Homemade Everything Bagels

There's nothing like the taste of a freshly baked bagel—crispy on the outside, wonderfully chewy on the inside. While bagels are a staple on breakfast and brunch menus in many countries, many people think they are difficult to make. In reality, the process is surprisingly simple.

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Bagels are a classic treat, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even as a savoury snack. These deliciously dense, golden-brown rolls with a distinctive chewy texture are a favourite for many. With this simple recipe, you can make fresh bagels in your own kitchen without complicated ingredients or techniques.

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Why Make Bagels at Home?

Making bagels at home gives you complete control over the ingredients, ensuring a fresh and wholesome result every time. You can experiment with different flavours, toppings, and variations to create a bagel that’s uniquely yours. Plus, the satisfaction of baking your own bagels from scratch is hard to beat!

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What is "Everything but the Bagel" Seasoning?

"Everything but the Bagel" seasoning is a blend of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and sea salt. Some variations might also include other ingredients like dried red pepper flakes or dried black garlic for an extra kick. Find the recipe here

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The Perfect Homemade Bagel Recipe

This recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any special skills or equipment. In just a few hours, you’ll have a batch of golden-brown, chewy bagels ready to enjoy.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Making Bagels

Mix the Dry Ingredients - It’s important to keep the yeast separate from the salt initially, as direct contact can reduce the yeast’s effectiveness.

Add Lukewarm Water - The water should be warm to the touch, around 38°C (100°F), to activate the yeast without killing it. 

Knead the Dough - The goal is to develop the gluten, which gives bagels their chewy texture. You’ll know the dough is ready when it’s smooth and elastic, bouncing back when pressed.

Let the Dough Rise - This step is crucial for achieving the perfect texture.

Shape the Bagels - Poke a hole through the centre with your finger and stretch it to create the traditional bagel shape

Boil the Bagels - This mixture helps create the bagels' shiny, golden crust. 

Bake to Perfection - Add your favourite toppings, such as sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or "everything bagel" seasoning. 

Cool and Serve - Allow the bagels to cool on a wire rack before slicing them open. Top with classic spreads like cream cheese and smoked salmon, or get creative with your favourite ingredients.

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Baking time and oven temperature

Remember, each oven is unique, so some adjustments to baking time and oven temperature might be needed based on your specific baking environment. All oven temperatures in my recipes are based on a conventional oven. If you bake with a fan-assisted oven, turn down the temperature slightly as these ovens tend to become hotter than a conventional oven at that temperature setting. Ovens have the tendency to deviate from the temperature you set the oven to. I would highly recommend using an oven thermometer to ensure the inside of your oven is at the right temperature. My oven for example only goes up to 160C even though I turn it up to 230C 

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An oven that is too hot may result in an overbaked or burnt bake, an oven that is too cold may result in underbaked and soggy bakes. Having the thermometer will not only help in getting the right temperature but also helps in determining the right baking time. 

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Enjoy loves xx

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