If you are making (or maintaining) a sourdough starter, you likely have a lot of sourdough discard. You can either throw it away (literally, discard it), or you can use it in sourdough discard recipes like these Sourdough Discard Bagels. Homemade bagels are delicious and surprisingly easy to make - these might just become a staple recipe for you!
If you're looking for a version of this recipe that does not use sourdough, try these Homemade Everything Bagels. And if you'd like a high-protein version of this recipe, try these Sourdough Discard Protein Bagels!
I make these bagels multiple times per week and they are gone within minutes of coming out of the oven!
- Kennedy
Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy weekend bake! Once you make homemade bagels once, you'll realize how easy they are you may never run out to the store for bagels on the weekend again!
- This is a same-day recipe with one rise and you'll have fresh bagels to enjoy in just a few hours.
- You can also make these bagels with active sourdough starter.
- Less than 30 minutes of prep! Most of the time making this recipe is rise time; there is actually less than 30 minutes of prep to make these bagels.
- They freeze well so it's great to make a batch and then freeze the bagels to enjoy throughout the week.
- You can modify the toppings to suit your taste! Try sesame seeds, poppy seeds, everything bagel seasoning, or flaky sea salt! In a savory mood? Try these Sourdough Discard Rosemary Salt Bagels, too!
Jump to:
Ingredients
As long as you have sourdough discard, the other ingredients are pantry staples you likely already have at home.
- Sourdough discard: The sourdough discard should be unfed and at room temperature for this recipe. This recipe is designed for discard with a 1:1 ratio (when you feed your starter, it's with 1 part flour and 1 part water). If your starter uses a different ratio, you may need to adjust some of the ingredients in this recipe.
- Learn more about making a homemade sourdough starter.
- Interested in making a loaf of bread with your sourdough discard? Try this easy Sourdough Discard Bread recipe!
- Toppings: These are optional, but you can top your bagel with anything you like. Sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and everything bagel seasoning are all great options!
See full recipe below for detailed instructions.
Substitutions & Variations
This is a very adaptable recipe and below are a few easy substitutions and variations you can try.
- Use active sourdough starter: If you'd like to use active sourdough starter to make sourdough bagels, you can! To do so, omit the yeast and replace the sourdough discard with active sourdough starter (200g). You will also need to adjust the rise times.
- Make mini bagels: Perfect for little hands or a cute appetizer or snack, you can make these into mini bagels! To do so, divide the dough into 24 equal-sized pieces (instead of only 8 full-size bagels). For me, that was about 46g per bagel. Continue with the directions as written.
- Change up the toppings: You can easily make these bagels different by changing your choice of toppings. These bagels are great with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, everything bagel seasoning, flaky sea salt, and more!
- Make stuffed bagels: Try these Sourdough Discard Stuffed Bagels, too!
- If you're in the mood for a Fall flavor, try these Sourdough Discard Pumpkin Bagels.
How to Make Sourdough Discard Bagels
These Sourdough Discard Bagels only need one rise, and the recipe is pretty forgiving. The full recipe with detailed directions is at the bottom of this post.
- Step 1: Combine all ingredients in a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Mix until a smooth ball forms, kneading on a work surface if needed. Transfer to an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap to rise for 90 minutes.
- Step 2: After the dough rises, turn it out onto a flat surface and divide it into 8-10 equal pieces. 8 pieces will give you larger bagels compared to 10 pieces.
- Step 3: Roll each piece into a ball using the base of your palm to create friction and form the seal of the dough (this will be the bottom, "ugly" side of the bagel).
- Step 4: Push your thumb through the center of each ball and stretch the hole to form your bagel shape. Cover the bagels with a clean kitchen towel and let rest for 20 minutes.
- Step 5: Boil each bagel for 15-30 seconds on each side. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bagels to the prepared baking sheet.
- Step 6: Brush each bagel with egg wash, then dip or sprinkle with your desired toppings (optional).
- Step 7: Bake the bagels until they are golden brown. Let cool, then slice and serve!
Expert Baking Tips
- Make sure to knead the dough long enough. The dough should be completely smooth, not shaggy.
- Once kneaded, the dough will be smooth and soft, and should not be sticky as it goes into the first rise.
- Every sourdough starter (and therefore every sourdough discard) is different. You may need to add some additional flour or water to reach the desired dough consistency. If your dough seems too dry, add more water, 1 Tablespoon at a time. If your dough seems too sticky (wet), add more flour, 1 Tablespoon at a time.
- Make your bagels more or less chewy to suit your taste by boiling them for a shorter or longer amount of time. Boiling for less time will create a less chewy crust. Boiling for longer will create a chewier crust. I like to boil mine for about 30 seconds on each side for a thinner crust.
