Cheddar Cheese Bagel Recipe (2024)

Jump to Recipe·4.9 from 10 reviews

This cheddar cheese bagel recipe is easy make! Top these delicious bagels with your favourite topping, such as jalapeño peppers and your favourite cheese flavour. Enjoy New York style fresh bagels as good as your neighbourhood bagel shop. Make your own bagels in the comfort of your home.

Love easy breakfast recipe? Try my sausage cream cheese casserole, chocolate chip pancakes or these Hawaiian roll breakfast sliders next!

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About these Cheddar Bagels

There is nothing better than a homemade fresh bagel! The way the cheese gives the edges those crispy bits of cheddar cheese is heaven. This recipe gives that same great texture you get from a bakery.

Cheddar Cheese Bagel Recipe (2)

Although the dough takes a bit of time to rise they are worth the wait and they really are super easy to make! You’ve got this!!

Don’t you love how you can mix and match the flavours such as jalapeño cheddar cheese or sharp cheddar cheese. I’ve left instructions in the notes on the recipe card for cinnamon raisin bagel varation and you will want to try those too!

These bagels are perfect for breakfast or brunch, and if you have any leftovers they are easy to freeze. You might also enjoy my cranberry orange scones or cinnamon roll apple cobbler for your next breakfast or brunch.

Ingredients for Homemade Cheddar Bagels

Cheddar Cheese Bagel Recipe (3)
  • Granulated sugar
  • Active dry yeast – I do not recommend any substitutes for this ingredient.
  • Eggs – Use large eggs at room temperature. Take them out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you start the recipe.
  • Vegetable oil
  • Bread flour
  • Salt
  • Sharp cheddar cheese – see variations below for other suggestions. You can make these bagels your own by adding several different toppings to suit your taste.

Step By Step Instructions

Below you will find step by step instructions with photos to help you along the way. You can find the full recipe card with ingredients and instructions at the bottom of this page.

You will need one to two large cookie sheets for this recipe.

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DISSOLVE THE YEAST

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve 1 tsp. of sugar in warm water. Water temperature should be between 110F and 115°F.
Sprinkle yeast over top of water mixture and let stand for 10 minutes. (Yeast should be frothy – if not, wait another two to three minutes).

MAKE THE DOUGH

Whisk in eggs and vegetable oil, followed by the sugar and salt.

Gradually stir in 2 cups of the flour and continue to stir until dough is smooth. Gradually add another cup of the flour and continue to mix. The dough should be soft but not sticky.

Turn out the dough onto a very lightly floured surface. If the dough is a little sticky when you are kneading it, you can work up to 1/2 cup of additional flour into the dough but not more than that as it will upset the balance needed for the right texture.

Knead dough for 10 minutes. To knead dough, place dough in front of you and fold the back half of the dough towards you. Use heel of your hand to press dough down into itself. Give the dough a quarter turn and repeat. (Turn, knead, turn, knead). When kneading is completed, the dough should spring back when you poke it with your finger.

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Using a different large bowl, coat the bowl lightly with olive oil.

Place dough in bowl and turn dough through the oil once to grease.

Cover with plastic wrap andlet rise until doubled in size for 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours.

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COOK THE BAGELS!

In a large, wide saucepan, bring 16 cups of water and the 2 tbsp. of sugar to a boil. (you will be shaping the bagels while the water is coming to a boil).

Roll into a 10-inch long rope. Bring the end together to form a circle, overlapping, then pinch the edges to seal the dough.(Pinch the edges tightly)! Place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Cover with a clean tea towel andlet rise for 15 minutes.

Gently add the bagels to the boiling water, four at a time. Cook over medium heat for 1 minute. Turn over with slotted spoon and cook for 1 minute more. Move bagels to a baking sheet that is freshly-lined with parchment paper. Continue with the remaining bagels until all 12 have been completed.

Cheddar Cheese Bagel Recipe (8)

EGG WASH AND TOPPINGS

Beat one egg with 1 tsp. water in a small bowl.

Brush the bagel tops with eggs, then place the bagels on parchment paper-lined baking sheet and sprinkle the cheese on top. If you do not have parchment paper, you can grease and lightly flour the baking sheets.

Bake in 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes or until tops are golden brown.

Transfer to cooling racks. See recipe notes below for storage and freezing instructions.

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Storage and Freezing Instructions

FAQ’s

Are bagels hard to make at home?

Bagel are an easy baking project to make in the comfort of your home. They do take time to make and you should plan for about three to three and a half hours total from start to finish.

Can I use all purpose flour instead of bread bread flour for bagels.

Although you can substitute all purpose flour for bread flour in a bagel recipe, the result will be a less chewy bagel. One of the things that makes a bagel so delicious is the chewy texture, so go with the bread flour!

Variations

You can make these bagels your own by changing up the types of cheese that you use. Mild or medium cheddar, Montery Jack and the ever-popular asiago cheese bagels are all great choices.

