Homemade Sourdough Bagels
Chewy, Golden, and Better Than the Bakery
There’s nothing quite like a fresh sourdough bagel. With a crisp, shiny crust and a soft, chewy interior, these homemade bagels are perfect for breakfast, sandwiches, or simply toasted with butter and cream cheese. Using an active My Rustic Roots sourdough starter adds incredible flavor while creating the classic bagel texture everyone loves.
Ingredients
Dough
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500g bread flour
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275g warm water
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100g active sourdough starter
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10g salt
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20g honey or maple syrup
For Boiling
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2 quarts (2 liters) water
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1 tablespoon baking soda
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1 tablespoon honey
Optional Toppings
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Everything Bagel Seasoning
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Sesame Seeds
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Poppy Seeds
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Dried Onion
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Coarse Sea Salt
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Asiago Cheese
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Cinnamon Sugar (after baking)
Instructions
Step 1: Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, combine the water, sourdough starter, and honey until mostly dissolved.
Add the bread flour and salt. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Step 2: Knead
Knead for 8–10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
Step 3: Bulk Fermentation
Allow the dough to rise at room temperature for 6–8 hours, or until noticeably puffy (not necessarily doubled).
Step 4: Shape the Bagels
Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces (about 110g each).
Roll each into a smooth ball.
Poke a hole through the center with your thumb and gently stretch into a bagel shape.
Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 5: Cold Proof
Cover and refrigerate overnight (8–16 hours).
This develops the classic sourdough flavor and chewy texture.
Step 6: Boil
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
Bring water, baking soda, and honey to a gentle boil.
Boil each bagel for:
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30 seconds on the first side
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30 seconds on the second side
Remove with a slotted spoon.
Immediately add toppings while still wet.
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 22–28 minutes, or until deeply golden brown.
Cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing.
Serving Ideas
🥯 Classic cream cheese
🥑 Avocado & Everything Seasoning
🥓 Bacon, Egg & Cheese
🍓 Strawberry Cream Cheese
🧈 Butter & Honey
🥪 Turkey & Swiss
Storage
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze sliced bagels for up to 3 months and toast straight from frozen.
My Rustic Roots Tip 🌾
The secret to incredible sourdough bagels is the overnight cold proof. It creates a richer flavor, a chewier crumb, and that beautiful shiny crust after boiling.
Fresh, homemade bagels are worth the wait—and once you've made them yourself, you'll never look at store-bought bagels the same way!