- Change up the toppings! This is a great base bagel recipe that you can top with your favorite toppings like everything bagel seasoning, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, cinnamon sugar and more!
- Looking for more sourdough discard breakfast recipes? Try these Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls and Sourdough Discard Scones.
What is "passing the float test"?
When you put your bagels in the boiling water, they should float (which is called "passing the float test." This is the same process you would use if you were making Sourdough Discard Pretzels.
I recommend doing this with one test bagel first, so you can adjust if needed. If the bagel floats, it has passed the float test! And if the bagel does not float, then they're not yet ready to boil and need to take a bit more time to rise.
If the bagels float: This indicates that the dough has risen enough and the bagels will be light and airy once they're baked. Go ahead and boil and bake the bagels as directed!
- A bagel is considered "passing the float test" if it floats right away, or even if it sinks to the bottom, then slowly floats back up to the top. Both of these options pass!
If the bagels do not float: This indicates that the dough is too dense. If you boil and bake them now, your final bagels will be too dense and chewy. Cover the unboiled bagels with a clean kitchen towel again, and let sit for 10 more minutes to let the dough rise more. Then, try again.
Storage
Room Temperature Storage: Homemade bagels are best fresh, of course! Once cooled, they can be stored in a sealed plastic bag at room temperature for up to three days. Reheat the bagels in the microwave for about 30 seconds to make them warm and soft again.
Freezer Storage: These bagels freeze well! Once fully cooled, transfer the bagels to a freezer-safe plastic bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. I like to freeze them in individual plastic bags so I can reheat just one bagel whenever I like. Reheat frozen bagels in the microwave for about 60 seconds until warm and soft again.
Recipe FAQs
There are a few things that could cause this. First, make sure to shake off the excess water after boiling the bagels. Excess water can make the bagels sticky.
If you have excess egg wash pooling beneath the bagels, this can also make them sticky. You only need to use enough egg wash for the toppings to stick to the bagels.
Check the type of parchment paper you're using. Some are not designed for higher baking temperatures (and we're baking at a high temperature for this recipe!). I recommend using this parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (such as a Silpat mat).
Lastly, some ovens (like mine) heat unevenly and are hotter on the top or the bottom. Make sure to flip and rotate your pans (top to bottom and front to back) while baking so the bagels on each pan bake evenly!
More Sourdough Discard Bagel Recipes
If you tried these Sourdough Discard Bagels or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I'd love to hear from you! Happy Baking!
Sourdough Discard Bagels
Ingredients
For the Bagels
- 4 cups bread flour
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar divided
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 200 grams (about ¾ cup) sourdough discard unfed, at room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups warm water
For Topping
- 1 egg white for egg wash
- 1 Tablespoon water for egg wash
- Toppings (optional)
Instructions
- Combine flour, 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar, instant yeast and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment. Mix to combine. On low speed, add the sourdough discard and water until combined. Increase speed to medium and knead for 4-5 minutes until a smooth ball forms*. This will be a fairly sturdy dough and should not be sticky. You may need to add more water or more flour (1 Tablespoon at a time), depending on your sourdough discard, to reach the right dough consistency.
- Grease a large bowl, transfer the dough to the bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise for 90 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Turn the dough out onto a smooth surface and divide into 8-10 equal pieces. 8 pieces will give you 8 large bagels; 10 pieces will give you 10 smaller bagels. Roll each piece in your palm to form a smooth ball, then use your thumb to press through the center of each ball, stretching the hole to form your bagel. Cover the bagels with a clean kitchen towel and let rest for 20 minutes while you prepare the next step.
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Prepare 2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set aside. Bring a pot with 2 quarts of water and 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar to boil.
- Place your bagels in the boiling water for 15-30 seconds on each side**. The bagels should float (if not, see notes below). You can likely fit 2-3 bagels in the pot at a time, just make sure there is enough room for them to float openly as they will expand. Remove from the boiling water using a slotted spoon and transfer to the prepared baking sheets. If needed, you can reshape the bagels a little after they've cooled.
- Whisk together the egg white 1 Tablespoon water to create the egg wash. Lightly brush the bagels with egg wash, then sprinkle with your chosen toppings, if using (such as sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything bagel seasoning). You can also dip the bagels into the toppings if you prefer.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool fully before slicing and serving.
KK Cooksley says
Like everybody else, I give these bagels 5*! Today was my foray into bagel making and did I ever luck out with this recipe! It even uses a good quantity of discard. I discovered I only had traditional yeast, which I simply substituted 1:1 for instant , and tossed in with everything else. The result was a joyous mix of puffy yet chewy dough. I inquired earlier about hand kneading; traditional kneading worked like a charm. Thank you, Jess!
