the warm water. Adjust the water amount while kneading until you get a ball of dough that does not stick to the sides of the bowl. Knead for about 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

  2. First rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp cloth and let rest in a warm place for 30 minutes.

  3. Shaping: Divide the dough into 16 equal portions. Shape each piece into a rope about 23 cm (9 inches) long, then join the ends together by rolling the seam under the palm of your hand to seal the bagel. Place on a floured work surface and let rest for 15 minutes.

  4. Oven setup: Preheat the oven to 200°C fan (convection). Line two to three baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

  5. Poaching: In a large pot, bring about 3 to 4 litres of water to a boil with the remaining honey (130 ml). Poach the bagels a few at a time for about 3 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on the baking sheets.

  6. Topping and baking: Sprinkle immediately with sesame seeds. Bake at 200°C (fan) for about 20 minutes, or until nicely golden brown (exact time may vary depending on your oven).

bottom of page