Crispy-Chewy Everything Bagels with Homemade Seasoning

The allure of bakery-style bagels can now be recreated in your own kitchen. These Everything Bagels are delightfully chewy on the inside, with a crisp, golden crust and a savory coating of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, onion flakes, and flaked salt.

They’re perfect for breakfast or brunch, and even better when paired with your favorite spreads like cream cheese, smashed avocado, or smoked salmon. Making them from scratch might seem daunting, but this recipe is surprisingly simple — no professional experience required. You’ll be amazed at how satisfying and rewarding it is to bake your own bagels fresh from the oven.

Full Recipe:

For the Dough:

  • 4 grams active dry yeast

  • 250 grams water (lukewarm)

  • 450 grams all-purpose flour (divided)

  • 4 grams salt

  • 30 grams brown sugar (divided)

For the Everything Bagel Seasoning:

  • 4 grams white sesame seeds (½ tablespoon)

  • 4 grams black sesame seeds (½ tablespoon)

  • 4 grams poppy seeds (½ tablespoon)

  • 4 grams onion flakes (½ tablespoon)

  • 2 grams flaked salt (¼ teaspoon)

Directions:

  1. Make the Dough: In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in lukewarm water. Stir in 225 grams of the flour until fully combined. Cover and let sit at room temperature for 3 hours to autolyze.

  2. Add the remaining 225 grams of flour, salt, and 20 grams of the brown sugar. Mix thoroughly with a spatula until a shaggy dough forms.

  3. Transfer the dough to a clean surface and knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Let rest for 15 minutes.

  4. Shape the Bagels: Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Shape each into a ball. Use your index finger to poke a hole through the center and gently stretch to 1.5–2 inches.

  5. Place bagels on a parchment-lined baking tray, cover, and let rest for 20 minutes.

  6. Boil the Bagels: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the remaining 10 grams of brown sugar. Boil the bagels (3–4 at a time) for 1 minute per side.

  7. Apply Toppings: Combine the seasoning ingredients in a bowl. Dip the tops of wet bagels into the seasoning to coat.

  8. Bake: Place bagels (topping side up) back onto the baking sheet. Bake at 450°F (232°C) for 20 minutes until golden and crisp. Cool on a wire rack.

Prep Time: 15 minutes (+3 hours 35 minutes rise time) / Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes / Kcal: 235 kcal per bagel / Servings: 8

The Irresistible Allure of Everything Bagels

Bagels are more than just a breakfast staple—they’re a cultural icon with a rich heritage and growing global appeal. Among the many varieties available, everything bagels stand out as a fan favorite. Their robust, savory seasoning and chewy texture make them a top choice for breakfast sandwiches, midday snacks, and even dinner accompaniments.

Everything bagels are generously topped with a mix of white and black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried onion flakes, and flaked salt. This flavorful combination creates a delightful crunch and an explosion of umami in every bite. Making everything bagels at home allows you to customize the crustiness, chewiness, and flavor profile, resulting in a superior experience compared to most store-bought alternatives.

The Origin of the Everything Bagel

The exact origin of the everything bagel is still debated in the culinary world, with several New York bakers from the 1980s claiming credit. Regardless of its true creator, the concept was revolutionary. Instead of offering a bagel with just one topping, this new variety combined multiple savory seasonings in a single bite. This innovation quickly grew in popularity, eventually becoming a menu staple at delis and bakeries nationwide—and now globally.

What sets the everything bagel apart is its ingenious simplicity. By using ingredients that were already common bagel toppings, bakers avoided waste and created something entirely new. Today, this “everything” flavor profile is also used in chips, crackers, seasoning blends, and even dips.

Why Make Everything Bagels at Home?

While it’s convenient to grab a bag of prepackaged bagels from the store, nothing compares to the aroma and texture of homemade bagels. Freshly baked everything bagels have a deep golden crust, a rich, chewy center, and a more vibrant flavor than mass-produced options. By preparing them at home, you also have full control over the ingredients—perfect for anyone avoiding additives, preservatives, or unnecessary sugar.

Homemade bagels also allow for customization. Want a more garlicky flavor? Add minced garlic to the seasoning. Prefer more crunch? Increase the sesame seeds. You can even shape them smaller or larger based on your preference and use different flours like whole wheat or spelt for a nutritional boost.

Most surprisingly, the process isn’t as daunting as it may seem. Though there are a few distinct steps (including boiling the dough before baking), the hands-on time is relatively short, and the results are well worth the effort.

