11 Homemade Bagel Recipes for Breakfast

Nothing beats the chewy, satisfying bite of a fresh bagel straight from your own kitchen. I still remember Sunday mornings in my childhood home, where the air filled with the yeasty aroma of my mom’s homemade bagels boiling away on the stove. She’d recruit my siblings and me to sprinkle toppings, turning breakfast into a family ritual that made store-bought versions taste downright bland by comparison. Those dense, golden rings slathered with cream cheese were the highlight of the week.

Lately, I’ve been on a bagel-making binge in my tiny apartment kitchen, experimenting after a failed attempt at a bakery-style everything bagel that left me with a rock-hard disaster. But persistence paid off—now I can whip up a batch in under two hours, tweaking flavors to match my mood. With rising grocery costs and a desire for customizable, preservative-free eats, homemade bagels are my go-to for effortless breakfasts that feel indulgent.

In today’s fast-paced world, starting the day with a warm, homemade bagel isn’t just nostalgic—it’s a mindful act of self-care. These recipes are beginner-friendly, using pantry staples, and offer endless ways to fuel your mornings with whole grains, fruits, or savory twists.

Classic Plain Bagels

For the purist, these classic plain bagels deliver that signature chewiness without distractions. Ingredients (makes 8): 4 cups bread flour, 1 tbsp instant yeast, 2 tsp salt, 1 tbsp sugar, 1.5 cups warm water, 1 tbsp baking soda for boiling. Mix dry ingredients, add water to form dough, knead 10 minutes, let rise 1 hour. Shape into balls, poke holes, boil 1 minute per side, bake at 425°F for 20 minutes. They’re versatile for any topping, packed with complex carbs for sustained energy, and lower in sodium than store-bought.

These bagels shine with cream cheese or avocado, offering a blank canvas for breakfast creativity while being naturally vegan and easy to digest.

Everything Bagels

Loaded with seeds and spices, everything bagels bring bold flavor to your plate. Ingredients (makes 8): Use classic dough recipe, plus topping mix of 2 tbsp each sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried onion, garlic flakes, salt. Prepare dough as above, boil, then roll in toppings before baking. The crunchy crust contrasts the soft interior, providing omega-3s from seeds, antioxidants from onions and garlic for immune support.

Perfect for lox and cream cheese, these add a savory punch to kickstart your day with anti-inflammatory benefits.

Cinnamon Raisin Bagels

Sweet and spiced, these bagels evoke cozy mornings. Ingredients (makes 8): Classic dough + 1 cup raisins (plumped in hot water), 2 tbsp cinnamon sugar. Knead raisins and cinnamon into dough, rise, shape, boil, sprinkle cinnamon sugar post-boil, bake. Fiber from raisins aids digestion, while cinnamon stabilizes blood sugar for steady energy.

Toast with butter or peanut butter for a dessert-like breakfast that’s naturally sweet and satisfying.

Sesame Seed Bagels

Nutty and toasty, sesame bagels are a simple upgrade. Ingredients (makes 8): Classic dough, 1/4 cup sesame seeds for topping. After boiling, dip in seeds, bake. Sesame seeds offer healthy fats, calcium, and iron, boosting heart health and bone strength without overpowering the bagel’s chew.

Pair with almond butter for a protein-packed breakfast that feels gourmet.

Poppy Seed Bagels

These deliver a subtle crunch and classic appeal. Ingredients (makes 8): Classic dough, 1/4 cup poppy seeds. Boil, roll in seeds, bake. Poppy seeds provide magnesium for stress relief and fiber for gut health, making them ideal for a calming morning start.

Enjoy with smoked salmon for omega-3 synergy.

Blueberry Bagels

Bursting with fruit, these are breakfast bagels at heart. Ingredients (makes 8): Classic dough + 1 cup dried blueberries, 1 tsp lemon zest. Fold in berries during kneading, proceed as usual. Antioxidants from blueberries fight inflammation, paired with whole grains for a low-glycemic boost.

Top with yogurt for a parfait-style treat.

Chocolate Chip Bagels

Indulge without guilt in these sweet-savory hybrids. Ingredients (makes 8): Classic dough + 1 cup mini chocolate chips. Knead in chips, shape carefully to avoid melting during rise, boil briefly, bake at lower 400°F. Dark chocolate offers flavonoids for mood enhancement and heart health.

Warm with a smear of hazelnut spread for decadence.

Garlic Bagels

Savory and aromatic, perfect for egg sandwiches. Ingredients (makes 8): Classic dough + 2 tbsp garlic powder in dough, 1/4 cup minced dried garlic for topping. Knead in powder, top post-boil, bake. Garlic’s allicin supports immunity and digestion.

Layer with scrambled eggs for protein power.

Onion Bagels

Hearty and flavorful for bold mornings. Ingredients (makes 8): Classic dough + 1/2 cup minced dried onion in dough and for topping. Hydrate onions first, incorporate, boil, top, bake. Onions provide prebiotics for gut flora and quercetin for allergy relief.

Great with cheese and tomato.

Asiago Cheese Bagels

Cheesy and crisp, these elevate any breakfast. Ingredients (makes 8): Classic dough, 1 cup grated asiago cheese. Knead in half, top with rest post-boil, bake. Calcium and protein from cheese promote satiety and strong bones.

Melt with a fried egg inside.

Pumpkin Spice Bagels

Seasonal yet year-round cozy vibes. Ingredients (makes 8): 3.5 cups flour, 1 cup pumpkin puree, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, yeast/salt/sugar/water adjusted for puree. Knead, rise longer (1.5 hrs), boil, bake with spice sugar sprinkle. Pumpkin’s vitamin A boosts vision, spices aid metabolism.

Smear with maple cream cheese.

There you have it—11 ways to master homemade bagels that transform ordinary breakfasts into something special. Grab your apron, boil up a batch this weekend, and discover your favorite; your taste buds (and mornings) will thank you!