Can You Make Bagels With Pizza Dough

Yes, you can make bagels with pizza dough.
 
And honestly, the results are way better than you might expect.
 
If you’ve ever stared at a ball of pizza dough in your fridge and wondered if you can make bagels with pizza dough, the answer is a confident yes.
 
The beauty is that pizza dough already contains the essential ingredients for bagels: flour, water, yeast, and salt.
 
This means you can make bagels with pizza dough using a simple process that transforms that pizza base into a chewy, golden, boiled-then-baked breakfast staple.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through why you can make bagels with pizza dough, the best method to do it, and a few pro tips to get that classic bagel texture.
 
Let’s dive right in.
 

Why You Can Make Bagels with Pizza Dough

The short answer is that pizza dough and bagel dough share a similar foundation.
 
Both rely on wheat flour, water, yeast, and salt to create a chewy, satisfying bite.
 
When you make bagels with pizza dough, you’re working with a dough that already has good gluten development.
 
Gluten is the protein network that gives bagels their signature chew, and pizza dough is usually kneaded enough to build that structure.
 
So yes, you can make bagels with pizza dough straight from the store or from your own homemade batch.
 
The main difference is that traditional bagel dough is stiffer and lower in hydration than pizza dough.
 
But that won’t stop you from making a delicious batch, you just need to handle it a bit differently.
 

1. The Gluten Content Is Already There

When you make bagels with pizza dough, you’re starting with a dough that’s been kneaded to develop gluten.
 
This is exactly what you need for a chewy bagel interior.
 
Pizza dough often has a hydration level of around 60–65%, which is close enough to bagel dough’s 55–60% range.
 
So the structure will hold up well during boiling and baking.
 
You can make bagels with pizza dough without worrying about them turning out flat or dense.
 

2. Flavor Works in Your Favor

Pizza dough typically has a mild, slightly tangy flavor if it’s been fermented slowly.
 
That tang actually complements bagel toppings like sesame seeds, everything seasoning, or even cinnamon sugar.
 
So when you make bagels with pizza dough, you’re not sacrificing taste.
 
You’re just giving the dough a new job, and it does the job beautifully.
 
Plus, if your pizza dough has some olive oil in it, that adds a subtle richness that many bagel recipes lack.
 

3. Boiling Is the Game Changer

The trick to making bagels from pizza dough is the boiling step.
 
When you boil shaped dough briefly, it sets the crust and gives that shiny, chewy exterior.
 
So yes, you can make bagels with pizza dough as long as you don’t skip the boil.
 
Boiling also helps the dough hold its shape in the oven, so your bagels won’t puff up like pizza crust.
 

How to Make Bagels with Pizza Dough Step by Step

Now let’s get practical.
 
Here’s the exact method to turn pizza dough into bagels in your own kitchen.
 
This process works with store-bought pizza dough or homemade, just make sure it’s at room temperature before you start.
 

1. Bring the Dough to Room Temperature

Take your pizza dough out of the fridge and let it sit for about 30 to 45 minutes.
 
Cold dough is harder to shape and tends to spring back.
 
When you make bagels with pizza dough, warm dough is your best friend because it’s more pliable.
 
Once it’s soft, divide it into equal pieces, usually about 4 to 6 ounces each.
 

2. Shape the Bagels

Roll each piece into a smooth ball.
 
Then poke a hole in the center with your thumb and gently stretch it into a ring.
 
Make the hole a bit larger than you think, because it will shrink during proofing.
 
That’s how you make bagels with pizza dough look like real bagels.
 
Place the shaped rings on a floured baking sheet and cover them with a damp towel.
 

3. Let Them Proof Briefly

Let the shaped dough rest for about 20 to 30 minutes.
 
This short proof helps the dough relax and puff slightly.
 
Don’t over-proof, or your bagels will be too airy and lose their chew.
 
A good rule of thumb is that they should look slightly puffy but still hold their shape.
 

4. Boil the Bagels

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
 
Add a tablespoon of honey or barley malt syrup to the water if you have it.
 
This gives the bagels a subtle sweetness and a beautiful golden color.
 
Drop the bagels in, one or two at a time, and boil for 1 to 2 minutes per side.
 
The longer you boil, the chewier the crust will be.
 

5. Add Toppings and Bake

Remove the boiled bagels with a slotted spoon and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
 
While they’re still wet, sprinkle on your favorite toppings like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything seasoning.
 
Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, or until deep golden brown.
 
Let them cool slightly before slicing, and that’s it.
 

Common Mistakes When You Make Bagels with Pizza Dough

Even though you can make bagels with pizza dough, a few pitfalls can ruin the batch.
 
Here’s what to watch out for.
 

1. Skipping the Boil

If you skip the boiling step, you’re just baking pizza dough in a bagel shape.
 
The boil is what creates that iconic chewy crust.
 
So always boil, even if you’re in a hurry.
 

2. Over-Hydrating the Dough

Some pizza doughs are very wet and sticky.
 
If your dough feels too slack, add a little flour while shaping.
 
You can make bagels with pizza dough that’s wet, but you’ll need to dust it well to avoid sticking.
 

3. Not Letting the Dough Rest

Rushing the shaping step will give you tough, misshapen bagels.
 
Give the dough time to relax between shaping and boiling.
 
This rest is crucial for a tender interior.
 

So, Can You Make Bagels with Pizza Dough?

Yes, you can make bagels with pizza dough.
 
It’s a quick and clever shortcut that saves you the time of making dough from scratch.
 
The results are chewy, golden, and surprisingly authentic, especially with the boiling step included.
 
You can make bagels with pizza dough for breakfast, brunch, or a fun weekend baking project.
 
Whether you use store-bought dough or a leftover homemade batch, this method delivers real bagels.
 
So next time you’re wondering what to do with that pizza dough, don’t just make a flatbread.
 
Make bagels with pizza dough instead, and enjoy a fresh, warm bagel in under an hour.