Steven M

Bagel dough does need to be refrigerated, but not always right away.   The answer depends on the recipe, the yeast, and how you plan to use the dough.   If you’ve ever wondered whether bagel dough needs refrigeration for flavor, texture, or safety, you’re in the right place.   In this post, we’ll break … Read more

You do have to keep bagels refrigerated, but only if you want to keep them fresh for more than a day or two.   If you’ve ever wondered whether you have to keep bagels refrigerated, the short answer is yes, but there’s a catch.   Keeping bagels refrigerated is the best way to prevent mold … Read more

You don’t *have* to egg wash bagels, but it’s a step you’ll rarely want to skip.   Egg washing bagels is the classic technique that gives them that shiny, deep-brown, professional bakery look and a slightly chewy, glossy crust.   If you’re wondering if you have to egg wash bagels before baking, the short answer … Read more

You have to boil bagels before baking because that’s the essential step that gives them their signature chewy texture and shiny, blistered crust.   Without that quick bath in boiling water, you’d end up with something closer to a dense bread roll, not a true bagel.   If you’ve ever wondered whether you have to … Read more

You don’t have to boil bagels in baking soda, but it’s one of the best ways to get that classic, glossy, chewy texture.   Boiling bagels in baking soda is a traditional step that many home bakers swear by, but it’s not the only option available.   If you’ve been asking, do you have to … Read more

Yes, you absolutely do boil bagels in baking soda water, and it’s one of the most important steps for getting that signature chewy crust and glossy finish.   Boiling bagels in baking soda water is a classic technique that home bakers and pros alike swear by, because it gives the dough a quick bath that … Read more

Do plain bagels have sugar?   Yes, plain bagels have sugar, but usually only a small amount.   Most traditional plain bagel recipes include a touch of sugar or malt syrup to feed the yeast and help the crust brown beautifully.   So if you’ve ever wondered if plain bagels have sugar hiding in that … Read more

Yes, you can add baking soda to bagel water, and many professional bagel makers swear by it. When you add baking soda to bagel water, it creates that signature shiny, deeply browned crust that makes bagels so irresistible. If you’ve been wondering whether you should add baking soda to bagel water, the answer is a … Read more

Do plain bagels have fiber, and is that fiber enough to make a real difference in your daily intake? Plain bagels do have fiber, but the amount is often lower than you might expect for something so substantial and doughy. A standard medium-sized plain bagel typically contains between 2 and 3 grams of fiber, which … Read more

Plain bagels do not have eggs, and they never have.   If you’ve been scratching your head wondering if plain bagels have eggs hiding in the dough, you can breathe easy because they don’t.   Do plain bagels have eggs? The short answer is no, plain bagels are made without eggs, and that’s precisely what … Read more