Name: Perfect Homemade Sourdough Bagels
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 10 h
Yield: 8 bagels
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup sourdough starter ((100 grams) ); 1 cup water ((240 grams)); 2 tablespoons honey ((22 grams)); 1.5 teaspoons fine sea salt ((10 grams)); 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour ((540 grams)); 2 quarts water; ¼ cup baking soda

There’s nothing quite like homemadesourdough bagelswith a chewy exterior and a soft, flavorful inside. Whether you’re enjoying them plain, with cream cheese, or as a sandwich base, these bagels are a fabulous way to use your sourdough starter.

pile of baked bagels on blue and white plate on wooden countertop.

You cancreate bakery-worthy bagelsin your kitchen with just a few simple ingredients. Plus, you can even customize them with your favorite toppings! Homemade bagels allow you tocustomize flavors and toppings to suit everyone’s preferences.

I especially love everything sourdough, so I thought I’d use mytrusty sourdough starterto make these bagels. They turned out perfectly crusty and chewy, just like my family likes them!

🍞🥖 New to sourdough? Find out how tomake your own sourdough starter here, find my mostpopular and basic bread recipe here, and search thesourdough archive here.

baked sourdough bagels on sheet pan on white countertop.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Chewy and Flavorful: These bagels have a wonderfully chewy texture with that distinct sourdough tang.
Simple Ingredients: With just a few pantry staples, you can whip up these delicious bagels.
Customizable: Add your favorite toppings—sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything seasoning
Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a batch of bagels at the start of the week, and you’ll have a ready-to-go breakfast or snack all week long!

Recipe Ingredients

Sourdough starter
Honey
Salt –I like to use fine sea salt.
All-purpose flour
Baking soda –Used when boiling the bagels

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Sourdough Bagels

sourdough bagel dough ingredients in clear bowl.

sourdough bagel dough in clear bowl on white countertop.

Step 1:Feed your sourdough starter 4-12 hours before making the dough.

Step 2:Combine the ingredients following the recipe card below in a stand mixer and knead with a dough hook until smooth and pliable.

unbaked bagels on white pan on white countertop.

Step 3:Transfer the dough to a non-metal bowl. Cover the dough with a wet tea towel, plastic wrap, or beeswax wrap. Let it ferment for 8 to 16 hours.

Step 4:Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and shape into bagels. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 4 hours or until puffy.

unbaked bagels on white pan on white countertop some bagels with seed topping.

Step 5:Boil bagels for 1 minute per side—see recipe card below. Add toppings, if desired.

Step 6:Place the bagels on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Recipe FAQs

Can I knead the dough by hand?

Yes! You can knead the dough by hand if you don’t have a stand mixer. It will take some elbow grease, but the results are just as delicious. Expect to knead for about 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.

How should I store the bagels?

Store your bagels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. You can also freeze them for up to a month. Just slice them before freezing, so you can pop them right into the toaster when needed.

Why do I need to boil the bagels?

Boiling the bagels before baking gives them their signature chewy texture and helps them keep their shape during baking. The addition of baking soda and sugar to the water helps develop a nice golden crust.

cut open bagel with two uncut bagels in background all on wood countertop.

Expert Tips

Handling the Dough: This dough can be stiff, especially during the first mixing step, so be patient. A stand mixer makes this process much easier.
Boiling for Chewy Texture: Boiling the bagels before baking gives them that classic chewy crust. Don’t skip this step!
Use Toppings: After boiling, dip the bagels in your favorite toppings for extra flavor and texture. Sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything seasoning are all great options.

close up image of baked sourdough bagels on sheet pan.

Bagel Topping Ideas

You can add toppings to your bagels to mix up the flavor profile! It’s best to add toppings while the bagels are still wet from boiling so everything sticks.

Everything Bagel Seasoning: A classic choice for bagel lovers!
Sesame Seeds: Lightly toasted and perfect for a simple yet flavorful bagel.
Poppy Seeds: Add a pop of flavor and texture to your bagels.
Cinnamon Sugar: For a sweet twist, coat your bagels with cinnamon sugar after boiling.
Cheese: For a savory touch add a handful of shredded cheese to the top of your bagels

Serve these sourdough bagels with cream cheese and butter for spreading and make somefruity homemade smoothiesto complete the meal.