Learning something new gives us a dopamine rush. Whenever we learn something new our brains form new neurons and connections. This is especially good the older we get. I love to cook and love to learn new techniques and recipes. The other day I did a video about learning how to make bagels from scratch on my wood cookstove.
After my first attempt was a success, I got that dopamine rush! I am excited to share my simple recipe with you.
Making bagels always seemed like hassle, so I really never attempted to make them. With the help of my friend Linda’s recipe, that all changed. She told me bagels were simple and I could do it. She gave me easy directions over the phone, and I couldn’t wait to get up in the morning and try making bagels. It just so happened, I had a bowl of sourdough fermenting to bake in the morning. I would use the sourdough for the bagels. I like making things simple. I use my sourdough to make a variety of foods like biscuits, brownies, pancakes, pizza crust, calzones, cookies, pies, fritters, breads, and now BAGELS!
Doug and I were excited to have fresh sourdough bagels with cream cheese for breakfast. I decided to use half the dough for bagels and half for bread. The first time I made them, they tasted amazing. I just made them a little too big. They tasted just like the ones from a bakery. I was so proud of myself that I called everyone I knew and told them of my new accomplishment. I froze a bunch and have given away many. I have even shared this recipe with many of the Amish ladies in our community. Whenever I go and visit, they keep telling me to thank my friend who gave me the recipe. Each of these Amish ladies all used different bread recipes and each recipe worked fantastic in making the bagels.
My goals of becoming sufficient in all my cooking needs just got a whole lot closer. Bagels were the only bread item that I would periodically buy from the store. Well, no more “store bought” bagels for me. I thought you might want to try this simple, easy recipe.

Easy Bagels
Ingredients
- Use any bread dough recipe that has risen and ready to be baked I use my sourdough recipe
- 1 Tbsp Baking soda
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- Toppings for bagels (optional) such as cinnamon & sugar, sesame seeds, course salt, onion flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, and add 1 Tbsp baking soda and 1 Tbsp sugar. This is what gives it that bagel sheen and gives it that slightly chewy texture.
- After folding dough the last time, take out a small piece that fits inside your palm and roll into a ball and place on a piece of parchment paper. When parchment is filled, push your thumb inside the center of each to make a hole.
- Gently drop the bagels in the boiling water. Make sure not to crowd the bagels together so that they are all touching (3 or 4 work well.) They need plenty of room to do their bagel dance. Lol. Boil 1 minute on each side. I use a spatula to flip. After two minutes, remove bagels with spatula and set on baking sheet with parchment paper on top.
- This is the time to add toppings on top of the bagels if you would like.
- Bake at 425 degrees F for about 20 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool, serve sliced in half toasted with some grass fed butter and cream cheese.
- Freeze any leftovers for another time.
Video
I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment below and let me know if you think this is something you can make?
Your friend,
Stacy
I copied the directions as I watched the video, and tried it last night. I used my sourdough bread recipe and it worked well. Thanks
I did order your cookbook weeks ago, and have not yet received it. I’m looking forward to seeing your sourdough recipe.
Thanks Mary,
The post office did loose a couple of boxes of books so email us with “is my book lost forever” in the subject with your order number and name and stuff and we will get it figured out
=)
I am always looking for something simple. I am 69 and do not have the strength to make something time consuming. I think these would also be great with your favorite jam or jelly. I love to cook from scratch for it just tastes better.
Hi Stacy ( and Doug of course) What bread pans do you recommend? Stone, tin? Lehans, box store? Amazon? If I’m going to buy two id prefer to just spend the money on the type that you use. Even if I can only get one at a time.
Thank you for you,
Karen Barrows
Cape cod, MA
I would also like to know your recommendations for products you use. Would you consider adding a tab on your site with product links that you guys like ?
I love bagels to. I think you made it look easy. It’s been a long time since I made from scratch but last thing I made from scratch was an Oatmeal cake with pecan frosting
can you let me know what your cookbook is called specifically the one with your homemade salad dressing in it? thanks, God bless
I can’t wait to try this recipe!! So simple and it looks so easy. I just love giving my family homemade foods and jellies muffins etc at Christmas. They are all grown and to try and find something to get them that they don’t already have is exhausting and frustrating so they love getting the fresh food and stuff as a gift. It helps them to not have to cook to much during the holidays so that’s a plus. Thanks so much ya guys.
