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How to make flavored bagels is one of the most rewarding baking projects you can try at home.
Making flavored bagels at home is easier than you think.
You can make flavored bagels with ingredients you already have in your pantry.
In this post, we’ll cover how to make flavored bagels from scratch, the best flavor combinations, and pro tips for that chewy, bakery-style texture.
Let’s dive into the dough.
Why Making Flavored Bagels At Home Is Worth It
Making flavored bagels at home gives you total control over taste and texture.
When you make flavored bagels yourself, you skip the preservatives and artificial flavors found in store-bought versions.
Plus, you can make flavored bagels exactly the way you like them, whether that’s extra garlicky or loaded with cinnamon sugar.
Fresh bagels from the oven are a completely different experience, and making flavored bagels is a fun weekend project.
Here’s why you should try it.
1. Total Flavor Control
You decide exactly how much seasoning goes into your flavored bagels.
Store-bought flavored bagels often skimp on the good stuff, but homemade ones can be packed with flavor.
You can even mix multiple flavors together to create custom flavored bagels no bakery offers.
From spicy jalapeño cheddar to sweet blueberry, the possibilities are endless.
So if you’re wondering how to make flavored bagels, know that the flavor is the fun part.
2. Better Texture Than Store-Bought
The secret to a great bagel is a chewy crust and a dense, tender crumb.
When you make flavored bagels at home, you control the dough hydration and boiling time.
This means your flavored bagels will have that authentic New York-style bite.
You won’t get that from a grocery store bag, trust me.
Making flavored bagels from scratch is the only way to nail that texture.
3. It’s Actually Simple
You don’t need fancy equipment to make flavored bagels.
A mixing bowl, a pot of boiling water, and an oven are all you need.
The process is straightforward, and the dough is forgiving.
Once you learn how to make flavored bagels once, you’ll never go back to store-bought.
It’s a skill you’ll use for years.
How To Make Flavored Bagels: The Basic Dough
How to make flavored bagels all starts with a simple dough base.
This recipe for making flavored bagels uses basic pantry staples.
Here’s what you’ll need for the dough.
Ingredients For The Dough
You’ll need 4 cups of bread flour, which gives the best chew.
Add 1 ½ teaspoons of instant yeast and 1 ½ teaspoons of salt.
You’ll also need 1 ½ cups of warm water and 1 tablespoon of honey or malt syrup.
The honey isn’t for sweetness, it helps the crust brown.
Combine the flour, yeast, and salt in a large bowl.
Add the warm water and honey, then mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 ½ hours.
Once doubled in size, divide the dough into 8 equal pieces.
Roll each piece into a ball, poke a hole through the center, and stretch it into a bagel shape.
Now it’s time to add your flavors.
Best Flavors For Making Flavored Bagels
You can make flavored bagels using two methods: mixing ingredients into the dough or topping them before baking.
Both work great, and you can use both for maximum impact.
Here are some crowd-pleasing ideas for flavored bagels.
1. Everything Bagel Seasoning
This is the most popular way to make flavored bagels.
Before baking, brush the bagels with an egg wash.
Then press them into a mixture of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt.
These flavored bagels are perfect for sandwiches or with cream cheese.
You can make flavored bagels with everything seasoning on the outside and a plain, chewy interior.
It’s a classic for a reason.
2. Cinnamon Sugar Bagels
For sweet flavored bagels, add 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and 3 tablespoons of sugar to the dry flour mixture.
Mix it in before you add the water.
This method ensures the cinnamon flavor is baked all the way through.
After baking, you can brush the top with melted butter and dip in more cinnamon sugar.
These flavored bagels are a dessert-level treat.
They’re amazing toasted with butter or apple butter.
3. Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels
To make flavored bagels with a spicy kick, add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and ½ cup of finely diced jalapeños.
Fold these into the dough right before shaping the bagels.
The cheese melts into the dough, creating pockets of gooey goodness.
These flavored bagels are incredible for breakfast sandwiches.
Top them with extra cheese before baking for a crispy, cheesy crust.
4. Blueberry Bagels
For fruity flavored bagels, gently fold in 1 cup of dried blueberries into the dough.
Dried berries work better than fresh because they don’t release excess moisture.
Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to brighten up the flavor.
These flavored bagels are sweet and tangy, perfect with a schmear of plain cream cheese.
You can also add a little vanilla extract to the dough for extra depth.
5. Garlic Parmesan Bagels
Mix 3 cloves of roasted garlic and ½ cup of grated parmesan into the dough.
Roasted garlic is mellow and sweet, so it won’t overpower the bagel.
Before baking, sprinkle the tops with more parmesan and a pinch of black pepper.
These flavored bagels are savory, nutty, and addictive.
They’re especially good for making garlic bread-style bagels.
How To Boil And Bake Flavored Bagels
The boiling step is what gives your flavored bagels that shiny, chewy crust.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon of baking soda.
Boiling the bagels for 30 seconds on each side sets the crust.
For chewier flavored bagels, boil for 1 minute per side.
Carefully remove them with a slotted spoon and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
If you added toppings, now is the time to press them on.
Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Let them cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
Your flavored bagels will be crisp on the outside and soft inside.
So, How To Make Flavored Bagels Like A Pro?
How to make flavored bagels is all about technique and patience.
To make flavored bagels successfully, you can mix flavors into the dough or press them on top.
You can make flavored bagels with sweet, savory, or spicy add-ins.
The boiling step is essential for that authentic chewy texture.
And the baking time ensures a golden, crisp exterior.
Once you master how to make flavored bagels, you’ll be making them every week.
So go ahead, preheat your oven, and enjoy the process of making flavored bagels at home.
Your kitchen is about to smell amazing.