Your sourdough bagels are flat because they’re not getting enough structure or spring during the baking process.   It’s a super common problem, and honestly, flat sourdough bagels happen to just about every home baker at some point.   Your bagels might be flat because the dough is too slack, your starter is weak, or … Read more

Your homemade bagels are wrinkled because of a few specific culprits that are actually quite easy to fix once you know what they are.   If you’ve been staring at a batch of homemade bagels with wrinkled skin and wondering where you went wrong, you’re in the right place.   Wrinkled homemade bagels are a … Read more

Your homemade bagels are tough because of a handful of common mistakes, usually involving dough hydration, over-kneading, or the boiling process. But here’s the good news: once you identify the culprit, you can fix it fast. If you’ve been pulling rock-hard or chewy-in-a-bad-way bagels out of your oven, you’re not alone. Many home bakers struggle … Read more

Your homemade bagels are flat because of a handful of very specific dough-handling mistakes and proofing missteps.   If you’ve been wondering why are my homemade bagels flat, the answer usually comes down to gluten development, shaping technique, or how you manage the boil and bake.   The good news is that once you identify … Read more

Your homemade bagels are chewy because of a combination of gluten development, cooking method, and specific ingredients that create that dense, satisfying bite. If you’ve been asking yourself why are my homemade bagels chewy, you’re actually likely doing something right, because a good bagel should have a distinct chew.   However, there’s a fine line … Read more

Your bagels are wrinkled for a few very specific reasons, and it’s a problem many home bakers face.   Wrinkled bagels happen when the crust forms before the inside has finished expanding, or when the bagel loses moisture too quickly after boiling.   It’s not a sign that your bagels are ruined, but it does … Read more