Homemade Sesame Bagels Recipe
Bread comes in all shapes and sizes, and one of our favorites is the classic bagel. There is just something about this inner tube-shaped, doughy bread that keeps bakers and bagel shops busy. With so many bagel varieties, it can be tricky to pick a favorite but Miriam Hahn, the recipe creator behind this homemade sesame bagel recipe, says that "Sesame bagels are my favorite because they're simple enough to support any type of topping, yet the nutty, toasted seeds add a subtle flavor that is unbeatable."
Hahn goes on to say that "Although homemade bagels take some heat for being labor intensive, they're actually pretty easy, and who doesn't like to poke holes through soft dough?" On the bread-making scale, we would score this as easier than making soft pretzels, but harder than making dinner rolls. Hahn remarks, "The best thing about making any type of bread [at home] is you know what's in it, and you can avoid preservatives."
Gather the ingredients for homemade sesame bagels
To make this homemade sesame bagel recipe, you will need some basic ingredients. Along with some warm water, you'll need sugar, instant yeast, all-purpose flour, salt, oil, an egg, and sesame seeds. Hahn says, "I love to use instant yeast in this recipe to speed things up, but if you don't have the instant type, you can use regular active dry yeast, and just wait 10 to 15 minutes for the yeast to activate in the first step." Hahn also notes, "If you avoid eating eggs, you can substitute any type of melted butter as a wash to help adhere the sesame seeds."
Make the dough
First, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Warm water is pretty critical here because, if it is too hot, it can deactivate the yeast. To see if the water is the right temperature, dip your finger in, and see if you can leave it in the water comfortably. You should see some bubbles in the yeast mixture, and at that point, combine your flour and salt in a separate bowl, and then mix it into the yeast mixture.
Add a little flour to a large surface, and knead the dough for 10 minutes. Form it into a ball, and place it in an oiled bowl, turning it on all sides so it gets coated in a thin layer of oil. Cover the bowl, and place it in a warm spot for 1 hour. Hahn says, "I often use my oven that is turned off for this, especially in the winter when there is a chill in the air."
Shape the dough
At this stage of the game, preheat the oven to 410 F. Divide the dough into 6 equal portions, and form them into a ball. Press your finger through the center of each ball to get the bagel hole started. Then, pick up the bagel and stretch out the inner hole by pulling the bagel sides. The center hole should be about 1 ½ to 2 inches in diameter.
Boil, bake, and serve the bagels
Bring a large pot of water to boil, and drop in 2 bagels at a time. Cook for 30 seconds on each side, then shake off the excess water, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush them with a beaten egg, followed by a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds. Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
Your mouth-watering bagels are ready to eat. Enjoy them plain, with butter, cream cheese, avocado, peanut butter, or your topping of choice. You may never buy store-bought bagels again.
- 1 cup warm water
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Small bubbles should appear on the top of the mixture.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the flour and salt, and slowly add it to the yeast mixture. When everything is combined, transfer the dough to a large cutting board that has been dusted with flour. Knead the dough for 10 minutes.
- Spread the oil throughout a clean bowl, and place the ball of dough inside, turning it so it gets coated with oil. Cover the bowl, and place in a warm spot for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 410 F.
- Divide the dough into 6 equal portions, and roll each into a ball. Press your finger into the center of each ball of dough to create a center hole. Then, pick up the dough and widen the hole until it is about 2 inches in diameter.
- Bring a large pot of water to boil, and drop in 2 bagels, and cook them for 30 minutes on each side. When they come out of the water, shake off the excess water, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Beat the egg in a small bowl and brush a coating of egg on each bagel. Then sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
| Calories per Serving | 290 |
| Total Fat | 3.6 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.6 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.0 g |
| Cholesterol | 26.7 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 55.2 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.4 g |
| Total Sugars | 6.4 g |
| Sodium | 280.2 mg |
| Protein | 8.4 g |
