Jalapeno Cheddar Bagels

Jalapeno Cheddar Bagels are the perfect combination of spice and comfort. They are sure to be a new favorite breakfast for you to make on the weekend and enjoy throughout the week. These bagels are a game-changer when it comes to breakfast with their bold flavor, satisfying texture, and endless versatility. It's time to break out your apron and make a batch at home. Believe me, your taste buds will thank you!

Jump to:

• How to Enjoy Jalapeno Cheddar Bagels
• Ingredients and Substitutions
• How To Make Homemade Jalapeno Cheddar Bagels
• Tips and Tricks for Success
• 📖 Recipe

How to Enjoy Jalapeno Cheddar Bagels

Like I mentioned, these bagels are versatile and can make a great treat any time of day! Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy them:

• Cream Cheese: Spread a generous layer of cream cheese on a toasted bagel for a simple but satisfying breakfast.
• Breakfast Sandwich: Make a delicious breakfast sandwich by toasting your bagel and then topping it with your favorite ingredients such as eggs, cheese, ham, and avocado.
• Enjoy with Soup: One of my favorite things is to enjoy these with a bowl of homemade tomato soup! You can turn things up another notch by making a grilled cheese sandwich with these bagels!
• Anytime Snack: Who says you can't enjoy a homemade bagel any time of the day? Sometimes you get hungry and you need a snack and these bagels are perfect for those occasions!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Honey: This adds just a touch of sweetness to the bagels but isn't really noticeable. The main purpose of the honey is to activate the yeast and allow it to bloom. Yeast feeds off of sugar to bloom. If you don't have honey, you can substitute granulated sugar or maple syrup.

Yeast: I like to use instant yeast but you can also use active dry yeast since I do have it called out to dissolve it in water with sugar. If you do choose to use active dry yeast, the dough may take a little longer to rise but it will still turn out just fine!

Flour: I chose to use bread flour in this recipe and I would recommend doing the same. It has a higher protein content which results in more gluten development improving the overall texture of the bagels. If you must, you can substitute all-purpose flour but it's not recommended.

Jalapenos: Use fresh jalapenos and remove the seeds! Feel free to get creative and try the recipe with other types of peppers to your liking.

Cheddar Cheese: I used sharp cheddar cheese and bought it shredded. You are welcome to substitute for other cheese if you prefer. I sometimes do a mixture of half pepper jack cheese and half cheddar cheese and it's phenomenal!

Egg: This is used to brush the tops of the bagels to give them the nice golden brown color and shine. This makes your bagels look more aesthetic and professional!

How To Make Homemade Jalapeno Cheddar Bagels

Step 1: In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large sized mixing bowl, whisk together the 1 ½ cups warm water and 1 tablespoon honey. Add the 3 teaspoons instant yeast and whisk again. Allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes for the yeast to bloom. If you haven't yet, mince your jalapenos while you wait.

Step 2: Add the 4 cups bread flour, 1 teaspoon salt, ⅓ cup minced jalapenos, and ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese. Mix together with a dough hook or your hands until completely combined.

Step 3: Lightly flour your work surface and turn the dough out onto it. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes or until it slowly bounces back when you softly poke it.

Step 4: Spray a large sized mixing bowl with nonstick spray and place the dough in it, turning to coat all sides of the dough with the grease. Cover the bowl and allow to sit for about 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size.

Step 5: Dump the dough back out onto your lightly floured worksurface and divide it into 8 equal sized balls. Shape them into smooth balls before punching a hole in the center. Once you have your bagels shaped, cover again and let them rest while you prep the water bath.

Step 6: Preheat your oven to 400℉. Fill a large pot with 2 quarts of water and bring it to over medium-high heat. Once the water is boiling, add in the baking soda. Working in batches, drop the bagels into the water and cook for about 1-2 minutes on each side. Remove and set on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 7: In a small bowl, whisk the egg and 1 tablespoon water. Brush the tops and sides of the bagels with the egg wash. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese before placing the jalapeno slices on top. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes.

Tips and Tricks for Success

As always, I try to give you tips and tricks so you are successful when you make this recipe so here are a few of my top tips for the perfect bagels!

• Measure your flour correctly. Be sure to spoon the flour into your measuring cup before leveling it off. If you pack the flour in the measuring cup then your bagels will be more dry and dense than you want.
• Tuck the edges of the dough and pinch the seems closed when you are shaping the balls. This part is hard to explain in words so I've included photos below. It can be hard to get the dough formed into a smooth ball. I've found that the best way to do this is by grabbing at the edges of the dough to tuck it into the bottom and pinch the seam closed.
• Make the holes in the center of your dough about 1 inch in diameter. The holes will close up as they rest as well as baking so if you don't make the holes big enough, they will close up making your bagels look more like rolls.

If you make this recipe, please leave a star rating at the bottom of the page! This helps me get feedback on the recipes as well as helps other readers. If you love my recipes, feel free to subscribe to my newsletter or follow me at the social media links below so you don't miss new recipes! I appreciate you taking the time to view my blog and appreciate when you share it with others!

📖 Recipe