I am so excited to try making bagels for the first time!! I loveyour you tube channel. I wish we were neighbors! Thank you for all the information. I am disabled, and have a hard time getting to the store, but I do the best I can! Hey does Doug have a brother fore ? ! Lol I’m in NY (upstate, Adirondacks) 58 years old! Thanks for all you do.
Your new friend, Lorraine
I always watch these YouTube videos on my Smart Tv but it is not smart enough to make a comment for the contests. I cannot see the posts on my cellphone where I can comment. 🙁
I can’t wait to try it
I’m excited to give this recipe a try! My teenage daughter loves bagels, but I don’t like all the nasty ingredients in the store bought ones. I have a dehydrated starter I bought from Baker’s Creek and it makes great sourdough bread. Thanks Stacy for the recipe!
Love watching you ! Will start cooking soon . Keep has been operated on ,have 2 wait till it gets better. Need to start to make some sour dough. Can,t wait to start. Glad there is someone to watch ,cook,plant, and do wood and feed the animals.
I haven’t tried it .. however I’ve been looking into it.
I wanted to ask you… thinking you might have a healthier way to do potatoe chips.. my bf loves them and I’d like to make some for him being I won’t buy the anymore because I heard that they will be adding crickets in our foods.
I have been watching all your videos and sharing for sometime now I enjoy them very much .. thank you to both you and Doug. take care and God bless
Doug and Stacy, you two are so inspirational!!
Just now I watched your Lehman Store video and
started watching your videos, like making bagels, growing Chamomile, etc.
Literally, I suddenly became more motivated than I have been lately.
Your positive and uplifting attitudes, in addition to such important information , really
“lit a fire under me”!!
I also like how Doug emphasizes the importance, especially now, of “getting our houses in order” !
Thank you both for all you do!!
Thank you for this recipe. My family loves bagels but I was always afraid to try to make them. This is now our go-to recipe. Be blessed.
I love that we have honest people willing to put it all 9n the line, who aren’t phony. You can tell that Stacy and Doug aren’t phony. So when I hear Doug state that he gets folks calling him out saying he really isn’t a true homesteader. I just don’t see where anyone paying attention to this couple watching their videos could think such a thing. Perhaps it’s just that growing group of very poisonous lethal people I think they call them trolls, who have nothing better to do except attempt to darken and poopoo on everybody else’s happiness and good times. But we’re not going to take that, nope we’re all going to keep living the great happy life together and we’re going to keep living our neighbors as ourselves. And maybe we can change the world together! YAY! Have a wonderful day and hope you have a blessed year too.
You and I are kindred spirits. I love to share my knowledge with others to improve their lives and I see that same calling within you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
This looks so good and not so hard. I don’t care for sour dough. I’m consistent. Nothing sour. lol. I love good bagels. I am going to try.
I cook from scratch mostly due to my allergies and my family being dairy free. Your great
I like this a lot. I do all the cooking. Like trying different things.
I mill my own flour next batch of bread I’m definitely going to try your bagel one of my favorite too And took your advice and got some chickens and I love them who needs tv when you have chickens so relaxing and I tried your dill pickles oh my word so good I’d love a root cellar maybe when my ship comes in lol one step at a time. Definitely trying to get back to basics and wow you should see our garden this year I have cucumbers coming out our ears tomorrow is another canning day just love all your tips we did a raised bed my kind of garden cuz I can’t get down or up God love the knee replacement lies thank you soooooo much for your help
I loved this video and can’t wait to make these bagels. I also love the “jump to recipe” and that it is printable! Great job to all involved!
Do you use soft white wheat berries? I want to purchase some but there are to many choices! Would love your input.
Soft wheat berries are usually used for cakes …its a lighter flour has less protein in it. Hard wheat berries you want for making bread, rolls & bagels etc. I did a lot of research once upon a time! lol.
I can’t wait to make these. I really want to make my own everything bagel seasoning for them but I might have to make these without it the first time. They look delicious.
