Easy Homemade Bagel Recipe (2024)

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These Easy Homemade Bagels are so easy yet delicious. Made with only 3 ingredients, this bagel has a nice outer crust and soft inside, this is the only bagel recipe you’ll ever need.

Easy Homemade Bagel Recipe (1)

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This homemade bagel recipe has become a staple in our house. Not only is it so darn to easy to make, but my girls and I can’t get enough of them. I love how simple this bagel recipe is and the variety of bagels I can make. The best part about it is I can have bagels in about 15 minutes from start to finish when I make them in my air fryer. You can also make these in a traditional oven if you don’t have an air fryer.

For this recipe, you’ll need the following:

Easy Homemade Bagel Recipe (2)

How to make Homemade Bagels with 3 Ingredients

Combine 1 cup of self-rising flour and 1 cup of greek yogurt in a bowl and stir until they are fully combined together. Once this is done you will want to place the dough on a floured surface and knead 3-4 times until you form a ball with the dough. You have now made it through the hardest steps!

  • Easy Homemade Bagel Recipe (3)
  • Easy Homemade Bagel Recipe (4)

Separate the dough into 4 equal-sized pieces and then roll them into circles. Lightly flatten them. In homemade bagel recipe fashion, you then get to poke your own hole in the middle of the dough pieces.

The bagels may turn out looking a little rougher then you are used to when you shape them. Trust me that these 3 ingredient bagels will smoothen out while baking.

  • Easy Homemade Bagel Recipe (5)
  • Easy Homemade Bagel Recipe (6)

Once the homemade bagels are put together, you will need a pastry brush. Using this pastry brush, you will brush the top of the bagels with a lightly beaten egg. Seasonings are up to you at this point to put on the top.

The most common bagel toppings are: Everything Bagel Seasoning, Cinnamon Sugar, Asiago Cheese or Cheddar Cheese or Plain (sprinkle the top with a little kosher salt for added flavor).

  • Easy Homemade Bagel Recipe (7)
  • Easy Homemade Bagel Recipe (8)

Air Fryer Bagels

To make air fryer bagels, you will need to lightly spray the Air Fryer Basket with oil and cook on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes or until tops are golden and the bagel is cooked through. Remove and allow it to cool.

Oven Baked Bagels

To bake these in the oven, you will need to follow the same above instructions but instead place the bagels on a greased baking sheet about 2 inches apart.. Place in an oven that has been preheated to 450 degrees. Bake for 15 minutes until the tops are golden. Serve and enjoy!

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Really Important Notes:

  • These bagels are not as chewy and robust as store-bought bagels. They’re definitely still good though and perfect for making at home.
  • Try not to over-knead the dough when making this recipe. A light roll into a ball is all you need. Over-kneading will cause the bagels to become tough.
  • Omitting the egg wash will cause the top of the bagels to become tough and hard rather than nice and crusty. I wouldn’t omit it in this recipe.
  • These bagels can be stored in your refrigerator for 3-4 days or they can be frozen.
  • If your Air fryer has metal grates rather than a non-stick coating, you will need to place parchment paper on the grates before adding the bagels. Otherwise, your bagels will stick.
  • You’ll want to make sure to use a Greek yogurt that is thick with the liquid drained (nonfat or whole milk Greek yogurt both work great).

Looking for more bread recipes? Try this easy banana bread recipe.

Easy Homemade Bagel Recipe (10)

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4.79 from 19 votes

Easy Homemade Bagel Recipe

These Homemade Bagels are so easy yet delicious. With a nice outer crust and soft inside, this is the only bagel recipe you’ll ever need.

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword air fryer bagels, homemade bagel recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 158kcal

Author Tanya

Ingredients

  • 1 cup self-rising flour or 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 and ½ teaspoons baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt mixed together
  • 1 cup Greek Yogurt
  • 1 egg lightly beaten
  • Toppings of your choice

Instructions

  • Combine self-rising flour and Greek Yogurt in a bowl and stir until they are fully combined together. Once this is done you will want to place the dough on a floured surface and knead until you form a ball with the dough.

  • Separate the dough into 4 equal-sized pieces and then roll them into circles. Lightly flatten them and stick a hole in the middle.

  • Use a pastry brush and spread the egg over the bagel dough. Top with your favorite toppings. Bake in the Air fryer or oven.

