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.

Cheddar Cheese Bagel Recipe (5)

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 kind of cheese is good on bagels? ›

Cheese. You could make a spicy bagel sandwich by using slices of Pepper Jack cheese. You can also use Velveeta cheese slices if you like melty cheese, or you can go with classic American slices, Cheddar Cheese or even Provolone.

Do cheddar bagels need to be refrigerated? ›

It is not recommended to store bagels in the refrigerator. Refrigerating bagels can cause them to become stale faster. Keep your bagels on the counter in a paper or zip-top bag, or freeze them for long-term storage.

What is the bagel with cheese called? ›

Cheese meets bagel

The asiago bagel is a great example of marriage of Italian and Jewish culinary tradition. This cheese came to America with Italian immigrants around the turn of the century, and by 1920 was as popular as parmesan.

What is the secret to making bagels? ›

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

What makes bagels taste so good? ›

The production process, most importantly the proofing of yeast and the boiling of the bagels prior to baking them, is what better defines the texture and taste of signature New York bagels.

What is good on bagels besides cream cheese? ›

6 Surprising, Totally Delicious Ways to Top a Bagel
  • 01 of 06. Bagel With Ricotta and Strawberries. ...
  • 02 of 06. Bagel With Cream Cheese, Apple, and Honey. ...
  • 03 of 06. Bagel With Avocado and Radish. ...
  • 04 of 06. Chicken, Sprouts, and Provolone Sandwich. ...
  • 05 of 06. Bagel With Prosciutto, Tomato, and Gruyère. ...
  • 06 of 06.
Oct 7, 2022

Does freezing bagels keep them fresh? ›

Another option is freezing your bagels. Frozen, they will keep for 3-4 months in an airtight bag. Don't forget to pre-slice them! Another “cool” face about freezing bagels: they don't even need to be thawed before toasting.

Why do bagels go stale so fast? ›

Due to their unique structure, bagels need to be stored very carefully to preserve their quality. Try to avoid storing them out in the open left uncovered, and there is too much airflow and you'll have stale bagels within just a few hours.

Why do bagels say keep refrigerated? ›

That's because the salt draws moisture out of the bagel dough and causes the bagels to dehydrate faster. Bagels have a pretty short shelf life in general — about four, maybe five days maximum before they're too hard to eat.

What do Jews put on bagels? ›

Bagels and lox is one of the best Jewish deli favorites and usually consists of an open-faced or ring-shaped bread piece known as a bagel that is topped with thinly sliced red onions, cream cheese, briny capers, and lox.

What is a bagel without a hole called? ›

Bialys (without holes) and bagels (with) A chewy yeast roll bearing similarity to the bagel, the bialy has a diameter of up to 15 centimetres (6 in). Unlike a bagel, which is boiled before baking, a bialy is simply baked, and instead of a hole in the middle it has a depression.

What is a Bozo bagel? ›

Bozo. Three bagel twisted into one giant bagel make a Bozo. Sesame seeds on one side, poppy on the other. Perfect for sharing. (A bagel for lovers!)

What kind of flour is best for bagels? ›

Bread flour – Because of its high protein content, bread flour makes these homemade bagels delightfully chewy. This recipe also works with all-purpose flour, they're just a bit less chewy than bagels made with bread flour. Maple syrup – It activates the yeast and gives the bagels a hint of sweetness.

Why do you dip bagels in water? ›

THE explanations of why a bagel is dipped in boiling water and why it has a hole in the middle are interconnected. First, the boiling water has a little sugar added to it, which serves to glaze the dough, and give it a satisfying surface texture when baked.

What cream cheese is best on an everything bagel? ›

Finally, I like to top my everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, but plain cream cheese is delicious by itself, too. Cream cheese is very easy to flavor, so play around with adding different spices, veggies, or even fruit to make it your own! If you ask me, bagels are a perfect food any time of day.

Which cheese is best for breakfast? ›

What you choose is up to you, but many cheese lovers like either gouda, cheddar, or gruyere – all deliciously complemented by our Raspberry Jalapeno Compote. English muffins are also great companions for fresh cheeses, especially cream cheese, such as Smithfield cream cheese.

Is cream cheese nice on bagels? ›

A bagel with cream cheese is common in American cuisine, particularly in New York City. It is often eaten for breakfast; with smoked salmon added, it is sometimes served for brunch. In New York City circa 1900, a popular combination consisted of a bagel topped with lox, cream cheese, capers, tomato, and red onion.

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