Description
This Cheese Bagels recipe yields soft and chewy bagels packed with sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheese, perfect for a savory breakfast or a satisfying snack. The dough is boiled briefly before baking, ensuring a classic bagel texture with a golden, cheesy crust.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups bread flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1 tablespoon baking soda (for boiling)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups warm water
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- extra shredded cheese for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Gradually add the warm water and mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Add Cheeses: Gently knead in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Shape Bagels: Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball, then poke a hole through the center with your finger and gently stretch it to form a classic bagel shape.
- Preheat Oven and Boil Water: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add the baking soda.
- Boil Bagels: Boil bagels in batches for about 1 minute on each side to achieve the characteristic chewy texture and shiny crust, then remove with a slotted spoon and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Add Toppings: Brush the tops of the bagels with beaten egg and sprinkle generously with extra shredded cheese.
- Bake: Bake the bagels for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown and the cheese topping is bubbly and browned.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bagels from the oven and let cool on a wire rack before serving to set the texture and flavors.
Notes
- For a cheesier variation, try mixing in some grated parmesan or smoked gouda with the cheddar and mozzarella.
- You can also add herbs like garlic powder or chopped chives to the dough for extra flavor.
- If you prefer, substitute the cheddar with pepper jack for a spicy kick.
