Perfect Sourdough Bagel Recipe

Chef Nora Benson

January 22, 2025

These homemade sourdough bagels are the perfect blend of tangy, chewy goodness. With a crisp exterior and soft, airy inside, they're ideal for breakfast or brunch. Plus, they’re easy to make, and totally worth the wait!

Close-up of freshly made Perfect Sourdough Bagel Recipe garnished and ready to serve

Let me tell you something—there’s nothing quite like a homemade sourdough bagel. Fresh from the oven, with a golden, crisp exterior and a soft, chewy interior, these bagels offer the perfect balance of tangy sourdough flavor and that quintessential bagel chew. Whether you're spreading it with cream cheese, making a sandwich, or just enjoying it on its own, this sourdough bagel recipe will make you appreciate the beauty of a well-crafted bagel like never before. Get ready to treat your taste buds to something special!

What is a Sourdough Bagel?

Sourdough bagels combine the best of two worlds: the tangy, slightly sour flavor of sourdough bread with the chewy, dense texture of a classic bagel. Unlike traditional bagels that rely on commercial yeast, sourdough bagels use a natural sourdough starter to provide leavening, giving them a more complex flavor and texture. The starter ferments the dough slowly, which is why the bagels have that signature tanginess, and it also contributes to the bagels' chewy texture.

Sourdough bagels are perfect for those who love the hearty, rich taste of sourdough bread but also want the iconic bagel experience. These bagels are ideal for any time of day: breakfast, brunch, or even as a snack. They’re a true labor of love, but trust me, the result is totally worth it. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, this recipe will guide you through the process step-by-step.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Sourdough Bagels

Making sourdough bagels requires just a few simple ingredients, but the key is using the right ones and allowing the dough to rise and ferment properly. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:

Sourdough Starter

The heart of any sourdough recipe is the starter. If you don’t have a sourdough starter already, you’ll need to create one ahead of time (or you can get some from a friend!). Your starter provides the natural yeast needed to make the dough rise, and it imparts that signature tang to the bagels. If you’re unsure about how to maintain a sourdough starter, check out my guide on how to maintain a healthy starter—it’s the key to a successful bake!

Bread Flour

Bread flour is essential in this recipe for its higher protein content, which gives the bagels their chewy, dense texture. All-purpose flour can work in a pinch, but bread flour really takes the texture to the next level.

Water

Water is necessary for hydrating the flour and activating the sourdough starter. Make sure your water is at room temperature—too hot or cold can interfere with the fermentation process.

Salt

Salt not only adds flavor to the dough but also helps control the fermentation process by slowing it down. Don’t skip this ingredient!

Honey or Sugar

A bit of sugar or honey helps feed the sourdough starter and encourages the dough to rise. It also adds a hint of sweetness to balance the tanginess of the sourdough.

Baking Soda (for boiling)

Before baking, bagels are boiled in water to create that signature chewy exterior. Adding a bit of baking soda to the boiling water helps enhance the color and texture of the bagels, making them even more delicious.

Toppings (optional)

While plain bagels are delicious, you can add toppings like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything bagel seasoning to give your bagels some extra flavor. This is totally optional, but definitely a fun way to get creative with your bagels.

Why You’ll Love Sourdough Bagels

What makes sourdough bagels so irresistible? It’s the perfect combination of texture and flavor. The long fermentation process of the sourdough starter gives these bagels a tangy flavor that’s more complex than your standard bagel. The chewy, dense interior is what makes sourdough bagels so satisfying, while the crisp, golden exterior gives them that bakery-quality crunch.

For me, there’s something so satisfying about making bagels from scratch. The process is slow, but it’s incredibly rewarding. Watching the dough rise, shaping it into perfect little rings, and then boiling and baking them—it’s an enjoyable, hands-on experience that makes you appreciate the art of baking.

Sourdough bagels are also incredibly versatile. You can enjoy them with classic toppings like cream cheese and smoked salmon, or get creative with fillings like scrambled eggs and avocado. The possibilities are endless, and the tangy flavor of the sourdough only enhances the toppings you choose.

The Best Times to Serve Sourdough Bagels

While sourdough bagels are delicious anytime, they’re particularly perfect for:

Weekend brunches: Nothing says "brunch" like a warm, homemade bagel. Serve them with your favorite spreads or use them to make a bagel sandwich.
Special occasions: Whether it’s a holiday breakfast or a celebration with friends, homemade sourdough bagels elevate any occasion.
Snack time: A freshly baked sourdough bagel is the perfect mid-afternoon snack. Pair it with a cup of coffee or tea for a comforting treat.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Sourdough Bagels

Now that you know what you’re working with, it’s time to get your hands dirty (in the best way possible!). Here’s a step-by-step guide to making sourdough bagels:

Step 1: Mix the Dough

Start by combining your sourdough starter, water, and honey in a large mixing bowl. Add the bread flour and salt, then stir until the dough comes together. You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook if you prefer, or simply knead by hand. Knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic, which usually takes about 10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes with a mixer.

Step 2: First Rise

Once your dough is ready, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise at room temperature for 6 to 8 hours, or until it’s doubled in size. If you’re short on time, you can place it in the fridge for a slower rise, which can add more flavor to the dough.

Step 3: Shape the Bagels

Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Divide the dough into 8-10 equal pieces, depending on how large you want your bagels. Shape each piece into a ball, then use your thumb to poke a hole through the center, gently stretching it into the classic bagel shape. Place the shaped bagels on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 4: Boil the Bagels

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add about 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Carefully lower each bagel into the water and boil for about 1 minute on each side. The bagels will puff up and become slightly firmer. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them back on the baking sheet.

Step 5: Bake

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Bake the bagels for 20-25 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Let them cool slightly before enjoying.

Top Tips for Perfect Sourdough Bagels

Use a strong sourdough starter: Your sourdough starter is key to the flavor and rise of your bagels. Make sure it’s active and bubbly before you start.
Boil before baking: The boiling step is essential for creating the chewy, dense texture of bagels. Don’t skip it!
Experiment with toppings: Get creative with your bagel toppings—everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, or even a sprinkle of cheese can elevate your bagels.
Let them cool: While it’s tempting to dive right in, let your bagels cool slightly before slicing to avoid squishing them.

Why This Recipe is Perfect for You

If you’ve always wanted to try making bagels at home but were intimidated by the process, this sourdough bagel recipe is the perfect place to start. It’s a rewarding, hands-on process that results in the most delicious bagels you’ll ever eat. The tangy, chewy bagels you’ll create will impress your friends and family—and you’ll probably never want to buy store-bought bagels again.

Sourdough bagels are a true crowd-pleaser, whether you're making them for a weekend brunch, a holiday spread, or just because you want a fresh, homemade treat. Once you taste your first bite of these warm, chewy bagels, you’ll be hooked. Enjoy!