Easy Recipe for Bagels with Freshly Milled Flour

Delicious, healthy gourmet bagels are about to rock your world! Try my easy recipe for bagels. You won’t believe how simple they are to make at home with 100% whole wheat made from freshly milled flour.

Here is a little confession of mine: I love bagels and I love making bread, but until recently I hadn’t tried making my own bagels at home. (sad sigh)

I don’t know why, except that bagels have always just seemed intimidating to me. The idea of boiling and then baking? That sounded like it must take all day! And I was sure they wouldn’t come out with that lovely, chewy texture inside that you get from the bakery or bagel shops.

Well, I was wrong. So, so wrong!

Why You’ve got to Try this Easy Bagel Recipe

As it turns out, bagels are easy to make at home! They don’t take all day to make (they’re quicker to make than a loaf of bread).

Homemade bagels do have fantastic flavor – even better than the bakery ones! You can customize your homemade bagels any way you want (mix-in’s, toppings, spreads, etc.). They cost pennies to make, and they look (and taste!) like a gourmet treat. Seriously!

If you’ve never made bagels, you gotta try it!

The recipe I’m sharing with you today is quick, easy, and full of freshly milled whole grain flour. It’s a perfect recipe for beginners or pro bakers, and one that’s sure to delight the family.

Grab your apron – it’s time to get cooking!

Easy Bagel Recipe Ingredients

For this recipe, you are going to need:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon sunflower lecithin (optional, but highly recommended)
• 5 ½  cups (620 grams) freshly milled whole grain flour (hard red or hard white work best)
• 1 ½ tablespoons instant yeast 

For Boiling:

• 2 quarts water
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking soda

Toppings:

• 1 egg white wash (egg white + 2 tablespoons water)
• Any toppings you want on the bagel, such as sesame seeds, flakey salt, everything-but-the-bagel seasoning, cinnamon sugar, etc.

How to Make this Easy Bagel Recipe

Mixing the Bagel Dough

Add the water, oil, honey, salt, and sunflower lecithin to a large mixing bowl or stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment.  Mix these ingredients together until well incorporated.

Add half the flour and all of the yeast and mix thoroughly.  Let this sit and activate the yeast for a couple of minutes.  Add the rest of the flour, a half of a cup at a time, until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl, or you are able to knead it without the dough being too sticky.

Mix/knead the dough for at least 5 minutes, to help develop the gluten structure.  The dough should hold its form well.  Continue to flour your surface as needed, so the dough does not stick too much.

Rise

Oil a bowl and coat the dough in the oil, then cover and let the dough rest and rise in a warm place until doubled. This should take about 1 hour.

How to Shape Bagels

Prepare a full sized sheet pan by spraying with non-stick spray or lining with parchment paper.  This is your baking pan.

Also prepare another pan or surface with cooling racks on top.  This will be where you will place the boiled bagels to drip dry before baking.  You could also just set them on tea towels on your counter.

Dump your dough onto a floured surface.  Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, or 16 pieces for smaller bagels.

To shape your bagels, first form a uniform round ball shape with each piece of dough.  Place it on your prepared baking sheet or countertop.  Press the dough balls down slightly, so it is a little flatter.

Dust your thumb with flour and insert your thumb into the center of each dough ball, ensuring that it goes all the way through.  You can also pick it up and make sure the hole is formed through the entire bagel.

Boiling the Bagels

Cover and set the bagels aside while you quickly prepare for boiling and baking.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit.  

While preheating, prepare your water bath by bringing the 2 quarts of water to a boil.  Bring it back down to a simmer and try to keep it there while working with your bagels.

Add the baking soda and brown sugar to the simmering water.

Add 3 bagels into the boiling water and boil for 30 seconds on each side.  Use a big, slotted spoon to flip and remove from the boiling water.  Place them on the towel or drying rack to let drip dry slightly.

Baking Instructions

Transfer the boiled bagels to your prepared baking sheet.  Paste on the egg wash over the bagels, to help achieve more of a chewy exterior. If you are adding toppings or seasonings, the egg wash will help them adhere to the bagel.

Bake for 15-20 minutes.  Watch the bagels closely and remove them if they are getting too golden brown.  You can also lower the heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit if you feel they are cooking too fast in your oven.

Let them cool completely before slicing into them and adding cream cheese or other spreads.  You can also toast them if you like toasted bagels.

Printable Easy Bagel Recipe Card

Toppings and Mix-in’s Suggestions

Customizing your bagels is the fun part! Feel free to try various dough mix-ins like raisins, dried cranberries, blueberries or herbs. Before baking, top your bagels with poppy seeds, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, salt or any other seasoning you can think of. (Everything-but-the-bagel seasoning is a great savory option!)

After baking and cooling, top with butter, cream cheese, jam or make into a bagel sandwich. Sweet or savory – it’s all up to you!

Storing and Freezing Bagels

These bagels freeze great and make for a quick breakfast, straight from the freezer.  The day they are baked, slice them in half and add to a freezer safe bag or container.  If you have multiple bagels, wrap each one in plastic wrap to prevent them from sticking together. When ready to eat, toast and devour! 

More Whole Wheat Recipes

Next time you crave good bagels, skip the bakery and give this easy homemade bagel recipe a try! It’s, quick, easy and made with simple ingredients. Once you’ve learned how easy these gourmet bagels are to make, you’ll be wondering why you haven’t been making them your whole life!

If you love delicious whole wheat recipes, try one of these:

• 100% Whole Wheat Focaccia Bread Recipe
• 100% Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Banana Bars
• 100% Whole Grain Spelt Sourdough Bread
• Honey Whole Wheat Bread Recipe
• Healthy Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls
• Healthy Whole Wheat Breadsticks | Quick and Easy!
• 100% Whole Wheat Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns Recipe
• You Won’t Believe They Are 100% Whole Wheat Rolls Recipe