She Strengthens

The Ultimate Comfort Food: Homemade Bagels

As we navigate these unprecedented times, one thing has become abundantly clear: bread, in all its forms, is the ultimate comfort food. And what’s a variation of bread that’s just as beloved? Bagels, of course! With their distinctive chew and crispy crust, homemade bagels are a treat that’s easy to fall in love with.

A Simple Recipe for Homemade Bagels

Thanks to baker Nate Gualtieri, we have a straightforward recipe to make delicious bagels from the comfort of our own homes. With just a few ingredients and some patience, you can create a batch of 10 mouthwatering bagels in under 2.5 hours.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cups warm water (85–90°F or about 30°C)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon instant dry yeast
• 3 1/2 cups bread flour, plus extra for counter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
• Toppings (optional): flaky salt, black and white sesame seeds, egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water), or vegan butter

Let’s Get Started!

Step 1: Make a Shaggy Dough

Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a medium bowl. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, until it becomes puffy on top. In a separate, larger bowl, combine flour and kosher salt. Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and mix until the dough looks “shaggy.”

Step 2: Knead the Dough

Clear a square foot of counter space and knead the dough by hand for about 10 minutes, until it comes together and all the last bits of flour have been absorbed. Form the dough into a taut ball by tugging the bottom and tucking it under, then rolling the seam on an unfloured surface.

Step 3: Let it Rise

Coat the dough with olive or vegetable oil and place it seam side down in a large mixing bowl. Cover with a clean, damp towel or plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour, until it has doubled in size.

Step 4: Make the Balls

Sprinkle extra flour onto a clean counter and divide the dough into 10 equal pieces. Tuck the edges of each piece together to form a little ball, using your hands to roll the seam side down on an unfloured surface until each ball becomes taut.

Step 5: Boiling Time!

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and preheat your oven to 425°F (about 220°C). Shape each ball into a bagel by coating your thumb and forefinger in flour and pushing them through the center of each dough ball. Drop the bagels into boiling water and reduce heat to a simmer. Boil for 1–2 minutes, then flip and cook for another 1–2 minutes.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

Using tongs or a fork, remove the bagels from the water and place them back onto a lined sheet pan. Brush the tops with egg wash or melted vegan butter and sprinkle with desired toppings. Bake for 20 minutes, and voilà! Your homemade bagels are ready to be devoured.

About the Author

Nate Gualtieri is a writer and home baker behind The Kitchen Queer, a bakery pop-up that operates at venues around Los Angeles. You can find him on Instagram.