Cheesy Garlic Bagels are soft, fluffy, and loaded with flavourful garlic butter and gooey mozzarella cheese. This easy homemade bagel recipe gives you bakery-style bagels with a perfect golden crust, ideal for breakfast or snacking. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or gatherings, these homemade bagels bring gourmet quality straight to your kitchen.
Why you will love this recipe?
This recipe will be loved because it combines a fluffy, chewy texture with a rich garlic butter punch and gooey cheese pockets. It’s fun to make, visually impressive, and perfect for customizing with herbs or spices. These bagels are a crowd-pleaser that will impress family and friends, making homemade bagels an easy yet gourmet experience.
Expert Tips for Best Results!
- Use foil to maintain shape – Placing a small strip of foil inside the bagel hole helps keep the ring shape during baking.
- Use cheese cubes for gooey pockets – Mozzarella cubes melt inside the bagel for delicious, cheesy bites, while shredded cheese works if you prefer.
- Boil briefly – Boiling each bagel for just 5 seconds per side creates a shiny, chewy crust without over-softening.
- Use lukewarm water – Activating the yeast with lukewarm water ensures the dough rises properly and develops a soft, chewy texture.
- Knead the dough thoroughly – Kneading for 4–5 minutes develops gluten, giving the bagels their classic chew and structure.
How to make Garlic Butter Cheese Bagels?
Step 1: Activate the Dough
Start by combining the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Gradually add lukewarm water and knead by hand for 4–5 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Cover and allow it to rest until doubled in size, ensuring an airy texture.
Step 2: Prepare the Garlic Butter
While the dough rests, mix softened butter with finely chopped garlic, fresh parsley, coriander, and chili flakes. Spread the mixture into a thin rectangle between parchment sheets and refrigerate until firm. Cutting into small cubes will make filling the bagels easier.
Step 3: Divide and Shape the Dough
Punch down the risen dough gently and divide it into six equal portions. Roll each portion into an oval shape and place a garlic butter cube along with mozzarella cheese in the centre. Fold the dough carefully to seal the filling completely.
Step 4: Form the Bagel Rings
Roll the filled dough into a log and then shape it into a ring, pinching the ends tightly. For best results, place a small strip of foil inside the bagel hole to prevent it from closing while baking.
Step 5: Second Proofing
Cover the shaped bagels with a cloth and let them rest for 25 minutes. This second rise helps the bagels achieve a light and fluffy interior.
Step 6: Boil for Shine and Texture
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, adding sugar and baking soda. Carefully boil each bagel for 5 seconds per side. This step enhances the glossy crust and chewy texture.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 225°C. Place boiled bagels on a lined baking tray and bake on the lower rack for 8–9 minutes. Reduce the heat to 200°C and continue baking for another 7–8 minutes, turning the tray halfway through to ensure even browning.
Step 8: Finishing Touch and Serve
Immediately brush hot bagels with extra garlic butter for a shiny, flavourful finish. Serve warm to enjoy gooey cheese centres and a crispy garlic-infused crust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before and refrigerate it. Allow it to come to room temperature before shaping. This also improves flavour.
Can I substitute fresh herbs with dried herbs?
Fresh herbs are recommended for bright, fresh flavour, but dried parsley and coriander can be used in smaller amounts.
Can I skip boiling the bagels?
Boiling is essential for creating the classic chewy bagel crust. Skipping it will result in a softer, more bread-like texture.
Can I freeze the shaped bagels before boiling?
Yes, freeze shaped bagels on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Boil and bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to baking time.
How do I store leftover bagels?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days or freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven for a few minutes for the best texture.
Watch How to Make it!
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Recipe Card
Garlic Butter Cheese Bagels
Experience the ultimate homemade bagels with rich garlic butter and melted mozzarella. Cheesy Garlic Bagels are soft on the inside, golden on the outside, and packed with flavour, perfect for brunch, snacking, or impressing family and friends.
Ingredients
For Dough:
- 375g flour (3 cups)
- 215g lukewarm water (3/4 cup + 2 tbsp)
- 1 1/4 tsp instant dry yeast
- 1 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
For Garlic Butter Filling:
- 80g softened butter (1/3 cup)
- 7–8 finely chopped garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes
For Filling:
- Cubed or shredded mozzarella cheese (as needed)
For Boiling:
- 1 gallon water (about 3.5–4 litres)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp baking soda
Instructions
- Combine flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl. Gradually add lukewarm water and knead by hand until smooth and elastic. Cover and let the dough rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Mix softened butter with chopped garlic, parsley, coriander, and chili flakes. Spread into a thin rectangle on parchment paper, refrigerate until firm, then cut into small cubes.
- Punch down the risen dough and divide into equal portions. Roll each portion into an oval, place garlic butter cubes and mozzarella in the centre, fold tightly, and shape into a bagel ring, sealing ends securely.
- Place shaped bagels on a tray, cover, and allow them to rest for 25 minutes to puff slightly.
- Bring water to a boil with sugar and baking soda. Boil each bagel for 5 seconds per side, then transfer to a lined baking tray.
- Preheat oven to 225°C. Bake bagels for 8–9 minutes, then reduce temperature to 200°C and bake for another 7–8 minutes until golden. Turn tray halfway for even baking.
- Immediately brush the hot bagels with extra garlic butter for an irresistible, flavourful shine.
- Let the bagels cool slightly and serve warm for soft, cheesy, and aromatic bagels that taste better than any store-bought version.
If you like Bagels recipes like these, you should definitely check out my:
1) Easy Homemade Bagels
2) High-Protein Bagels
Hi!
I would like to try your recipe as it looks delectable. Did you use all purpose flour or bread flour for this recipe?
Hellooo!! I used bread flour but you can use Ap flour too. However, I recommend using bread flour!
Thank you very much, Great help for a homebaker.
So glad you liked it! 🙂