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The Best Sourdough Bagels

The Best Sourdough Bagels: 5 Secrets to Perfect Flavor


  • Author: Elizabeth R. Ehlers
  • Total Time: 9 hours 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8 bagels 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

The Best Sourdough Bagels are chewy and airy, made with a bubbly starter and boiled for a perfect crust.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 150 g active, bubbly sourdough starter
  • 250 g warm water
  • 500 g bread flour
  • 40 g sugar
  • 11 g salt
  • 20 g honey (for boiling water bath)
  • Optional Toppings:
  • Everything Bagel Seasoning (sesame seeds, onion, garlic, sea salt)
  • Poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic flakes, onion flakes
  • Cheese (Asiago recommended)
  • Cinnamon Crunch (brown sugar, white sugar, coarse sugar, cinnamon, flour, vanilla, butter)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix 150 g starter, 250 g warm water, and 40 g sugar until it forms a milky liquid. Add 500 g bread flour and 11 g salt. Mix until incorporated.
  2. Knead by hand for 5–6 minutes. Cover the bowl and rest for 60 minutes.
  3. After resting, knead/stretch the dough for 30 seconds to smooth it. Cover and place in a warm area for bulk rise until doubled (8–12 hours).
  4. Remove dough and form a rectangle about ½ inch high. Cut into 8 triangles. Roll each triangle into a smooth ball and poke a hole in the center of each ball.
  5. Place shaped bagels on parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a damp towel and rest 20–60 minutes.
  6. Preheat oven to 425°F. In a large pot, bring water and 20 g honey to a boil. Boil 2–3 bagels at a time for 30 seconds per side.
  7. Sprinkle toppings on a plate. Dip tops of boiled bagels to adhere.
  8. Bake bagels for 20–25 minutes until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

Notes

  • Baking Schedule: 8 PM: Make & knead dough. Rest 1 hour. 9 PM: Stretch & fold. Cover overnight. 7 AM: Shape bagels. Rest 20–60 minutes. 8 AM: Boil & bake.
  • Other Ways to Enjoy: Bagel chips, egg sandwiches, burger buns, mini bagel bites.
  • Storage: Store at room temp for 2–3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Prep Time: 60 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Bakery
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bagel
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 250 mg
  • Fat: 1 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 10 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Keywords: sourdough, bagels, homemade, baking