I will definitely try this recipe! I never knew about boiling them! It sounds delicious! I ordered a cookbook weeks ago and have not received it.
I wish I could live this way.
I did order your cookbook! Love it! Thanks for making the bagel recipe printable. Want to try it soon. Looks delicious!
Thank U for the tip about sweet potato, New one for Me, thanks
those bagels look delicious. thanks for the recipe!
I can’t wait to try these!
Good Recipe l Will be Making it Next Week Thanks
Oh mercy this was so easy!!!! I have been cooking from scratch for 30 years but have never attempted bagels before. Thank you so much. They turned out beautiful and were delicious. Now I’m trying my hand at fermenting. Fingers crossed!!!
I realy love these recipes that you share I love the cabin building also keep up the nice work thanks for sharing.
Good job Stacy!
Thank you for all the tips and tricks you gave us.
And it’s so good to see your video’s. It’s like we’re friends.
I live in a city, in the Netherlands, but have a small garden.
There is an apple tree, a fig and a pear, and some berries and herbs.
Go on!
I am so excited about trying your recipe! Doug’s email made my day! I am going have to figure out sour dough first. I’m not a cook but your videos have inspired me. Actually, my husband and I watch them every night. Y’all are inspiring us to do some urban homesteading. We were talking last night about coming to the learning center when y’all open it up. Y’all are amazing! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
I have made Bagels the hard way and this is the easiest way, I call it “the water way Bagel”. You reminded me how much I have missed making bagels! Last thing I made was Cinnamon Amish starter bread and Chocolate chip Amish starter Cake. Also of course the Amish friendship bread. Gave 4 starters away and froze one for later. I love watching you use the wood stove something I know nothing about.. It fascinates me, I would love to live off grid, my girls tell me I’m to old 71 years soon. I don’t feel old I move more and faster than my 50 year old friends. Husband just retired and my yearning for off grid is with my thoughts everyday. Thanks for helping me live it through you and your hubby! bought you book Love it. I am a recipe addict 🙂
Cher
If you own the land your home is on, you can do so very much homesteading, right where you are. City ordinances can no longer forbid you from planting garden on any and all of your lawn areas. You just need to make sure not to plant tall foods at intersections that could block a drivers view of oncoming cars. If some homesteading jobs require more strength and stamina than you now have, you will l find hugh school kids willing to help out, for little cost. Often they will be happy to help without recompense – just give them some produce! I put an ad in local newspaper and had several kids respond. One teen girl shoveled snow off driveway and sidewalks all winter!! I’m 83 now.
I love all your videos! I would love to make these, Stacy makes it look so easy. My mom was the baker in our family. I couldn’t bake anything, unless it came in a box. I’ve never made sour dough bread, the only bread I know how to make is bread machine bread that comes out of a box. Do you know if I can use the bread machine dough to make the bagels or a good sour dough bread recipe that doesn’t require you to figure out how to make a starter? I tried to figure that out, but I didn’t understand why you were always throwing half of it out. Living alone, it’s hard to bake or cook it doesn’t seem worth the effort making anything for myself.
save half — use the other half to make something, then add more flour to what you saved and you’re ready for next time
Kathryn Hill, it’s worth baking and cooking because YOU are worth it!!!!!! I am on my own, too. My Mom lives with me, but often times I have to run out and get her fast food even though I cook from scratch at home. So I know how you feel. But the great thing about cooking Stacy’s delicious recipes is that there are left overs, so you can enjoy more than one meal. Of course, you could always cut the recipe down if you so choose. By the way, I don’t know how to make sour dough bread, either, but Stacy has a video on that, too, so we both can try it. God Bless! Carmen
Can’t wait to try them😊
Yes I have made them years ago !! Nice to try them again.
They look delicious can’t wait for my daughter and I to try to make some
Hello Doug and Stacy, I will surely try this recipe . I have to focus on my sourdough dough first . Cause watching the video I noticed you had a whopper pan full of sourdough !! So I went to buy your cookbook but I saw they ´te were not a PayPal way to buy it and have it sent to France .. so maybe I will have to wait til the pandemic will be out of our way. It complicates everything! Good thing you can do videos! Will let you know about the bagels..👍🏽🌷😘 thank you very much!