Jalapeno Cheddar Bagels – add in 100 g of finely grated jalepeno pepper to the dough and sprinkle a few on top of the cheddar before baking.

Cheddar Cheese Bagel Recipe (10)

My Top Tips For Delicious Homemade Bagels

Use bread flour to achieve a classic, chewy bagel texture.

Measure ingredients accurately for a successful bake.

Make the your own – you can spinkle the unbaked bagels with sesame seeds, poppy seeds and a variety of cheeses. I’ve included instructions in the recipe card notes for cinnamon raisin bagels which are also delicious!

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Cheddar Cheese Bagel Recipe (15)

Cheddar Cheese Bagel Recipe

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

4.9 from 10 reviews

  • Author: Sandra Flegg
  • Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12
Print Recipe

Description

Thischeddar cheese bagel recipeis easy make! Top these delicious bagels with your favourite topping, such as jalapeño peppers and your favourite cheese flavour. Enjoy New York style fresh bagels as good as your neighbourhood bagel shop. Make your own bagels in the comfort of your home.

Ingredients

YEAST MIXTURE:
1 tsp. granulated sugar

1 cup warm water

1 tbsp. active dry yeast

DOUGH

2 large eggs

1 tbsp. vegetable oil

3 and 1/2 cups bread flour

2 tbsp. granulated sugar

1 and tsp. salt

POACHING LIQUID

16 cups water

1 and 1/2 tbsp. granulated sugar

EGG WASH

1 large egg, beaten

1 tsp. water

TOPPINGS

1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

  1. TO DISSOLVE YEAST
  2. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve 1 tsp. of sugar in warm water. Water temperature should be between 110F and 115°F.
  3. Sprinkle yeast over top of water mixture and let stand for 10 minutes. (Yeast should be frothy – if not, wait another two to three minutes).
  4. MAKE THE DOUGH
  5. Whisk in eggs and vegetable oil.
  6. Add in sugar and salt.
  7. Gradually stir in 2 cups of the flour and continue to stir until dough is smooth. Gradually add another cup of the flour and continue to mix. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
  8. Turn out the dough onto a very lightly floured surface. If the dough is a little sticky when you are kneading it, you can work up to 1/2 cup of additional flour into the dough but not more than that as it will upset the balance needed for the right texture.
  9. Knead dough for 10 minutes. To knead dough, place dough in front of you and fold the back half of the dough towards you. Use heel of your hand to press dough down into itself. Give the dough a quarter turn and repeat. (Turn, knead, turn, knead). When kneading is completed, the dough should spring back when you poke it with your finger.
  10. Using a different large bowl, coat the bowl lightly with olive oil.
  11. Place dough in bowl and turn dough through the oil once to grease.
  12. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size for 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours.
  13. Punch down the dough and knead 10 times.
  14. Divide dough into 12 equal portions.
  15. In a large, wide saucepan, bring 16 cups of water and the 2 tbsp. of sugar to a boil. (you will be shaping the bagels while the water is coming to a boil).
  16. Roll into a 10-inch long rope. Bring the end together to form a circle, overlapping, then pinch the edges to seal the dough.(Pinch the edges tightly)! Place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Cover with a clean tea towel and let rise for 15 minutes.
  17. Gently add the bagels to the boiling water, four at a time. Cook over medium heat for 1 minute. Turn over with slotted spoon and cook for 1 minute more. Move bagels to a baking sheet that is freshly-lined with parchment paper. Continue with the remaining bagels until all 12 have been completed.
  18. EGG WASH AND TOPPINGS
  19. Beat one egg with 1 tsp. water in a small bowl.
  20. Brush the bagel tops with eggs, then place the bagels on parchment paper-lined baking sheet and sprinkle the cheese on top. If you do not have parchment paper, you can grease and lightly flour the baking sheets.
  21. Bake in 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes or until tops are golden brown.
  22. Transfer to cooling racks. See recipe notes below for storage and freezing instructions.

Notes

VARIATIONS:

1/2 cup of sesame seeds, poppyseeds or everything bagel seasoning. Sprinkle on top of bagels after brushing on the egg wash.

WHOLE WHEAT CINNAMON RAISIN BAGELS VARIATION:

Use 1 cup of whole wheat flour and 2 and 1/2 cups of bread flour

Increase sugar from 2 tbsp. to 1/4 cup granulated sugar for the dough

Add 2 and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon to the flour mixture

After the dough has risen, punch down and gently knead in 1 cup raisins

STORAGE & FREEZING INSTRUCTIONS:

Store bagels in a plastic storage container or plastic zip top bag for a few days.

Bagels can be frozen in plastic zip top bags for up to three months.

  • Prep Time: 2 hours
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 255
  • Sugar: 4.2 g
  • Sodium: 246.8 mg
  • Fat: 10.5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5.6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32.6 g
  • Fiber: 1.8 g
  • Protein: 8.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 62 mg

This post was first published in October, 2020 and was updated January 31st, 2023 with additional images and some modifications to the recipe to include cheddar cheese bagels.

