Mastering Homemade Bagels: Tips, Techniques, and the Best Variations to Try

Why Make Bagels at Home?

Making bagels at home is very easy, more so than you might think. At home you can control the ingredients used, customize the flavors, and experience the joy of baking delicious bagels from scratch. Whether you prefer the classic plain bagels or something unique like cheddar cheese bagels, mastering some technique is a key.

Essential Bagel-Making Technique

• The Right Flour Matters: When making buns at home, look no further than bread flour since it has the highest protein content. The higher the level of protein in the flour, the stronger the dough and the better the texture of the loaf

• Dough hydration: Unlike sandwich bread and most crust bread recipes, bagel is usually made from a slightly stiffer dough with a medium hydration level—ideally 55-60%. The low water content gives bagels the dense, chewy, chewy bagel crumbs we know and makes the dough handier when shaping.

• Boiling Before Baking: To give bagels their dense soft texture, boiling water is curial.  Although some recipes call for honey or sugar and baking soda, malt syrup is your best choice because it gives the bagels an old-fashioned malty sweetness.

Different Bagel Types to Try

You’re probably familiar with classics like everything, sesame, and poppy seed bagels. Instead, why not step outside the usual and explore something new? Here are some Bagel Flavors to try:

Russian Black bagels: Created from a dough of whole rye flour, malt syrup, molasses, and cocoa powder, Russian Black bagels are dark in color and rich in flavor.

Pumpkin Spice Bagels: a popular seasonal treat, are infused with the rich, earthy flavor of pumpkin and a blend of spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, creating a comforting, flavorful harmony.

Matcha Bagels: Japan's unique style of bagels, softer, smoother, and chewier than classic New York or Montreal styles. Infused with matcha green tea powder and molasses, these bagels have a vibrant green color and nutty flavor.

French Toast Bagels:  Inspired by the famous sandwich, combine custardy French toast with chewy bagel texture. French toast bagel recipes can vary, but typically involve infusing dough with spices, topping with a sweet sugar glaze, or layering cream cheese or Nutella.

Pumpernickel Bagels: Inspired by the famous German bread but made with modified ingredients like molasses, brown sugar, maple syrup, and sometimes stuffed with caraway seeds and onion for an exotic taste.

Want to learn about more unique bagel types? Check out this detailed bagel guide to explore the full range!