How to Make Sourdough Bagels

Learn how to make these homemade sourdough bagels with this detailed recipe!

 Ingredients:

•Bread Flour •Rye Flour (or whole wheat flour) •Water •Sourdough Starter •Salt •Barley Malt Syrup (preferred, or molasses or honey) •Toppings of your choosing

1. Mix the Bagel Dough

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment (or by hand), mix together the flours, salt, sourdough starter, water, and barley malt syrup.

Continue Mixing

At first the dough will be stiff and dry. But continue mixing for about 10 minutes until the dough passes the windowpane test.

2. Bulk Fermentation

Place the bagel dough in a bowl, cover, and put in a warm location to bulk ferment for 4-5 hours until doubled in size.

3. Overnight Proof

Move the dough to the refrigerator to proof overnight and up to two days. The overnight proof will improve flavor, let you bake on your own schedule, and makes shaping easier.

4. Preshape the Bagels

On baking day, divide the dough into eight equal-sized pieces. Use the palm of your hand to roll the pieces into dough balls and let them rest for 10 minutes.

5. Shape the Bagels

Roll the dough balls into tapered ropes. Connect and overlap the ends of the ropes over your hands and fuse them together to create a bagel shape.

6. Final Proof

Place the bagels onto a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper and dusted with cornmeal to prevent sticking. Proof for 4-5 hours until doubled in size.

7. Boil the Bagels

To achieve a chewy crust, boil the bagels in boiling water with more barley malt syrup on each side for 45 seconds.

8. Toppings

Add your toppings to small plates or bowls and dip the bagels into the toppings. My favorite toppings including everything bagel seasoning, poppy, and sesame seeds.

9. Bake

Bake at 450ºF (232ºC) for 20-25 minutes until the bagels are down brown. Check halfway through to ensure your toppings don't burn and cover with aluminum foil if needed.

Enjoy!

These bagels store and freeze well! Enjoy them with your favorite toppings, as bagel sandwiches, with cream cheese, or plain.

Learn more!

Get the full recipe by clicking the link below! The recipe includes a how-to guide with photos and detailed instructions.