How To Make Bagels In A Bread Maker

You can make bagels in a bread maker, and it’s one of the easiest ways to enjoy fresh, chewy bagels at home without any complicated kneading.
 
Using a bread maker to make bagels simplifies the entire process because the machine handles the mixing, kneading, and first rise for you.
 
If you’ve ever wondered how to make bagels in a bread maker, you’ll be happy to know that the dough comes together perfectly in the machine, and then you just shape, boil, and bake them like traditional bagels.
 
In this post, we’ll walk you through the exact steps on how to make bagels in a bread maker, including the best dough cycle, shaping tips, and the all-important boiling step that gives bagels their signature chewy crust.
 
Let’s dive in and get those bagels rising.
 

Why You Can Make Bagels in a Bread Maker

You can absolutely make bagels in a bread maker because the machine is designed to develop gluten, which is the key to that dense, chewy texture bagels are famous for.
 
The bread maker kneads the dough more thoroughly and consistently than most people can by hand, which means your bagel dough will be smooth, elastic, and ready to shape.
 
When you make bagels in a bread maker, you also save time because the dough cycle does the hard work while you prepare your boiling pot and preheat the oven.
 
Here’s what makes the bread maker so effective for bagel dough:
 

1. The Dough Cycle Is Perfect for Bagel Dough

The dough cycle on your bread maker mixes, kneads, and lets the dough rise in one go, which is exactly what you need when you make bagels in a bread maker.
 
Most dough cycles run for about 1.5 hours, giving the gluten plenty of time to develop that strong, springy structure.
 
You don’t need to watch the machine or adjust anything because it’s all automated, so you can walk away and do other things.
 
Just make sure you use the right ratio of flour to liquid, and your bread maker will turn out perfect bagel dough every single time.
 

2. Consistent Kneading Creates the Chewy Texture

The chewy texture of a bagel comes from well-developed gluten, and the bread maker provides consistent kneading action that’s hard to replicate by hand.
 
When you make bagels in a bread maker, the machine works the dough for the optimal amount of time, creating a tight, smooth dough that holds its shape well.
 
This is crucial because bagel dough needs to be stiff and slightly dry, not sticky and slack.
 
The bread maker’s kneading paddle ensures every bit of flour gets hydrated and integrated, so you don’t end up with dry patches or an uneven crumb.
 

3. The First Rise Happens Right in the Machine

Another reason you can make bagels in a bread maker is that the machine controls the temperature for the first rise.
 
The dough cycle ends with a gentle warm rise that lets the yeast activate and the dough puff up slightly, but not too much.
 
This is important because bagel dough shouldn’t double in size like bread dough does; it should just get slightly airy.
 
Your bread maker handles this delicate balance automatically, so you don’t have to worry about over-proofing your bagels before you shape them.
 
Now that you know why the bread maker is your friend here, let’s get into the actual steps for how to make bagels in a bread maker.
 

How to Make Bagels in a Bread Maker: Step-by-Step

When you decide to make bagels in a bread maker, you’re committing to about two and a half hours of total time, but most of it is hands-off.
 
Here’s the complete process from start to finish.
 

1. Gather Your Bagel Ingredients

To make bagels in a bread maker, you’ll need some basic pantry staples.
 
You’ll need 1.5 cups of warm water, 3.5 cups of bread flour, 2 teaspoons of instant yeast, 1.5 teaspoons of salt, and 1 tablespoon of sugar or barley malt syrup for the dough.
 
For the boiling step, you’ll need a large pot of water and about 2 tablespoons of honey or barley malt syrup to add to the water.
 
You’ll also need cornmeal or semolina for dusting your baking sheet to prevent sticking.
 
These simple ingredients are all you need to make bagels in a bread maker that taste just like the ones from your favorite bakery.
 

2. Add the Dough Ingredients to the Bread Maker

The order you add ingredients to your bread maker matters for the best results.
 
Start by adding the warm water to the bread maker pan, then add the sugar and salt, and stir them in with a spatula.
 
