Dessert

Famous Sourdough Bagels

A step-by-step guide to making sourdough bagels at home, covering mixing, bulk fermentation, shaping, boiling, and baking for a shiny, chewy crust. This beginner-friendly recipe uses sourdough discard.

🍳
16
Serves
2h 5m
Prep
20m
Cook

Ingredients

  • bread flour
  • sea salt
  • sugar
  • active dry yeast
  • sourdough starter discard
  • warm water
  • egg
  • everything bagel seasoning
  • cheddar cheese
  • pickled jalapeño slices
  • chocolate chips
  • blueberries
  • sugar

Method

  1. 1

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, sea salt, sugar, and active dry yeast.

  2. 2

    Pour in the sourdough starter discard and the warm water.

  3. 3

    Mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.

  4. 4

    Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and knead with your hands for about 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and cohesive.

  5. 5

    Place the dough back into the bowl and cover it tightly with plastic wrap.

  6. 6

    Let the dough rise in a warm place for 2 hours. A good spot is in the oven with only the oven light on. The dough should double in size.

  7. 7

    Lightly grease a clean work surface. Turn the risen dough out onto the surface.

  8. 8

    Gently fold and shape the dough into a log to create tension.

  9. 9

    Using a bench scraper or knife, divide the dough into 16 equal portions, each weighing about 137-138 grams.

  10. 10

    Take one portion of dough and roll it into a smooth ball.

  11. 11

    To shape the bagel, poke a hole through the center of the dough ball with your finger. Gently stretch the dough outwards to create the classic bagel shape.

  12. 12

    For bagels with fillings (like chocolate chips or jalapeño cheddar), flatten a dough portion, add the fillings to the center, and fold the dough over to enclose them completely before shaping into a bagel.

  13. 13

    Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons of sugar.

  14. 14

    Carefully place the shaped bagels into the boiling water. Do not overcrowd the pot. They are ready to be flipped when they float to the surface. Boil for about 1 minute per side.

  15. 15

    Using a slotted spoon, remove the bagels from the water, allowing excess water to drain off completely. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

  16. 16

    In a small bowl, whisk one egg to create an egg wash.

  17. 17

    Brush the tops of the boiled bagels with the egg wash.

  18. 18

    Add your desired toppings. For everything bagels, dip the top of the bagel into the seasoning. For jalapeño cheddar, sprinkle shredded cheese and place jalapeño slices on top.

  19. 19

    Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (218°C) for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

  20. 20

    Once baked, transfer the bagels to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy

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