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You can make bagels with a bread machine by using the machine to mix, knead, and proof the dough, then shaping, boiling, and baking the bagels yourself in your oven.
This method takes the hard work out of making homemade bagels because the bread machine handles the tedious dough preparation.
If you’ve been wondering how to make bagels with a bread machine, you’re in the right place because this approach is beginner-friendly and delivers chewy, bakery-quality results.
In this post, we’ll walk through the entire process of how to make bagels with a bread machine, from gathering ingredients to the final golden bake.
Let’s dive into the simple steps that will have you enjoying fresh bagels in no time.
Why Use a Bread Machine to Make Bagels
Using a bread machine to make bagels simplifies the most challenging part of bagel making, which is developing the dough’s gluten structure.
When you make bagels with a bread machine, the machine does all the kneading for you, saving your arms from a serious workout.
The bread machine also provides a consistent proofing environment, which means your bagel dough will rise perfectly every single time.
This is especially helpful if you’re new to baking or you’ve struggled with dense, tough bagels in the past.
Plus, you can make bagels with a bread machine and still achieve that distinctive shiny crust and chewy interior that bagel lovers crave.
1. Perfect Dough Consistency Every Time
The bread machine is excellent at producing a smooth, elastic bagel dough without overworking it.
You simply add your ingredients and select the dough cycle, and the machine takes care of the mixing and kneading.
This steady, even kneading is key when you make bagels with a bread machine because it activates the gluten just enough for that perfect chew.
You won’t have to guess whether you’ve kneaded the dough for too long or not enough.
The result is a consistent, reliable dough batch after batch.
2. Hands-Off Proofing and Rising
Another reason to make bagels with a bread machine is that it manages the first rise for you.
After the kneading cycle ends, the machine keeps the dough at an ideal temperature for proofing.
This removes the need to monitor your dough and worry about drafts or a cold kitchen slowing down the rise.
Once the dough cycle finishes, you’ll have a perfectly puffed and ready-to-shape dough.
It’s a hands-off approach that makes bagel making feel far less stressful.
3. Easy Cleanup
When you make bagels with a bread machine, you only have one bowl to clean instead of a countertop dusted with flour and a messy mixing bowl.
The bread machine keeps the dough contained, which means less mess on your kitchen surfaces.
This convenience makes it more likely you’ll whip up a batch of bagels on a lazy Sunday morning.
Cleanup is quick, so you can spend more time enjoying your fresh bagels and less time scrubbing.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Bagels with a Bread Machine
Now that you know why this method works, let’s walk through the full process of how to make bagels with a bread machine from start to finish.
This recipe makes eight standard-sized bagels, and the entire process takes about two hours including baking time.
Follow these easy steps, and you’ll be a bagel pro in no time.
1. Gather Your Ingredients and Dough Cycle Setup
You’ll need 1 ¼ cups of warm water, 3 ½ cups of bread flour, 2 teaspoons of instant yeast, 1 ½ teaspoons of salt, and 1 tablespoon of sugar or barley malt syrup.
For boiling the bagels, you’ll also need a large pot of water and about 3 tablespoons of baking soda or honey for that shiny crust.
Add the water and then the dry ingredients to your bread machine pan in the order your machine recommends, typically liquids first and then dry ingredients.
Make a small well in the flour and add the yeast to keep it away from the salt and water initially.
Select the “dough” cycle on your machine and press start, and the machine will do the heavy lifting.
Once the cycle completes, you’ll have a ball of smooth, elastic dough that has already done its first rise.
2. Shape the Bagels
Lightly flour your work surface and turn the dough out of the bread machine pan onto it.
Divide the dough into eight equal pieces, and roll each piece into a smooth ball.
Then, poke your thumb through the center of each ball to create a hole, gently stretching it into a ring shape about two inches wide.
Make the hole a bit larger than you think you need because it will shrink slightly during proofing and boiling.
Place the shaped bagels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover them with a clean towel, and let them rest for about 10 to 15 minutes.
This short rest allows the gluten to relax so they hold their shape better in the water bath.
3. Boil and Bake the Bagels
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
Add the baking soda or honey to the boiling water, which is the secret to a glossy, chewy bagel crust.
Drop 2-3 bagels at a time into the boiling water, being careful not to overcrowd the pot.
Boil each bagel for 1 minute per side, then remove them with a slotted spoon and place them back on the prepared baking sheet.
If you want to add toppings like sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning, sprinkle them on right after boiling while the bagels are still damp.
Bake the boiled bagels for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they’re deep golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Let them cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing, and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Tips for the Best Results When You Make Bagels with a Bread Machine
Even though making bagels with a bread machine is straightforward, a few insider tips will elevate your bagels from good to absolutely incredible.
These little tricks address common issues like dense interiors, flat bagels, and crust problems.
Pay attention to these details early, and you’ll avoid disappointment later.
1. Use Bread Flour, Not All-Purpose
Bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, which is crucial for creating that chewy bagel texture.
When you make bagels with a bread machine, swap out all-purpose flour for bread flour to ensure a stronger gluten network.
The extra protein gives your bagels the right amount of bite and prevents them from turning out cakey or soft.
If you only have all-purpose flour on hand, you can still make bagels, but the texture will be noticeably less chewy.
2. Don’t Skip the Boiling Step
The boiling step is what makes a bagel a bagel, so don’t skip it even if you’re short on time.
Boiling the dough sets the crust and creates that dense, chewy interior that’s the hallmark of a great bagel.
If you skip boiling and just bake the dough rings, you’ll end up with bread rolls in the shape of bagels.
It’s a simple step that only takes a few minutes, and it makes a world of difference in the final texture.
3. Cold Proof for Extra Flavor (Optional)
For a more complex, tangy flavor, you can make bagels with a bread machine and then do a cold proof in the fridge.
After shaping the bagels, instead of the short 15-minute rest, cover them and place the baking sheet in the refrigerator overnight.
This slow fermentation develops a deeper, more traditional bagel flavor and an even better crust.
The next morning, take the bagels out, let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then proceed with boiling and baking.
It’s an easy extra step when you make bagels with a bread machine that rewards you with professional-level results.
So, How Do You Make Bagels with a Bread Machine?
You make bagels with a bread machine by letting the machine handle the dough, then shaping, boiling, and baking the bagels yourself in your oven.
This hybrid method is the easiest way to get fresh, chewy bagels at home without any complicated hand kneading.
The bread machine simplifies the process, while the boiling and baking steps ensure you get that authentic bagel texture and shine.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned baker, making bagels with a bread machine is a rewarding and delicious project.
So grab your bread machine, gather your ingredients, and enjoy the satisfaction of pulling a tray of perfect, homemade bagels out of your oven.