Am watching also the maman’s house go up. It’s getting serious be careful with the roof!!take care
Yes ma’am. I’m all about this recipe. I never knew they would be so easy. Thank you Stacy. Once again, I’m wowed.
I can’t wait to make the bagals with my sourdough starter. I watch all your videos and love them all. I wish I was younger to try living like you both.
Yumm. I plan to surprise my daughter with some *everything* bagels made with Einhorn and cassava flours!!
This look simple and I will try. I’ve tried making bread for years and it never comes out right. Not terrible, but not right. I can remember the smell and taste of fresh bread in my grandmothers kitchen. I keep trying but I’m not there. The last thing I made was no oil air fryer French fries.
Kathryn Hill, it’s worth baking and cooking because YOU are worth it!!!!!! I am on my own, too. My Mom lives with me, but often times I have to run out and get her fast food even though I cook from scratch at home. So I know how you feel. But the great thing about cooking Stacy’s delicious recipes is that there are left overs, so you can enjoy more than one meal. Of course, you could always cut the recipe down if you so choose. By the way, I don’t know how to make sour dough bread, either, but Stacy has a video on that, too, so we both can try it. God Bless! Carmen
Stacy your bagel recipe looks amazing! Will be trying it soon. Thank you so much! The sweet potato slips are huge! I just made homemade barbecue sauce for shredded chicken. I have you cookbook and am loving the recipes! Drinking the chocolate tea. Also my new favorite! Thank you so much for all that you and Doug share with us!
Thank you for sharing. Now I will make my own bagels.
How do you use the yeast that you made in the fridge Please:)
Stacey, thanks so much for this video. I have wanted to make bagels for a long time, but all the recipes I saw looked very difficult. This one makes it seem easy enough that I am going to make them. I have just started a sourdough and when it is ready I will be making bagels.
Cheers!
O my your playing that song i love? thank you Stacy I going to make them it looks so easy. I have to get out that cook of your and go thru it again I love my veggies
I tried this recipe using my basic bread recipe and they are delicious!!! Thank you so much!!! I’ve been enjoying the videos. God bless.
Really good idea! I think I could do it. My husbands birthday was the 23rd , so I made a from scratch carrot cake.
I get so excited to see your videos and learn new things! I’ve never made yeast breads because they scare me, like they did you lol
I’ve decided to just do it! How do a start a sour dough starter?
Thank you for inspiring me Stacy.
I would love to make these. Do you have a recipe for your sourdough bread or started and how to feed it? Thanks.
I definitely will be makeing these bagels! I Love your cookbook!
Most definitely gonna make these for my man and his Father(84)….I love your cookbook and your channel…I tell all 3 of my sisters about your website{youtube&facebook).
I really would like to start making the sourdough bread. I have your book & love it! My question is can I make my own starter? I really don’t know where I’d get it from. No “real” bakeries around me.
Love your baking.
I love growing food for my health.
Looks great and easy. Thanks for sharing.
Did you know that if your hands are wet while trying to form the balls that the dough won’t be as sticky? Try it!
I have severe food sensitivities. Is there a way to make a gluten free sourdough/bagel? Anyone? Thank you!
I can’t wait to try this recipe. I’m going to put my homemade cinnamon honey butter on them for breakfast with a side of fruit. Thank you.
Hi, Doug and Stacy, I’ve enjoyed your videos for a couple of years, especially the the recipes that are vegetarian, and the videos of “Mom’s cabin build”. A couple of questions: does this bagel recipe work well with with gluten free bread doughs? Also, did you get the cabin finished and your mom moved in? All the best, keep up the great work!
Stacy,
I watched one of your YouTube Videos on fermenting and you talked about the jars, lids and smasher. What company did you order them from??
never tried but now I will , made turkey soup from scratch today….
OMG 😱 this is the first time I made bagels, they are delicious & it was so easy. I made a quick sourdough by using plain yogurt with a bit of lemon juice, a bread flour, the usual…yeast, water, salt, butter all in my bread machine for the dough process & followed your recipe for the rest! Thank you!
