Easiest-ever Bagels (using pizza dough)
- Yield: 8 bagels
Ingredients
- 2 lb [910g] pizza dough, at room temperature
- 3 quarts [2.8 liters] water
- 2 Tbsp [30 g] baking soda*
- Toppings (optional): Sea salt, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, everything bagel mix, granulated onion
Instructions
- Shape your bagels: Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a log, then have each log eat its tail, then roll the joined part out to smooth the seam (see the video). Briefly set the shaped bagels aside while the water heats.**
- Place the water and baking soda in a dutch oven or another large, wide pot. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- While you wait for the water to boil, place toppings (if using) in wide bowls or plates. Cover a sheet pan with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 450°F [230°C].
- Once the water is boiling, drop in as many bagels as will fit in 1 layer with plenty of room between them. Let one side boil for 1 minute, flip, and let boil for 1 more minute on the other side. Remove with a slotted spoon to the prepared sheet pan.
- Before the bagels start to dry, dip one side of each bagel in the toppings, if using.
- Space the boiled bagels evenly on the pan.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until nicely browned and baked through. Cool completely before slicing or enjoying.
Notes
* I highly recommend measuring both your water and baking soda. The ratio of soda to water is actually important in getting the right level of browning. If you like your bagels as brown as the ones in these photos, use these exact ratios. If you like them a bit paler, scale back to 1 Tbsp baking soda (or just water it down with more water). If you like them pretzeley and super dark, add more baking soda.
** The timing here is actually important. They need about 15 to 20 minutes to rise slightly, but you don’t want the proof them as much as you would bread rolls or something fluffier. Bagels are supposed to be dense, not bready. So make sure you don’t let them sit out for too long before boiling and baking.
Video note: You can find the video in the introduction to this blog post. If you don’t see it after scrolling up, please disable ad block and reload the page.
Find it online: https://cardamomandtea.com/71599/easiest-ever-bagels/