You do not have to keep bagels refrigerated, and in fact, refrigeration is one of the worst things you can do to them.   If you’ve ever wondered whether you have to keep bagels refrigerated to keep them fresh, the short answer is a firm no.   Keeping bagels refrigerated will actually make them go … Read more

You do have to egg wash bagels before baking them if you want that classic shiny, golden-brown crust that everyone loves.   That said, egg washing bagels isn’t strictly mandatory, and some bagel makers skip it entirely for a more matte, rustic look.   The decision to egg wash bagels comes down to the texture, … Read more

Do you have to boil bagels in baking soda? You don’t have to boil bagels in baking soda, but doing so is the secret to that shiny, chewy, and deeply golden crust you expect from a true bagel.   While there are alternative methods, the baking soda bath is a classic move that home bakers … Read more

You do have to boil bagels before baking because that crucial step is what gives them their signature shiny crust and chewy interior. Boiling bagels before baking isn’t just a traditional technique passed down through generations, it’s the very thing that separates a true bagel from a round piece of bread with a hole.   … Read more

You absolutely can boil bagels in baking soda water, and it’s one of the most popular methods for achieving that classic, shiny, chewy texture at home.   Boiling bagels in baking soda water is a simple trick that mimics the traditional lye bath used by professional bakeries, but with ingredients you already have in your … Read more

Yes, you should add baking soda to bagel water, and it’s a game-changer for achieving that iconic, shiny, chewy crust.   Adding baking soda to bagel water is one of the simplest tricks home bakers use to mimic the results of professional bagel shops.   If you’ve ever wondered whether you add baking soda to … Read more