Katie says
After 80 minutes my dough hasn't doubled in size. I only used starter discard. Its risen just slightly
Jessica Vogl says
You mean you only used discard and no added yeast? Unfortunately, that will greatly impact your rise (and depending on how old your discard is, it may never rise the way you want it to). I highly recommend making this recipe with discard + added yeast OR with active sourdough starter.
Ashley says
Outstanding. It's now my go to bagel recipe. I tried it with cheddar and pickled jalapeños the other day and it came out perfectly. 100/10
Mwg says
Is the sugar important? To help ithe dough rise with the yeast? Or can it be left out? Thanks
Jessica Vogl says
You'll want to use sugar in the boiling step, but you could also substitute it with something else (honey, for example). You could leave it out of the dough, if you like.
Valerie Lazarz says
These turned out great! Nice and fluffy. I used active starter.
hannah says
hi! i’ve made your pretzel bites and they were delicious. question - can i make this recipe the day before and put the bagels in the fridge overnight and boil/bake them in the morning?
Jessica Vogl says
So glad you liked them! I would let the dough rise in the fridge overnight, then shape / boil / bake the next day.
Mary says
Hey Jess! I love thia recipe, I've made it several times! Can I make this dough and freeze the bagels if I dont want to bake them right away? Or should I bake and then freeze?
Jessica Vogl says
I'd recommend you bake and then freeze!
Pat says
I made these bagels today and they turned out perfectly! I mixed the flour—2 cups bread flour, 1 cup spelt flour and 1 cup of 12 grain flour and we all really liked them! I’ll definitely make them again! Thanks for the great recipe!
Carolina says
I saw this recipe on tiktok and decided to give it a try. I used an active starter so I didn’t feel the need to add yeast but I didn’t see the notes on the bottom that said to let it rise longer. So when it was time to boil I let rise for like 30 more minuetes but when I put the bagels in the boiling water, it never floated to the top. I gave up and decided to boil them until they floated to the top by themselves and then baked them and they came out amazing! It was crispy on the bottom and soft and chewy on the inside. I’ll definitely make it again
Laura S says
These bagels are awesome! I did increase the salt by 33%. They have yet to pass the ultimate test - a friend of mine will only eat bagels flown in to Denver from Essa Bagel in New York - but I'll ask her to try one next week. I think they're great.
Nicolette says
This recipe is fool proof. I have made them twice now and both times have turned out perfect! My family devoured them! So glad I found your website!
Kat says
If I could give this recipe more stars I would. WOW. As a midwest transplant missing New York style bagels, I think I just found the recipe to satisfy the itch lol. This recipe is amazing. I didn't have Kosher salt on hand so I used coarse sea salt and it seemed to work well as a substitute. Also went with the hand kneed method and no issues there. I have more sourdough discard than I know what to do so this recipe is perfect!
Peggy says
Could you use the dough cycle on bread to mix and knead
Jessica Vogl says
I haven't tried it, but I would guess this would work.
Sherri says
Did use the dough cycle on bread machine, which I do on several bread recipes. Worked perfectly. Great, easy recipe.
Natalia says
Made this and it was amazing. I ran out bread flower, can I use all purpose flour?
Jessica Vogl says
Your bagels will have a slightly different texture, but it will work!
Michelle Parker says
Your recipe is inaccurate which is NOT a good things for a beginner!! Why do you say 3tbsp of sugar divided????? And then you don't say when to add the other two tbsp's. That's just awful and caused me to possibly waste the entire batch!! I have no idea what to do
Jessica Vogl says
Hi Michelle! If you read through the recipe, you can clearly see that 1 Tbsp of sugar is used in the dough and the remaining 2 Tbsp of sugar are used in the boiling step. Also, if you accidentally added 3 Tbsp of sugar to the dough, that would not ruin the batch at all. Sorry to hear you had a hard time with this one!
Jo says
Absolutely love your recipe, so easy and they come out great every time. Thank you for sharing!!!
Heather says
I have done this before and it works but they are a bit more stodgy. I find them better when I knead by hand. But if I’m in a pinch for time I use the bread machine dough cycle
Alicia says
These are the only bagels I will eat. They are so delicious. I’ve made them numerous times for my husband’s coworkers. I topped a few with cheddar and jalapeños! They were a hit.
Arielle says
Can I long cold ferment these?
Jessica Vogl says
You could let the first rise happen in the fridge overnight and then shape / boil / bake the next day.
Corrie Cady says
Can you make these gluten free?
Jessica Vogl says
I haven't tried that!
Roe Hope says
This was an incredible recipe and the bagels were incredible.
Nusia says
Popular with my family and friends. Never buy bagels anymore. Easy to make and very delicious
Reagan says
I love this recipe and use it weekly! Do you think I could put the dough in the fridge overnight and allow time to warm up prior to shaping and baking the next day?
Jessica Vogl says
Yes, that should work!