Sourdough Honey Wheat Bagels

There’s something special about making homemade bagels. The process is a true labor of love, but the reward is a chewy, flavorful, golden bagel that’s far better than anything store-bought. These sourdough honey wheat bagels are a perfect balance of hearty earthy whole wheat, natural sweetness from honey, and a beautifully chewy texture.

Unlike commercial bagels made with yeast, these rely on an overnight sourdough fermentation, which not only enhances the flavor but also makes them easier to digest. The cold ferment develops deep, complex notes, while the honey in the dough and the boiling water bath gives them a gorgeous golden crust.

Let’s dive into the process so you can make your own bakery-worthy sourdough bagels at home!

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Tools You’ll Need

1. Large mixing bowl – for mixing and fermenting the dough

2. Kitchen scale – for precise measurements

3. Measuring cups and spoons – for those who prefer volume measurements

4. Stand mixer with dough hook (optional) – to help knead the dough

5. Bench scraper or knife – to divide the dough

6. Parchment paper (cut into 4x4 squares) – to shape and transfer bagels

7. Large pot – for boiling the bagels

8. Slotted spoon – for removing bagels from the boiling water. I like this slotted basket here https://amzn.to/3QzuNDv

9. Baking sheet – for baking bagels

10. Lint-free kitchen towel – to cover the dough during resting periods

Now let's make some bagels!

Dough:

• 1 ½ cups (200g) bread flour

• 1 ½ cups (200g) all-purpose flour

• ¾ cup (100g) whole wheat flour

• ½ cup (100g) active sourdough starter

• ⅓ cup (120g) honey

• 1 cup (225g) warm water

• 1 ¾ teaspoons (10g) salt

• (Optional: wheat germ for garnish) I used Bob's Red Mill organic wheat germ linked here https://amzn.to/4kiY8js

Boiling Water Bath:

• 2 quarts water

• 1 tablespoon honey

Mixing & First Rise

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sourdough starter, bread flour, all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, honey, and warm water. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.

2. Add the salt, then knead the dough for about 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead on low speed for 10 minutes. After kneading, transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl or container.

3. Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.

4. Perform a stretch and fold by gently pulling up one side of the dough, stretching it, and folding it back onto itself. Rotate the bowl and repeat on all four sides.

5. Cover the dough again and let it rise at room temperature, ideally around 75-78°F, for 10-12 hours. If your house is cold, place dough in oven with light on to create a warmer environment. This long fermentation helps develop flavor and digestibility. Because this dough has lower hydration and contains whole wheat, it won’t rise dramatically—this is normal. It's better to proof this dough longer than not give it enough time, if you cut it short you may end up with a gummy and dense bagel.

Cold Ferment & Shaping

6. After the first rise, transfer the dough to the refrigerator and let it cold ferment for at least 1 hour to firm up, or up to 12 hours.

7. When ready to shape, remove the dough from the fridge. If you refrigerated dough over 6 hours, let it rest on the counter for 30 minutes to take the chill off before weighing and shaping.

8. Weigh the dough and divide it into equal portions, about 130g per bagel for a standard size.

9. Shape each portion into a tight ball by tucking the edges underneath. Let them rest on a greased or floured surface.

10. Prepare 14 squares of 4x4 parchment paper for shaping. I just folded my parchment into roughly this size and cut it. This dough is stickier so it's important for you not to skip this step.

11. To form the classic bagel shape, poke a hole in the center of each dough ball using your thumb, then gently stretch the hole until it’s about 1.5 inches (4 cm) wide. The hole will shrink slightly as the dough rests.

12. Place each bagel on an individual parchment square to prevent sticking.

13. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let them rest for 30 minutes while you prepare the water bath.

Boiling & Baking

14. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

15. In a large pot, bring 2 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Stir in 1 tablespoon of honey—this enhances the bagels’ golden color and subtle sweetness.

16. Using the parchment squares, carefully lower a few bagels into the boiling water. Leave the parchment attached initially and remove it with tongs once the bagels are submerged.

17. Boil for 3 minutes, flipping halfway through. Because of the whole wheat content, these bagels may not float but continue boiling them for the full time.

18. Remove the bagels with a slotted spoon, letting the excess water drain off, then place them back on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkled with a garnish of wheat germ if desired.

19. Bake for 30 minutes, until golden brown and firm to the touch.

20. Let the bagels cool completely before slicing—this helps set the crumb for the best texture.

Enjoy your fresh homemade bagels!

Makes 7 bagels

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