13 Boiled Bagels Recipes Homemade Style
Nothing beats the chewy, shiny crust of a freshly boiled bagel straight from your own oven. I remember as a kid in Brooklyn, my dad would take me to the corner bagel shop every Sunday, where the air was thick with the scent of boiling dough and sesame seeds. Those hand-rolled, kettle-boiled beauties were a ritual—slathered in cream cheese and lox, they felt like pure comfort. Fast-forward to now, and I’ve been on a mission in my home kitchen to recreate that magic, experimenting with boil times, toppings, and flavors to nail the perfect homemade version.
Lately, I’ve been boiling up batches weekly, tweaking recipes for everything from sweet cinnamon swirls to spicy jalapeño kicks. In a world of mass-produced bagels that go stale in hours, homemade boiled ones stay fresh longer, let you control the ingredients (bye, preservatives!), and save a ton compared to store-bought. Whether you’re a bagel purist or love bold twists, these 13 recipes will have your kitchen smelling like a New York deli.
Classic Plain Boiled Bagels
For the purist, these simple boiled bagels deliver that iconic chewy interior and glossy exterior. Ingredients (makes 8): 4 cups bread flour, 1 tbsp instant yeast, 2 tsp salt, 1 tbsp sugar, 1.5 cups warm water, 1 tbsp baking soda for boiling. Mix dough, knead 10 mins, let rise 1 hour. Shape into balls, poke holes, boil 1 min per side in soda water, bake 425°F for 20 mins. Benefits: Versatile base for any topping, high-protein from bread flour for sustained energy, and no additives.
Everything Bagel Bliss
Loaded with “everything” seasoning, these bagels are a flavor bomb. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough as above, plus 2 tbsp each sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried onion, garlic flakes, salt. Prepare dough, boil as usual, roll in seasoning mix post-boil, bake 20 mins. Benefits: Antioxidant-rich seeds boost health, savory crunch elevates any schmear, perfect for avocado toast upgrades.
Sesame Seed Crunchers
Nutty sesame takes center stage for an addictive crunch. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough, 1/2 cup sesame seeds. Boil bagels, dip wet tops in seeds, bake until golden. Benefits: Sesame provides calcium and healthy fats for bone health, adds texture contrast to the soft chew, great for sesame lovers.
Poppy Seed Perfection
Classic poppy seeds for that subtle nutty pop. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough, 1/2 cup poppy seeds. Post-boil, generously top with seeds, bake. Benefits: Tiny seeds pack morphine-like pain relief (in trace amounts), visually stunning, pairs with fruit spreads.
Cinnamon Raisin Swirls
Sweet and fruity for breakfast bliss. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough + 1 cup raisins (soaked), 2 tbsp cinnamon sugar. Knead in raisins/cinnamon, boil, bake. Benefits: Fiber from raisins aids digestion, cozy cinnamon warms you up, kid-friendly treat.
Garlic Lover’s Delight
Bold roasted garlic infuses every bite. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough, 1 bulb roasted garlic (minced). Mix into dough, boil, top with garlic powder, bake. Benefits: Garlic boosts immunity with allicin, aromatic and satisfying for savory fans.
Onion Explosion Bagels
Dried onions for caramelized flavor without the tears. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough, 1/4 cup dried minced onion. Hydrate onions, add to dough or top post-boil, bake. Benefits: Onions support heart health with quercetin, deli-style taste at home.
Blueberry Burst Bagels
Fresh berries for a fruity twist. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough, 1 cup dried blueberries. Fold in berries, boil gently to avoid bursting, bake. Benefits: Antioxidants from blueberries fight inflammation, naturally sweet for lighter eating.
Chocolate Chip Dreamers
Indulgent chips for dessert bagels. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough, 1 cup mini chocolate chips. Mix in, boil, bake until chips melt slightly. Benefits: Mood-boosting chocolate endorphins, fun breakfast treat without guilt.
Jalapeño Cheddar Fireballs
Spicy cheese kick for the bold. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough, 1 cup shredded cheddar, 1/2 cup chopped jalapeños. Incorporate, boil, top with extra cheese, bake. Benefits: Capsaicin revs metabolism, protein-packed cheddar satisfies hunger.
Pesto Swirl Bagels
Herby pesto baked right in. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough, 1/2 cup basil pesto. Swirl into dough ropes before shaping, boil, bake. Benefits: Fresh herbs provide vitamins, Italian flair for gourmet sandwiches.
Whole Wheat Power Bagels
Healthier with nutty whole grains. Ingredients (makes 8): 2 cups whole wheat flour + 2 cups bread flour, rest as base. Boil longer (90 secs/side), bake. Benefits: Fiber for gut health, sustained energy without white flour crash.
Asiago Cheese Elegance
Sharp cheese for sophisticated chew. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough, 1 cup grated Asiago. Top generously post-boil, bake until bubbly. Benefits: Probiotic-like cheese cultures aid digestion, luxurious upgrade to plain.
There you have it—13 homemade boiled bagel recipes to boil up your baking game! Whether you’re channeling nostalgic deli vibes or experimenting with wild flavors, grab your pot and oven this weekend. Your first bite will hook you; share your twists in the comments and tag me in your creations!