Next, add the bread flour, making sure it covers the water completely, and finally, make a small well in the center of the flour and add the yeast.
 
This layering keeps the yeast away from the liquid until the machine starts mixing, which prevents premature activation.
 
Once everything is in, place the pan back in the machine and select the dough cycle.
 
Let the machine run through the entire dough cycle, including the rise, and then you’re ready to shape the bagels.
 

3. Shape the Bagel Dough

When the dough cycle finishes, the dough should be smooth, elastic, and only slightly risen.
 
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 8 equal pieces.
 
Roll each piece into a ball, then use your thumb to poke a hole through the center of each ball.
 
Gently stretch the hole to about 1.5 inches in diameter, and place the shaped bagels on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
 
Repeat this step for all the dough pieces, and then cover the bagels with a clean kitchen towel and let them rest for about 15 minutes.
 
This resting time relaxes the gluten and makes the bagels easier to boil.
 

4. Boil the Bagels

Boiling is the secret step that defines how to make bagels in a bread maker that turn out authentic.
 
Fill a large, wide pot with about 3 inches of water, add the honey or barley malt syrup, and bring it to a rolling boil.
 
Carefully lower 2 or 3 bagels into the boiling water at a time, making sure they have enough room to float without crowding.
 
Boil each side for about 30 seconds to 1 minute per side, depending on how chewy you like them.
 
Shorter boiling time gives you a softer, thinner crust, while longer boiling creates a thicker, chewier crust.
 
Use a slotted spoon to remove the boiled bagels and place them back on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
 

5. Add Toppings and Bake

If you want to add toppings like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything bagel seasoning, brush the boiled bagels with an egg wash or a little water, and then sprinkle on your toppings.
 
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) while the bagels are resting, and it’s a good idea to do this step before you start boiling.
 
Once all the bagels are boiled and topped, bake them for 20 to 25 minutes until they’re golden brown on top.
 
Let them cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing, because they’ll continue to set as they cool.
 
And that’s it, you’ve just learned how to make bagels in a bread maker from scratch at home.
 

Tips for the Best Bread Maker Bagels

Now that you know the basic process, here are some extra tips to help you make bagels in a bread maker that are truly exceptional.
 
These little tweaks can make a big difference in flavor and texture.
 

1. Use Bread Flour, Not All-Purpose

Bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, which is essential for that chewy, dense bagel texture.
 
When you make bagels in a bread maker, the stronger gluten network from bread flour gives the bagels more structure.
 
If you only have all-purpose flour, you can still use it, but your bagels will be a bit softer and less chewy.
 

2. Don’t Skip the Boiling Step

This is the most important tip for how to make bagels in a bread maker that actually taste like bagels.
 
Boiling sets the crust before baking, which locks in moisture and creates that shiny, chewy exterior.
 
If you skip the boiling and just bake the raw dough, you’ll end up with something more like bread rolls.
 
So don’t skip this step, it’s what separates bagels from regular baked bread.
 

3. Cold Proof for More Complex Flavor

If you have extra time, you can make bagels in a bread maker and then let the shaped bagels sit in the fridge overnight before boiling and baking.
 
This slow cold proof develops a more complex, tangy flavor and also makes the bagels easier to handle.
 
Just cover them lightly with plastic wrap and they’ll be ready to boil in the morning.
 
This is a great trick for weekend breakfast bagels.
 

So, How Do You Make Bagels in a Bread Maker?

You can make bagels in a bread maker, and the process is simpler than you might think once you get the hang of it.
 
The bread maker does the heavy lifting of mixing and kneading the dough, and then you only handle shaping, boiling, and baking.
 
This method gives you fresh, homemade bagels with that classic chewy crust and soft, airy interior.
 
So if you own a bread maker and have been wondering how to make bagels in a bread maker, now you have the complete guide.
 
Grab your ingredients, fire up that machine, and enjoy the best homemade bagels you’ve ever had.
 
There’s nothing quite like a warm, fresh bagel with cream cheese, and now you can make them anytime you want.