11 Homemade Bagel Recipes for Breakfast

Nothing beats the chewy, golden perfection of a fresh bagel straight from the oven, especially on a lazy weekend morning. I still remember my childhood Sundays in Brooklyn, where my dad would trek to the corner deli for a dozen warm bagels slathered with cream cheese and lox. Those rituals sparked my lifelong love affair with bagels—their glossy crust, dense crumb, and endless topping possibilities made every bite a celebration.

Fast forward to last year, when I dove headfirst into homemade bagel experiments during lockdown. What started as a rainy-day project turned into weekly kitchen sessions, tweaking dough recipes and boiling techniques until I nailed that authentic New York chew. The best part? Customizing flavors to match my mood, from sweet swirls to savory bursts, all without leaving the house.

In today’s busy world, homemade bagels are a game-changer for breakfast. They’re healthier than store-bought (no preservatives!), endlessly versatile, and a fun way to impress brunch guests. Ready to boil and bake your way to bagel bliss? Dive into these 11 recipes!

Classic New York-Style Bagels

These timeless bagels capture the essence of the Big Apple with their shiny exterior and chewy interior. Ingredients (makes 8): 4 cups bread flour, 1 tbsp instant yeast, 2 tsp salt, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 1/4 cups warm water, 1 tbsp baking soda for boiling. Mix dough ingredients, knead 10 minutes, let rise 1 hour. Divide into 8 balls, poke holes, boil 1 minute per side in soda water, bake at 450°F for 20 minutes.
Perfect for purists, they’re versatile for any topping and provide sustained energy from complex carbs—ideal for starting your day right.
A close-up photo of a freshly baked classic bagel split open with steam rising, topped with cream cheese, under soft lighting.

Everything Bagel Bliss

Loaded with seeds and spices, these bagels are a flavor explosion. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough as above, plus everything bagel seasoning (sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, onion, salt). Prepare dough, shape, boil, then generously sprinkle seasoning before baking.
The crunchy topping adds texture and nutrients like healthy fats from seeds, making them a satisfying, savory breakfast that keeps hunger at bay.
A close-up photo of an everything bagel halved and toasted, seeds glistening, with a schmear of cream cheese, under soft lighting.

Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Bagels

Sweet and nostalgic, these bagels swirl cinnamon and plump raisins into every bite. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough, 1/2 cup raisins (soaked), 2 tbsp cinnamon sugar. Knead raisins and cinnamon into dough, shape with swirl, boil, bake.
A comforting treat with antioxidants from raisins and blood-sugar-stabilizing cinnamon—great for a cozy morning boost without the crash.
A close-up photo of a cinnamon raisin bagel sliced to show the swirl, dusted with powdered sugar, under soft lighting.

Fresh Blueberry Bagels

Bursting with juicy blueberries, these are like breakfast muffin meets bagel. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough, 1 cup fresh or dried blueberries. Fold berries into dough gently to avoid bruising, shape, boil briefly, bake.
Packed with fiber and antioxidants from blueberries, they offer a fruity, low-glycemic alternative to sugary pastries.
A close-up photo of a blueberry bagel with purple-speckled crumb, fresh berries scattered around, under soft lighting.

Toasted Sesame Bagels

Nutty and crisp, sesame seeds elevate these simple stunners. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough, 1/4 cup sesame seeds. After boiling, roll tops in seeds, bake.
Sesame seeds provide calcium and healthy fats for bone health and satiety, turning a basic bagel into a nutrient powerhouse.
A close-up photo of a sesame bagel with golden seeds, sliced and showing chewy interior, under soft lighting.

Poppy Seed Perfection Bagels

Iconic and addictive, with that signature crunch. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough, 1/4 cup poppy seeds. Boil, dip in seeds, bake until poppy-flecked crust shines.
Poppies add subtle nuttiness and trace minerals like magnesium for stress relief—perfect for a calming breakfast ritual.
A close-up photo of a poppy seed bagel, seeds densely coating the top, paired with lox, under soft lighting.

Garlic Lover’s Bagels

Bold and aromatic, for those who crave savory punch. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough, 2 tbsp dried minced garlic, 1 tsp onion powder. Mix into dough or top pre-bake.
Garlic’s allicin boosts immunity and flavor without calories, making these a hearty, flavorful start to cold mornings.
A close-up photo of a garlic bagel with flaky golden crust, steam visible, under soft lighting.

Caramelized Onion Bagels

Sweet-savory depth from slow-cooked onions. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough, 1 cup caramelized onions (sauté sliced onions low and slow). Fold onions in, shape, boil, bake.
Onions offer prebiotics for gut health, and the caramelization adds natural sweetness for balanced breakfast bliss.
A close-up photo of a caramelized onion bagel cut open, revealing moist onion flecks, under soft lighting.

Asiago Cheese Bagels

Gooey, cheesy indulgence with sharp Italian flair. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough, 1/2 cup grated Asiago cheese. Sprinkle heavily post-boil, bake until melted and crisp.
Cheese provides protein and calcium for muscle repair, elevating your bagel into a more filling, cafe-worthy meal.
A close-up photo of an Asiago cheese bagel with bubbly, browned cheese crust, halved to show melt, under soft lighting.

Chocolate Chip Breakfast Bagels

A decadent twist for sweet tooths at breakfast. Ingredients (makes 8): Base dough, 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips. Knead chips in, chill dough to prevent melting, boil, bake.
Dark chips offer antioxidants like a treat disguised as breakfast—indulgent yet portion-controlled for happy mornings.
A close-up photo of a chocolate chip bagel with gooey chips oozing out, powdered sugar dusting, under soft lighting.

Multigrain Healthy Bagels

Wholesome and hearty with seeds and grains. Ingredients (makes 8): 2 cups bread flour + 2 cups whole wheat/multigrain flour, base yeast/salt/sugar/water, mixed seeds for topping. Knead, rise longer (1.5 hrs), boil, top with seeds, bake.
High in fiber and whole grains for digestion and steady energy—your guilt-free way to fuel the day.
A close-up photo of a multigrain bagel topped with oats and seeds, sliced to reveal hearty texture, under soft lighting.

There you have it—11 ways to master homemade bagels that will transform your breakfast routine. Grab your apron, fire up the oven, and experiment with these recipes this weekend. Your taste buds (and family) will thank you! Which one will you try first? Share in the comments below.

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