Homemade Sesame & Everything Bagels

Have you ever wondered whether you could make homemade bagels? I’m here to tell you that you can, and that it’s actually quite simple! These homemade bagels contain simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry, and can be seasoned with your favourite seeds and spices, such as sesame seeds, everything seasoning, poppy seeds, and more (or even just left plain!). 

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Servings: 8 bagels

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp white sugar
• 1 2/3 cups warm water
• 4 cups white flour
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp oil (I used olive oil)

Toppings

• 1 1/2 tbsp plant milk (I used oat milk)
• Everything bagel seasoning
• Sesame seeds

Equipment

• Small pot
• Baking sheets

Instructions

1. Add yeast, sugar and warm water to a mixing bowl and let sit for 5-10 minutes until yeast has activated (it will look foamy).
2. Add flour, salt and oil to the mixing bowl, mixing with a fork then with your hands until the dough forms a nice ball. If your dough feels dry, you can add 1-2 tbsp water.
3. Preheat oven to 425F.
4. Fill a small pot with water and turn it on high heat (we will quickly boil the bagels before baking them).
5. Cut the dough into 8 pieces, then form each piece into a ball and flatten (it should be about 1 inch thick). Poke a hole in the middle of each bagel with a wooden spoon, then slightly stretch the hole with your fingers until it’s about 1-1 1/2 inches thick.
6. Once the water has come to a boil, add one of the bagels into the boiling water for 30 seconds. Then, use a slotted spoon to flip it over, leaving it for another 30 seconds before removing it from the boiling water. Repeat with each bagel.
7. Add all of the boiled bagels to 2 lined baking sheets.
8. Brush each bagel with plant milk, then season as you wish by sprinkling seeds/spices on top of each bagel. I seasoned half with everything seasoning and the other half with sesame seeds.
9. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until each bagel is golden brown on top. If you are placing the baking sheets on separate levels, swap levels halfway through, after about 9 minutes of baking.
10. Store in a sealed bag and enjoy!