Making them right now. Will comment again when finished.
Fabulous! Soft and chewy. Thanks Stacy!!
I can not find bagels around me, and being originally from NJ- they were life!!! I cannot wait to try making these! Thank you!
Thank-You both for your time and knowledge!! I just bought your cookbook. God Bless you both!!
Love your channel, been watching it off and on for years. Looking forward to trying this recipe. I think I am going to buy your cookbook to get the sourdough recipe you use for this. I will be moving to Missouri myself in early Aug. (Randolph County) I hope to meet you all one day. I am in the process of moving into an Amish bult tiny 2-room cabin. I plan to live mostly off-grid. I will be using solar panels and a Bluetti for my electrical needs. My late husband & I loved the self sufficient life-style. We were big on gardening organically and we canned a lot, raised chicken and sold our meat to local restaurants. I will be starting all over on a little 1/2 acre plot. Huge downside for me, as we had a 130 acre farm. Keep up the good work, I have learned a lot from you two. This morning I learned about the liquid fertilizer you use. I even emailed that youtube link to a good friend of mine. Take care.
Back in my 30’s I started making whole wheat bread by scratch, after milling the berries. Maybe I can make wheat bagels, when I get back to making bread~~prolly sooner than later! 🙂 Your-in-person-how to make bagels (and all else) is excellent! I do better watching someone bake/cook at least once. Interesting about the rolling water.
I get in baking moods, and yesterday I baked a simple whole wheat banana muffin with oatmeal, mini choc chips, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts. Filling, healthy, and my dessert! Thanks to you and Doug for sharing everything ya’ll learn, including the mistakes! Encouraging! I am a young-minded 70 yr old so not sure that I would live off grid by myself, but I respect you two to do so! Love to hear how you learn and share with the Amish! Bet you two were in great careers before moving to live off the grid, and that you both are smart. I just found ya’ll on FB just about 2 months ago~~been sharing with my fam/friends. We can all learn from one another~~community!! Big blessings!
Thank you for the recipe. I will have to try it.
The last thing I made from scratch would have to be pizza dough.
I really love your show. I watch it from you tube on my tv. I decided to get on your web site to let you know how great I think you guys are. I am 75 years old and have learned alot from you two. My mom lived during the great depression, so I had learned alot from her already about being prepared for anything. She taught me many survival tricks, so going to you was a natural transition for me.
thanks for all you’ve shown me so far.
Looks easy. Will make this week. Cook from garden daily yet i need to do more living foods. Glad I can watch you. The last thing I made was Blackberry cobbler yesterday and bread last week. I lived off grid a while but had to move where i had internet to work. Everything you all do is everything I went through. Its a progression.
I plan on making a outdoor kitchen at this location , Love yours. Glad you are both so awsome. Thanks
Hi Stacey.
I love your homesteading show. Are you a teacher? You’re a great communicator.
I am retired and on my own and I moved from CA to central FL last year. This is my first year gardening and I love learning. I am better prepared than I was 6 months ago.
I’m hoping not to have to work a traditional job again. I know a lot and I’m very crafty. I am retired and love cooking and baking.
I’ve learned a lot by watching your show.
Have a great day!
The bagels look amazing! I felt as though I could smell them from here. (Pennsylvania) haha The last thing I made from scratch was garlic bread and garlic butter! Love your show! Thank you. May God continue to bless and protect you, your family, and your beautiful farm.
I admire everything the two of you do. I had considered doing the same when I was younger but didn’t have the go through commitment , nor had a partner to share the work with. I have a recipe for bagels but have not tried it, for the same reason thinking it was too complicated and not having the ingredients mentioned in the recipe. I wish I would of chosen to do it especially now that our government is putting controls and restrictions, plus the cost of land is skyrocketing since big brother is planning on taking over the food farming from the people. Thanks for what your doing your an inspiration to me and everyone else who follows your journey.
I did not have parchment and the bottoms stuck to the oiled pan and tried to stay soggy… so maybe i should have dusted pan with cornmeal… I ended up flipping them over and baking another 5 minutes to dry the bottoms.. worked fairly well.. Awesome Technique, Thank you so much Stacy for sharing !!