Cheddar Cheese Bagel Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making bagels? ›

10 Tips for Making Schmear-Worthy Homemade Bagels
  • Moisture: Wetter dough means crispier bagels. ...
  • Water temp: The colder the better. ...
  • Dry active yeast: Let it chill. ...
  • Flour: Embrace the gluten. ...
  • Mixing: Low and slow is the way to go. ...
  • The rise: Your kitchen climate is A-okay. ...
  • Flavor kick: After the proof.
Jan 13, 2023

What kind of cheese is good on bagels? ›

Cream Cheese: This is a classic choice for bagels. It comes in various flavors and spreads easily on toasted bagels. Cheddar: Sharp cheddar or aged cheddar slices can add a rich, tangy flavor to a bagel sandwich. Swiss: Swiss cheese offers a mild, nutty taste that complements the flavors of bagels nicely.

What do you put on bagels before baking? ›

Just before baking, use a pastry brush to paint water onto the surface of the bagels, then sprinkle with toppings–sesame seeds, poppy seeds, pretzel salt, or my favorite, the mixture of poppy seeds and dried onion flakes.

What goes good on a cream cheese bagel? ›

Cream cheese bagel toppings
  • Sliced avocado and mixed seeds.
  • Hot sauce.
  • Fried or scrambled egg.
  • Bananas, cinnamon and honey.
  • Sliced strawberries and desiccated coconut.
Apr 23, 2023

What makes bagels taste so good? ›

Ingredients like malt syrup and high-gluten flour create a slightly sweet dough with an unmistakable chewiness. The overnight “curing” that rising bagel dough undergoes adds a very subtle tang that makes bagels stand out from regular bread.

What is the best butter for bagels? ›

Salted butter: Salted butter contains added salt. This is most people's go-to butter for spreading on toast, bagels, and muffins, and for sautéing eggs and vegetables. Whipped butter: This type of butter contains more air than traditional butter, which gives it a lighter texture that's great for spreading.

What is the healthiest bagels to eat? ›

Here are some tips for choosing the healthiest bagel: Ask for whole-wheat or whole-grain. Compared to 2.5 grams of fiber in a plain medium bagel, a whole-wheat bagel has 4.5 grams of fiber. Multigrain is a tricky term that usually just means the food has "multiple types of grains," which are not necessarily whole.

What happens if you don't boil bagels before baking? ›

If you don't boil your bagels, you'll be baking round bread. There's more to a bagel than the shape. The boiling sets the crust of the bagel to get the signature thin crunchy crust. It also affects the texture of the bread inside.

Why are my homemade bagels tough? ›

Moreira: Usually if you get dense bagels, it's because they were underproofed. But it could also be that your yeast is bad. When you're at home using dry yeast—especially if you don't use it that often—you should always bloom the yeast in a little bit of sugar and water to make sure it's active.

What do New Yorkers put on their bagels? ›

New York style bagels are usually high in calories, and eating just one can be a satisfying meal. But what are they traditionally filled with? To make a bagel like the Jewish community did in the 1930s, "schmear" your bagel with cream cheese. Then layer your bagel with lox or another form of cured fish.

What can I put on a bagel instead of cream cheese? ›

What can you put on a bagel other than cream cheese? butter, cheese, ham, turkey, lettuce, mayo, smoked whitefish, tomatoes, peanut butter, olive spread, red peppers, etc. Literally anything you can add to a sandwich can also be added to a bagel.

What pairs well with a bagel? ›

Best Bagel Pairings
  • Classic Cream Cheese. This is a breakfast match made in heaven. ...
  • Bacon or Sausage. ...
  • Hash Browns. ...
  • Tuna Salad. ...
  • Steak and Eggs. ...
  • Chocolate Chip Pancakes. ...
  • Rob's Bageland—Best Bodacious Bagels!

What is the ratio of cream cheese to bagel? ›

If you're catering an event for acquaintances or strangers, a good place to start is 1 pound of cream cheese per dozen bagels. That's 16oz for 12 pieces, amounting to 1.33 oz of cream cheese per whole bagel.

Why are my homemade bagels so dense? ›

If your dough is too wet, it'll create large holes in the crumb of the dough and your bagels will be more like French bread, with a fluffy interior (see top photo). When too much flour is kneaded in, bagels become dense, hard and tough, instead of crisp and chewy.

What makes bagels in New York so good? ›

a regular bagel is the water you boil them in. Much like a specific vineyard terroir is used to make a wine, certain minerals in New York City tap water are attributed to creating the best bagels. These include low concentrations of calcium and magnesium and a high level of sediment.

How do you make homemade bagels less dense? ›

If you want a thinner crust and airier texture in your bagels, shorten the boiling time slightly (around 45 seconds, instead of the 60 seconds called for in the recipe). The shorter boil means the crust has less opportunity to preset, which allows more rising, and thus a “fluffier” bagel.

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