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 cheese is good for bagel? ›

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 can I put on bagels instead of cream cheese? ›

Eight bagel toppings to try beyond just cream cheese
  1. Spinach & Artichoke Dip Bagel. ...
  2. Jalapeño Popper Bagel. ...
  3. Honey Pecan Bagel. ...
  4. Everything Reuben Bagel. ...
  5. Berry Cream Cheese Bagel. ...
  6. White Bean & Roasted Red Pepper Bagel. ...
  7. Pesto Egg in a Hole Bagel. ...
  8. Bacon, Tomato & Alfredo Bagel Melt.

Do cheddar bagels need to be refrigerated? ›

⏲️ Storage Tips

Due to the cheese and peppers on top, these jalapeño cheddar bagels tend to spoil quickly — plan to eat them within a few days. If you're not planning to eat them all within a day or two, slice them almost all the way through and freeze. Bagels should not be refrigerated.

What can you add to bagels? ›

Get the details below on how to create these delicious bagel combinations!
  • Peanut butter and banana. ...
  • Choc-hazelnut dessert bagels. ...
  • Jam and cream bagels. ...
  • Ricotta with blueberries. ...
  • Smashed avocado. ...
  • Hummus and falafels. ...
  • Smoked salmon with cream cheese.

What is the most popular thing to put on a bagel? ›

Cream cheese is probably the number one bagel schmear. It's quick, it's tasty, it's good for you – the perfect topping for the perennial roll with a hole. You can flavor the cream cheese with a variety of things for even more fun.

Should I put cream cheese or butter on my bagel? ›

Butter on sweet bagels (like a cinnamon and sugar bagel) and cream cheese on savoury (like an everything bagel or sundried tomato bagel). I like a lot of cream cheese on my bagels so I feel like it takes away from some savory bagels. Plus I like to put brown sugar cinnamon cream cheese on my cinnamon raisin bagels so.

What is the healthiest way to eat a bagel? ›

Bagels can be a part of a healthy breakfast if eaten with other foods that provide an overall nutritious and balanced meal. To enjoy bagels as part of a fulfilling breakfast, consider incorporating healthy fats as a bagel spread, such as avocado, hummus, or peanut butter.

What do you put on plain bagels? ›

What to Put on a Bagel
  1. Cream cheese, obvs! Stick with plain, or try any flavor you'd like. Fresh herbs in cream cheese are delicious!
  2. Lox or gravlax with sliced red onion, tomato, and capers.
  3. Egg and cheese for a breakfast bagel sandwich situation.
May 1, 2023

Why do Thomas bagels last so long? ›

Packaged bagels such as Thomas Bagels or frozen bagels may last longer, as they likely contain preservatives. Checking the expiration date on the package is your best bet to ensure this type of bagel is stored properly and for the right length of time.

Is it OK to freeze bagels? ›

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 say keep refrigerated? ›

No. Bagels, like all bread, do not need to be refrigerated. Putting your bagels in the fridge will cause them to go stale faster than if you leave them at room temperature.

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.

Can you make bagels with pizza dough? ›

Using cold pizza dough straight from the fridge will yield a denser, chewier bagel. If you let the dough come to room temperature before baking, the bagels will have a more breadlike texture.

What can I put on a bagel besides butter? ›

Most spreads like cream cheese and hummus add fat to keep us feeling full for longer. Quality deli meats, smoked fish, and mashed beans add protein to continue building on our satisfaction. And things like pickled onions, olives, and salsa add in flavor.

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.

What is the top cream cheese for bagels? ›

Philadelphia Cream Cheese

What we have here is easily the most popular—read that as the most trusted—brand name in the industry. There's that traditional foil-wrapped white variety whose taste everybody craves. Now, it also comes in different flavors: Pineapple, Brown Sugar with Cinnamon and Pumpkin Spice.

What type of cheese is best for breakfast sandwiches? ›

This easy, satisfying breakfast sandwich recipe calls for American cheese, but it's equally delicious with Gruyère or sharp cheddar. Feel free to use your favorite toast if you don't have English muffins. A dash of vinegary hot sauce is a great addition here.

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