1. Mix the Dough and First Rise for Homemade Sourdough Bagels

Make sure your sourdough starter is fed and bubbly—it works best when it’s at its peak activity.

• Place the starter, water, honey, and salt into the stand mixer bowl using a spatula.
• Add the bread flour, mixing everything together by hand until it forms a stiff, shaggy dough.
• Fix the hook attachment and knead on lowest speed for 6 or 7 minutes. The dough should be smooth and elastic.
• Take the dough back into the mixing bowl and cover it loosely in an airy manner and allow it to sit at room temperature for another 8-12 hours. By this time, it should be doubled in size.

2. Divide and Shape Your Sourdough Bagels

• Lay the dough out on a clean working surface. Using the bench scraper, divide it into 8
• Roll each piece into a smooth ball, then poke your thumb through the center of each ball to form a hole. Stretch the hole slightly to create that classic bagel shape.

3. Second Rise for Chewy Sourdough Bagels

• Place the formed bagels on their parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Cover them with a clean tea towel and let them cool for 30 to 60 minutes or until they puff slightly.
• While they rise, preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C) and prepare a large pot of water for boiling. Make sure the water is at least 3 inches deep and add 1 tablespoon of sugar.

4. Boil the Sourdough Bagels for Perfect Texture

• Carefully drop a few bagels into the boiling water at a time. Boil each side for 2 minutes, then transfer them back to the parchment-lined baking sheet.

5. Add Toppings to Your Homemade Sourdough Bagels

• Once the boiled bagels have cooled slightly, dip the top of each one into your favorite topping or leave them plain. Return them to the baking sheet with the toppings facing up.

6. Bake the Sourdough Bagels to Golden Perfection

• Place the bagels in the preheated oven to bake for about 25 minutes, or until they’re beautifully golden brown on the outside.

And there you have it—fresh, homemade sourdough bagels! Let them cool slightly before slicing, or enjoy them warm with your favorite spread.