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
Scale
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.
