If you have a soft spot for bagels that are warm, chewy, and bursting with cheesy goodness, you are in for a treat with this Cheese Bagels Recipe. It’s a delightful twist on a classic favorite that combines the rich sharpness of cheddar cheese right into the dough and as a golden topping. The cozy aroma while baking will have your kitchen smelling like a bakery, and the satisfying crunch on the outside paired with the tender, cheesy inside makes these bagels absolutely crave-worthy. Whether you’re making breakfast, a snack, or something special for guests, this Cheese Bagels Recipe will quickly become a beloved staple.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple yet essential to create the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and appearance in your cheese bagels. Each one plays a role in building that chewy crust, tender crumb, and unmistakable cheesy punch.
- Bread flour: Provides the strong gluten structure needed for that iconic bagel chew.
- Sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds a subtle touch of sweetness to balance the savory cheese.
- Instant yeast: The magic ingredient that helps your dough rise beautifully and develop flavor.
- Salt: Enhances the overall taste by balancing the sweetness and cheese’s richness.
- Warm water: Activates the yeast and helps bring the dough together perfectly.
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese: Adds rich, tangy cheese flavor throughout the dough and on top for a bubbly finish.
- Olive oil: Used to brush the bagels before baking to achieve a gorgeous golden crust.
- Optional toppings: Extra cheese, sesame seeds, or poppy seeds for added texture and flavor variety.
How to Make Cheese Bagels Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by combining bread flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add warm water while mixing to form a rough dough. Knead on a floured surface for about 8 to 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic—that’s when you know you’re on the right path. The kneading process is key to building that wonderful chewiness bagels are famous for.
Step 2: Incorporate the Cheese
Once your dough is well-kneaded, gently fold in 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. This step ensures the cheese is evenly distributed throughout every bite, giving you those delightful pockets of melty, savory flavor as you bake.
Step 3: Let the Dough Rise
Place your cheesy dough into a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size. It’s a patient wait, but this rise is what gives the bagels their soft interior and helps develop a depth of flavor.
Step 4: Shape the Bagels
After rising, punch down the dough gently to release air bubbles. Divide it into 8 equal portions and shape each into a tight ball. Then, poke a hole in the center of each ball and stretch it to create the classic bagel ring, about 2 inches across. Place these on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let them rest for 10 minutes to relax before boiling.
Step 5: Boil the Bagels
Bring a large pot of water to a gentle simmer. Boil the bagels in batches, cooking each side for about 1 minute. This step might seem unusual, but it’s essential for creating the bagel’s characteristic chewy crust. After boiling, transfer them back to the baking sheet.
Step 6: Add Toppings and Bake
Brush each bagel with olive oil for a golden finish, then sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top, pressing lightly so it sticks. Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes until the bagels are beautifully golden and the cheese topping is bubbling and slightly browned. Let them cool on a wire rack before enjoying.
How to Serve Cheese Bagels Recipe
Garnishes
While the cheese on top is delicious on its own, feel free to get creative with garnishes. A sprinkle of sesame or poppy seeds adds a lovely crunch and visual appeal, while a light dusting of freshly cracked black pepper can boost the savory notes. Even a few chopped chives or bits of crispy bacon can elevate your cheese bagels to the next level.
Side Dishes
Cheese bagels pair wonderfully with classic breakfast sides like scrambled eggs or a fresh fruit salad. They also make a fantastic base for hearty sandwiches with smoked turkey, crispy lettuce, and a smear of horseradish mayo. For lighter snacking, serve alongside a creamy tomato soup for dipping – comfort food at its finest.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your cheese bagels into a gourmet appetizer by slicing them thinly, toasting, and topping with cream cheese and smoked salmon or a dollop of herbed ricotta and roasted vegetables. For brunch, offer a spread of different cheeses, olives, and nuts, inviting everyone to build their own flavor combinations. Cheese bagels also make fun party snacks when cut into small rounds and served with assorted dips.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover cheese bagels, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to keep them fresh. For best texture, avoid refrigerating as it can dry them out.
Freezing
Cheese bagels freeze excellently. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil, then place in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature or reheat directly from frozen.
Reheating
To revive the bagels’ freshly-baked charm, reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes or toast slices lightly in a toaster oven. This brings back their crisp crust and melty cheese flavor like they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use other cheeses instead of cheddar in this Cheese Bagels Recipe?
Absolutely! Mozzarella, pepper jack, or even gouda make delightful substitutions, each offering a unique flavor and melt quality. Feel free to experiment to find your favorite cheesy twist.
Do I have to boil the bagels before baking?
Boiling is traditional and helps create the classic chewy texture and shiny crust characteristic of bagels. Skipping this step results in softer bread-like rolls, so boiling is definitely worth the effort.
Can I make the dough ahead of time and bake later?
Yes, you can prepare the dough the day before and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator overnight. Just bring it to room temperature before shaping, boiling, and baking the bagels.
What’s the best way to shape the holes in the bagels?
Make a hole by poking your finger through the dough ball and gently stretch it with both hands until about 2 inches wide. This ensures even baking and the classic bagel appearance.
Are these cheese bagels suitable for freezing and reheating?
Definitely! Freezing helps you enjoy fresh bagels any time, and reheating in the oven or toaster brings back their wonderful texture and melty cheese flavor.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly satisfying about pulling a tray of golden, cheesy bagels fresh from the oven, and this Cheese Bagels Recipe captures that joy perfectly. Easy to make yet impressive to serve, these bagels bring warmth and comfort to any table. I encourage you to give this recipe a try – your kitchen will smell divine, and your taste buds will thank you for every delicious bite.
Print
Cheese Bagels Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 bagels
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cheese Bagels Recipe features soft, chewy bagels baked with sharp cheddar cheese both inside the dough and melted on top. Perfect for breakfast or a snack, these homemade bagels combine a classic texture with rich cheesy flavor, enhanced by optional toppings like sesame seeds or poppy seeds. The recipe includes boiling the shaped bagels before baking to achieve that authentic bagel chewiness and golden crust.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 4 cups bread flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 ¼ cups warm water
Cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (1 cup for dough, ½ cup for topping)
Other
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing)
- Optional toppings: extra shredded cheese, sesame seeds, or poppy seeds
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Gradually add the warm water and mix until a dough begins to form. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Add Cheese to Dough: Gently knead in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, distributing it evenly throughout the dough.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Shape Bagels: Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball, then poke a hole in the center to create the classic bagel shape, stretching the hole to about 2 inches in diameter.
- Rest Bagels: Place the shaped bagels on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Boil Bagels: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and boil the bagels, 2-3 at a time, for about 1 minute on each side. Remove with a slotted spoon and place back on the baking sheet.
- Add Toppings: Brush each bagel with olive oil and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top, pressing lightly so it sticks. Add optional toppings if desired.
- Bake Bagels: Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Cool and Serve: Allow to cool on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
- For a different flavor, try using mozzarella or pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar.
- Add herbs like garlic powder, onion flakes, or dried oregano into the dough for extra aroma.
- For a softer crust, skip boiling the bagels and bake them directly, though boiling helps achieve the classic chewy texture.