Air Fryer Method

  • Lightly spray the Air Fryer Basket with oil and place the bagels inside. Cook on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes or until tops are golden and the bagel is cooked through. Remove and allow it to cool.

Oven Method

  • Place the bagels on a greased baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Place in an oven that has been preheated to 450 degrees. Bake for 15 minutes until the tops are golden. Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

  • Try not to over-knead the dough when making this recipe. A light roll into a ball is all you need. Over-kneading will cause the bagels to become tough.
  • Omitting the egg wash will cause the top of the bagels to become tough and hard rather than nice and crusty. I wouldn’t omit it in this recipe.
  • These bagels can be stored in your refrigerator for 3-4 days or they can be frozen.

Nutrition

Calories: 158kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 34mg | Potassium: 117mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 59IU | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 1mg

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Easy Homemade Bagel Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is it hard to make homemade bagels? ›

As I mentioned before, bagel-making isn't hard, it's just time-consuming! If you'd prefer to make the dough the day before and boil and bake them the following morning, you absolutely can: Shape the dough into balls, place on a baking sheet, and spray the tops with cooking spray.

Is bagel dough different from bread dough? ›

Bagels are usually made from a stiff, dry dough, with hydrations in the range of 55 to 65% (compared to soft sandwich or crusty artisan breads, which are usually 65% hydration and higher). This helps give them their signature tight crumb structure and their chew.

What flour is best for bagels? ›

Bread flour – Because of its high protein content, bread flour makes these homemade bagels delightfully chewy. This recipe also works with all-purpose flour, they're just a bit less chewy than bagels made with bread flour. Maple syrup – It activates the yeast and gives the bagels a hint of sweetness.

Can you make bagels with pizza dough? ›

but we have figured out a really easy way to make a really comparable delicious bagel. From pizza dough. you want to divide this up into balls about two to three ounces each. you want to form these into a rough ball shape and set them on a greased baking sheet.

Why do my homemade bagels go flat? ›

According to Molly, “If the bagels proof too much, they'll deflate in the water bath.” If you're keeping an eye on your dough, she advises pulling it a little too early rather than a little too late (and definitely before they double in size), as it's better to be underproofed.

Why are my homemade bagels so dense? ›

If your dough is too wet, it'll create large holes in the crumb of the dough and your bagels will be more like French bread, with a fluffy interior (see top photo). When too much flour is kneaded in, bagels become dense, hard and tough, instead of crisp and chewy.

Why do you boil bagels in baking soda? ›

Add honey and baking soda to boiling water in a large pot. This will help give the bagels a nice sheen and golden brown color when out of the oven. Add a few bagels at a time to the pot, making sure they're not crowded. They should float immediately when added to the water.

Is a bagel healthier than bread? ›

Unfortunately there's no simple answer to this question. In terms of calories, on average one bagel has more calories than one slice of bread. However, if you choose to have a bagel with more fibre, this may help you feel fuller for longer and potentially reduce your snacking throughout the day.

Why are New York bagels different from other bagels? ›

A New York–style bagel is always boiled in water that has had barley malt added, which gives a bagel its signature taste, texture, and leathery skin.

Do you need lye to make bagels? ›

Well yes, lye can do that but did you also know it is used to make bagels? Some bakers will dip the bagel in a lye solution as it speeds up the process that creates the distinctive bagel crust and taste.

Is baking soda or baking powder better for bagels? ›

Make sure you use only baking soda and not baking powder. The baking soda helps the bagels form that beautiful golden crust and give them the distinct bagels taste. Use bread flour instead if you want, or any high-gluten flour, this will help create more glen in the dough.

What makes New York bagels so much better? ›

Much like a specific vineyard terroir is used to make a wine, certain minerals in New York City tap water are attributed to creating the best bagels. These include low concentrations of calcium and magnesium and a high level of sediment.

What makes bagels in New York so good? ›

a regular bagel is the water you boil them in. Much like a specific vineyard terroir is used to make a wine, certain minerals in New York City tap water are attributed to creating the best bagels. These include low concentrations of calcium and magnesium and a high level of sediment.

How do you make homemade bagels less dense? ›

If you want a thinner crust and airier texture in your bagels, shorten the boiling time slightly (around 45 seconds, instead of the 60 seconds called for in the recipe). The shorter boil means the crust has less opportunity to preset, which allows more rising, and thus a “fluffier” bagel.

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