Turkish Bagel Recipe: Homemade Comfort

This Turkish Bagel Recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and is made entirely in one bowl for a easy snack that your family will love! You can switch up the toppings to suit your taste or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends!

Ingredient Breakdown

  • Flour (500 g)
  • Dry Instant Yeast (2 teaspoons)
  • Salt (1 teaspoon)
  • Lukewarm Water (300 ml)
  • Molasses (½ cup)
  • Additional Water (¼ cup)
  • Flour for Dusting (1 tablespoon)
  • Toasted Sesame Seeds (300 g)

Let’s Get Cooking!

Step 1: Make the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Then, create a well in the center, and pour in the lukewarm water and molasses. It’s so satisfying to watch the ingredients transform! Mix together with a sturdy spoon until it all comes together, then switch to your hands and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. You’re gonna want to feel that texture; it’s going to be so satisfying!

Step 2: Prepare the Coating

In a small saucepan, combine the remaining water and molasses over medium heat. Stir until mixed and warm, then remove it from the heat. This will be your sticky coating that makes those sesame seeds adhere beautifully to the bagels.

Step 3: Shape the Simit Dough

Grab pieces of the dough (about 100 g each), roll them into ropes around 10 inches long, and shape them into a circle, pinching the ends to seal. You want that lovely bagel shape! Lay them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 4: Coat and Bake

Now, dip each bagel into the warm molasses water. Place them on a plate with your toasted sesame seeds, ensuring they’re well-coated. Transfer them back onto the baking sheet and let them rest for about 15 minutes. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) let the aroma fill your kitchen!

Once they’ve puffed up a little, pop them in the oven for about 20-25 minutes. Just wait until they’re golden brown and smell heavenly!

That’s It!

Your homemade Turkish bagels are ready to be devoured! Can’t you just taste them?

Turkish Bagels

Why I Love This Recipe

This is my go-to recipe when I want something comforting yet quick, let’s be real, we all have those busy weeknights, right? I’m a real sucker for anything that can transform breakfast from boring to bliss with just a few ingredients. The best part is, you can use whatever you’ve got on hand! Want to throw in some spices? Go for it! Add some cheese? Absolutely!

And if you’ve got kids, they love to help out in shaping the bagels, it’s a wonderful kitchen activity that keeps everyone engaged!

If you loved this Turkish Bagel Recipe, be sure to check out my Turkish Pita, my best Ever Tantuni, or my No-Oven Turkish Bread (Bazlama)!

Why This Recipe Works

Quick & Easy

This recipe truly comes together quickly in about 30 minutes, you’ve got fresh-baked bagels! Plus, minimal cleanup means more time to enjoy them with your family.

Crowd-Pleaser

These bagels are a hit for all ages! From breakfast to snack time, everyone will be clamoring for seconds. Trust me; my kids would devour a whole batch if I’d let them.

Customizable

I love recipes where you can bring your flair. The best part of this Turkish bagel recipe is getting creative with toppings or mix-ins. Have half a cup of cream cheese lying around? Fold it in! A few herbs? Toss those in! Whatever your heart desires.

Serving Suggestions

These Turkish bagels shine on their own but can also be served up as part of a fun, DIY brunch! Pair them with cream cheese, cucumber slices, or even a delicious Turkish Menemen (scrambled eggs with peppers and tomatoes) for a complete meal.

Storage Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2-3 days. However, they’re best eaten fresh! If you want to keep them longer, toss them in the freezer, they freeze beautifully up to 3 months! Just pull them out and reheat in the oven for that freshly-baked vibe.

Reheating

For the best results, pop them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5-10 minutes to restore that chewy texture. You can also microwave them for about 15-20 seconds if you’re in a hurry, but they won’t be as crispy.

The wonderful thing about food is how it brings people together, whether you’re breaking bread or not, you’re creating memories. So, I hope you dive into this Turkish bagel adventure! Trust me; your family will be begging for more!

Enjoy, and happy baking! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!

Turkish Bagels

Turkish Bagels

This easy Turkish Bagel Recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and is made entirely in one bowl for a quick and easy snack that your family will love!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 bagels
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: Turkish
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 500 g Flour All-purpose flour is recommended; bread flour can be used for better chew.
  • 2 teaspoons Dry Instant Yeast Active dry yeast can be used if proofed first in warm water with sugar.
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Kosher salt is preferred for balanced flavor.
  • 300 ml Lukewarm Water Can substitute with warm milk for a richer flavor.
  • ½ cup Molasses Grape or date molasses recommended; honey or maple syrup can substitute.
  • ¼ cup Additional Water Used for mixing with molasses for coating.
  • 1 tablespoon Flour for Dusting For dusting the work surface.
  • 300 g Toasted Sesame Seeds Can experiment with other toppings like poppy seeds.

Method
 

Make the Dough
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, yeast, and salt. Create a well in the center and add lukewarm water and molasses. Mix until combined, then knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Prepare the Coating
  1. In a small saucepan, combine the remaining water and molasses over medium heat. Stir until warm, then remove from heat.
Shape the Simit Dough
  1. Grab pieces of the dough (about 100 g each), roll them into ropes about 10 inches long, and shape into a circle, pinching the ends to seal. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Coat and Bake
  1. Dip each bagel into the warm molasses water and coat with toasted sesame seeds. Let them rest for about 15 minutes. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for about 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. For reheating, use a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5-10 minutes.

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