Sourdough Bagels Recipe

This easy sourdough bagels recipe makes the most delicious, chewy bagels you’ll ever have!

Only a few ingredients and minimal steps are needed for this simple overnight recipe.

I’m so excited to share this bagel recipe with you guys! When I say it’s the easiest sourdough bagel you’ll ever make, I’m not exaggerating.

Why are bagels boiled before baking? Boiling the bagels quickly cooks the outside of the bagel which ensures that they hold their shape during baking.

PREP TIME: 25minutes minutes
COOK TIME: 35minutes minutes
FERMENTATION TIME: 12hours hours

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS TO MAKE ½ CUP (100 G) OF ACTIVE SOURDOUGH STARTER

1 tablespoon (15 g)sourdough starter
⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon (50g) all-purpose flour
3 ½ tablespoons (50 g)water

BAGEL DOUGH

½ cup (100 g) active sourdough starter
1 cup + 1 tablespoon (255g) water
2 tablespoons (40 g) honey(or sugar)
2 teaspoons (10 g) fine sea salt
4 cups + 2 tablespoons(500 g) bread flour

WATER BATH

6 cups water
1 tablespoon granulated sugar

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS

sesame seeds
Everything Bagel Seasoning
salt ( sprinkle on top, don’t dip)
poppy seeds
shredded cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

FEED YOUR SOURDOUGH STARTER

12 hours before you plan to mix the dough, add the ingredients to make ½ cup (100 g) of active sourdough starter to a clean jar. Stir until combined, loosely cover the jar and let the starter rise at room temperature. (The ingredients will create a total of 115 g active starter but, because some of it will stick to the sides of the jar during the transfer, we are making a little more than needed.) The sourdough starter is ready to use when it has doubled in size and there are plenty of bubbles on the surface and sides of the jar.

MAKE THE DOUGH

In the bowl of a stand mixer, stirtogether the starter, water, honey and salt with a spatula. Add the bread flour and use your hands to bring the ingredients together as best as possible. The dough will be very stiff. Place the dough hook on the mixer and mix the dough on the lowest speed for 6-7 minutes. (Or 10 minutes by hand.) Cover the bowl and let rest at room temperature for 8-12 hours. (See notes for cinnamon raisin bagels.)
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball. To shape the bagel, place a dough ball on the surface in front of you and use your thumb to poke a hole straight down through the middle of the dough. Pick the bagel dough up, gently shape the ring and place on the parchment paper. Repeat with remaining dough balls. Cover the dough with a towel and let rise for 30-60 minutes or until puffy. (See notes about parchment paper.)
Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C) making sure that the oven rack in the center position. Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a large stockpot and add 1 tablespoon of sugar. Once the bagels have finished rising, boil them for 2 minutes on each side. (Only boil 3-4 at a time, making sure not to crowd the pot.)
Use a mesh stainer to removethe bagels and let rest on the parchment paper until cool enough to handle. Once cool enough, dip one side into your choice of toppings and placeback onto the parchment paper.

NOTES

Parchment Paper: I recommend using Kirkland brand parchment paper from Costco. I’ve used it for years with zero sticking issues with any of my recipes. Flour the bottom of the bagels or the parchment paper after shaping them if you issues with sticking.
Cinnamon Raisin Bagels: Add 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon to the dry ingredients. After kneading the dough, add ¾ cups of raisins and knead them into the dough to distribute evenly.
How to measure flour without a scale: Use a spoon to scoop the flour into a measuring cup until it is heaped on top. Take a butterknife and level off the top. This should give you the most accurate measurement for flour.
Tips for baking in warm and/or high humidity areas: Reduce the water by 50 grams in the initial mix and then slowly add the remaining water until you achieve the correct hydration level. You may need to bake the bagels a few minutes longer. This will take some trial and error!
To Store: Keep baked bagels covered, at room temperature for up to 1 week. Storing in the fridge is not recommended.
To Freeze baked bagels: Let the bagels cool completely. Wrap bagels individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: Allow the bagels to thaw on counter, if frozen. Cut in half and heat in toaster or toaster oven.