Homemade Sourdough Bagels Recipe

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A Delicious Journey to Perfect Bagels

There’s nothing quite like a homemade sourdough bagel, with its chewy texture, crisp crust, and rich flavor.

Making sourdough bagels at home might seem intimidating, but with a little patience and the right technique, you can enjoy these delightful treats fresh from your own oven.

This recipe will guide you through each step, ensuring you achieve bagel perfection.

Ingredients

For the Sourdough Starter:

• 1/4 cup sourdough starter
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

For the Dough:

• 1 cup sourdough starter (fed and bubbly)
• 3 1/2 cups bread flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt

For Boiling:

• 2 quarts water
• 2 tablespoons honey or sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking soda

For Topping:

• Sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything bagel seasoning

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Sourdough Starter

1. Feed the Starter: Mix 1/4 cup sourdough starter with 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour. Let it sit at room temperature for 4-8 hours until bubbly and active.

Step 2: Make the Dough

1. Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the fed sourdough starter, bread flour, water, honey (or sugar), and salt. Mix until a rough dough forms.
2. Knead the Dough: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise at room temperature for 4-6 hours or until doubled in size.

Step 3: Shape the Bagels

1. Divide and Shape: Divide the dough into 8-10 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball, then use your thumb to poke a hole in the center and gently stretch to form a bagel shape.
2. Second Rise: Place the shaped bagels on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 1-2 hours, or until puffy.

Step 4: Boil the Bagels

1. Prepare Boiling Solution: In a large pot, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add honey (or sugar) and baking soda.
2. Boil the Bagels: Carefully lower each bagel into the boiling water. Boil for 1 minute on each side, then remove with a slotted spoon and return to the baking sheet.

Step 5: Bake the Bagels

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Add Toppings: If desired, sprinkle sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything bagel seasoning on top of the boiled bagels.
3. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.

Step 6: Enjoy!

1. Cool and Serve: Let the bagels cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving. Enjoy your homemade sourdough bagels with your favorite toppings, such as cream cheese, butter, or smoked salmon.

Tips for Perfect Sourdough Bagels

• Active Starter: Ensure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly before using it in the recipe. This will give your bagels the best rise and flavor.
• Kneading: Proper kneading develops the gluten, which is crucial for the bagel’s chewy texture.
• Boiling: Boiling the bagels before baking gives them their characteristic chewy crust. Adding honey or baking soda to the water enhances the crust’s flavor and texture.
• Resting Time: Allowing the dough to rise twice ensures that the bagels are light and airy inside.

Making homemade sourdough bagels is a rewarding process that results in delicious, bakery-quality bagels right from your kitchen.

With just a few ingredients and some patience, you can create bagels that are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a snack. Try this recipe, and enjoy the rich, tangy flavor of sourdough bagels fresh from your oven.

Happy baking!

Enjoy this easy video tutorial about Sourdough Bagels

Source: Farmhouse on Boone

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