U said on bagel video u keep sourdough bread dough in fridge how does that work I keep discard in fridge but not actual dough did I misunderstand Love all your pages
Love it, can’t wait to try it
gonna try it!!
we live in south africa & would love to buy a sun oven…but they dont ship here??
your bagels are Cool….now I need to find your bread recipe….sourdough was it? that`s an Oh No for me…I`m smiling
This is an odd place to tell you Stacy that I never saw your refridgerator video and I`ve looked….and I need to also look to see if you have a video on how to make dumplings, the bagels made me think of it…those sorta big fluffy kind in chicken soup .
I Watch U On You tube ALL THE TIME Didn’t Realize You Had A Website As Well This Is Great! I Can’t Wait To Try Making These My Kids LOVE Bagels Thank You For Sharing.
Wow you topped the chart w/ this video
Those look yummy, I wish we could eat bread, Thank you for sharing
I have made these and it’s my husband’s favorite bagel. These bagels really are easy to make, and the sourdough makes all the difference in the world. It’s all about taking things slow with the sourdough starters…patience is key!
Can’t wait to try….Thank you, Stacy!
Bagels are one thing we always get at the store. I have had no idea how to make our own. Thanks so much! I am so glad we found you and your videos. We are learning and loving it!
~City Slickers on the Ridge!
Yum! Beets and Bagels, too! Such good recipes. I need a new notebook!
Gonna give this a try. Last thing I made from scratch was white chicken chili with home canned chicken and beans.
Love this! I am going to make these, we love bagels too. Thanks for sharing all this great information. See you in Oklahoma in June.
Easy peasey ty I did the whole dough making process about 10 years ago glad I did so much better then all the trash and preservatives ang god know what else in them good to see real Americans are still out there. Best wishes your new friend Dustin. Ps I hit my head too so I’m a little funny like Doug hahaha 🤣😂🤣😂
we will try this soon.
Love sour dough bread. Looking forward to adding blueberries, or even aronias to the dough.
I cant wait to do this. I love bagels and they love me lol. I will be ordering your cookbook as soon as possible.
Last night I got the idea to make create something sweet, yummy and comforting. I put my culinary skills to work and started gathering little bits of leftovers before they turned into a science project from the unknown lol. I ended up with some leftover pumpkin puree, cooked apples, a frozen banana and some stale organic white bread that i made a few days ago. Next, I mixed up some eggs, milk, turbinado sugar, and some pumpkin pie spice mix. Then I added the left over bread that I just tore into pieces, gave it a good stir and put it into a glass loaf pan. I baked it at 350 until it was light brown. It smelt so good and tasted SO YUMMY!!! I put some leftover glaze on top of it that I had used to put on some home made cinnamon raisin biscuit rolls. I get dangerous when I start cooking but its fun and usually turns out awesome
hi, I’m wanting to order the fermenting book. I can’t find the link. can you send it to me?
Look Delish, can’t wait to make these. Thank you for making them simple. I LOVE simple!!!
Do you have a sour dough starter recipe?
YUMM!!!
Thank you Stacy! I just started following you and Doug a few months ago. I have started fermenting and just started my sourdough starter. You guys are great!
Hi guys I’ve never made bagels before I make every thing from scratch I have most of my life I love cooking and knowing what I’m eating..I’ve been making sour dough bread for over a year now and we all love it..I’m going to try the bagel recipe looks pretty easy as j make sour dough most days..I still want to make sour dough crumpets and English muffins..I will get to it all one day..I even bought the crumpet rings..
I’m an Aussie so is your tablespoon the same as ours..I’ll have to google that..thanks for the recipe..I love watching all your videos on youtube ..you two are amazing x
love to you both x
I made these today. I used my white bread recipe. Yes, they were easy to make and yummy. Thank you.
Hi. I homeschool our 4 kids using ESA. This is an incredible program that sets aside public school money for individual students (qualifications needed). I am able to purchase curriculum through the state’s server directly from Amazon. Do you ever sell on Amazon? While each of your books looks great, I’d really like to incorporate the one about fermenting into our school year.