What Makes Everything Bagels Unique

Unlike plain or single-topping bagels, everything bagels offer a medley of flavors and textures. The bold aroma of toasted onions and garlic hits you immediately. The seeds—both black and white sesame—add a toasty richness, while the poppy seeds provide visual contrast and a nutty undertone. Flaked salt finishes it all off with a satisfying savory punch that enhances the dough’s natural yeastiness.

The textural contrast is another highlight. After boiling and baking, the bagel develops a crisp, slightly blistered exterior. The inside remains soft and chewy, the ideal texture that defines a proper bagel. The topping blend also creates little pockets of crunch and bursts of flavor across the surface.

The Science Behind Boiling Bagels

One defining step in bagel making is boiling the dough before baking. This isn’t just a quirky tradition—it plays a key role in the bagel’s final texture. Boiling gelatinizes the outer layer of the dough, locking in moisture and helping to create that chewy crust bagels are famous for.

In the case of everything bagels, the boiled surface also becomes slightly tacky, helping the seasoning stick without sliding off during baking. Adding sugar to the boiling water deepens the crust color through caramelization, giving that rich, bakery-style golden brown appearance.

The amount of time you boil the bagels also matters. A quick 60-second bath on each side is enough to set the crust and prevent excess rising in the oven, which results in a denser and chewier texture. Boiling too long, however, can toughen the crust excessively and make it overly chewy.

How to Customize Your Everything Bagel

The “everything” in everything bagel doesn’t mean you can’t tweak it to suit your taste. The seasoning blend can be adjusted in countless ways. Want some spice? Add red chili flakes or crushed peppercorns. Prefer a herby twist? Add dried rosemary or thyme.

You can also experiment with different sweet and savory pairings. For example, a touch of brown sugar or maple powder added to the dough can give the bagels a subtle sweetness that plays beautifully against the salty, garlicky topping.

Moreover, while this recipe yields eight standard-size bagels, you can portion the dough smaller to make mini bagels or sliders, or larger to make giant deli-style ones perfect for a loaded sandwich.

Serving Suggestions for Everything Bagels

Few foods are as versatile as the everything bagel. It works equally well as a base for savory breakfasts and satisfying lunches.

Breakfast ideas:

  • Spread with plain, whipped, or herbed cream cheese

  • Add sliced avocado, poached egg, and a handful of microgreens

  • Top with smoked salmon, capers, and red onion for a classic lox bagel

Lunch options:

  • Build a bagel sandwich with turkey, cheddar, tomato, and arugula

  • Use as a bun for veggie burgers or grilled chicken

  • Slice and toast into bagel chips for pairing with hummus or dips

You can also freeze the bagels for future use. Simply slice before freezing and reheat in the toaster when ready. This makes them ideal for meal prepping or keeping on hand for busy mornings.

Tips for First-Time Bagel Makers

If you’ve never made bagels at home, start with this recipe—it’s straightforward, forgiving, and yields consistently good results. Here are a few tips to help you succeed:

  • Use a kitchen scale: Precision is key in baking. Measuring your flour and water in grams ensures the correct dough consistency.

  • Knead until smooth: Don’t under-knead. The dough should feel elastic and no longer sticky before shaping.

  • Proof appropriately: Let the dough rise for the recommended time. The bagels should expand slightly (not double) before boiling.

  • Boil quickly: Limit to about a minute per side to get the best texture without over-chewing.

  • Use parchment paper: Prevents sticking during proofing and baking, making cleanup easier.

  • Let them cool: As tempting as it is to dive in, letting the bagels rest on a wire rack allows the crust to set and the steam to dissipate for best flavor.

Why This Recipe Stands Out

This everything bagel recipe balances tradition with simplicity. By using high-quality pantry staples and skipping overly complex techniques, it invites even beginner bakers to achieve impressive results. The dough is easy to handle, and the two-stage flour incorporation reduces the kneading time, making the process more approachable.

Additionally, the flavor is elevated by using a homemade seasoning blend rather than a store-bought mix. This ensures freshness, stronger aromas, and customization possibilities that elevate the bagel experience.

Whether you’re hosting brunch, meal prepping for the week, or just craving a better bagel than your grocery store can offer, this recipe delivers every time.

Conclusion

Everything bagels have earned their spot as a favorite for good reason: they’re hearty, flavorful, and adaptable. Making them at home not only guarantees better taste and texture, but it also opens the door to creativity in the kitchen.

This recipe strips away the intimidation factor, showing that artisan-level bagels are entirely achievable in a home kitchen. From the satisfying process of shaping the dough to the rewarding aroma of freshly baked bread, it’s a baking experience that connects you to food on a deeper level.

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