Homemade Asiago Cheese Bagels Recipe: Golden Bakery Magic

Asiago cheese bagels bring a tangy, robust flavor to your morning breakfast routine.

These golden-brown circles of deliciousness combine the sharp, nutty essence of a beloved Italian cheese with classic bagel crafting techniques.

Dense and perfectly chewy, they offer a gourmet twist on a traditional morning staple.

Bakery enthusiasts adore the way these bagels develop a crisp exterior while maintaining a soft, pillowy interior.

The distinctive asiago provides a rich, complex taste that elevates the humble bagel into a culinary experience.

Crafted with care and attention to detail, these bagels redefine an ordinary breakfast into something extraordinary.

You’ll find yourself craving these savory delights that balance comfort and sophistication.

Shaping and Baking Asiago Cheese Bagels

Step 1: Activate Yeast Mixture

In a stand mixer bowl, pour warm water and sprinkle yeast. Drizzle honey and gently stir. Let the mixture sit and become bubbly for about 10 minutes.

Step 2: Create Dough Base

• Smooth
• Non-sticky
• Elastic consistency

Step 3: Knead and Rest Dough

Knead the dough using mixer or hands for approximately 5 minutes. Shape into a perfect round disc and transfer to an oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and kitchen towel. Allow dough to rise and double in size for 1 hour.

Step 4: Shape Bagel Rounds

Punch down risen dough. Divide mixture into 15 equal portions. Roll each portion into smooth balls. Place bagel rounds on parchment-lined baking sheet. Let rounds rest and rise for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Create Bagel Holes

Gently press center of each dough ball to form signature bagel hole. Ensure holes are evenly shaped.

Step 6: Prepare Boiling Water Bath

Heat water and add brown sugar. Create a gentle simmer for boiling process.

Step 7: Boil Bagel Rounds

• 2 minutes on first side
• 30 seconds on second side

Remove and place back on baking sheet.

Step 8: Top and Bake

Sprinkle Asiago cheese generously over bagel rounds. Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Remove from oven. Allow bagels to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy fresh, homemade Asiago Cheese Bagels!

Prep Time: 2 hours | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal | Servings: 15 bagels

Tips for Chewy, Flavorful Asiago Bagels

• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F for optimal yeast activation, creating a frothy mixture that guarantees soft, fluffy bagels.
• Knead with Precision: Develop gluten strength by kneading until dough becomes smooth and elastic, which creates the signature chewy bagel texture.
• Control Moisture Carefully: Add flour gradually to prevent dry dough, watching for a soft, slightly tacky consistency that won't stick to your hands.
• Boil for Authentic Shine: Use brown sugar in boiling water to create a gorgeous golden crust and enhance the bagels' traditional glossy exterior.
• Cheese Distribution Trick: Generously sprinkle asiago cheese just before baking to ensure even melting and maximum flavor coverage across each bagel's surface.

Storing and Reheating Asiago Cheese Bagels

• Refrigerate: Wrap bagels individually in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Place cooled bagels in a freezer bag, removing excess air, and freeze for up to 2 months. Separate with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Reheat: Toast frozen or refrigerated bagels in a toaster oven at 350°F for 3-4 minutes until warm and crispy. Alternatively, slice and warm in a skillet for a golden, crunchy exterior.

Toppings and Spreads for Asiago Cheese Bagels

• Savor Creamy Cheese Companions: Pair these asiago bagels with a smooth cream cheese spread or tangy goat cheese for a rich, indulgent flavor that complements the sharp asiago notes.
• Brew Perfect Beverage Matches: Enjoy with a crisp amber ale or a light roasted coffee to balance the cheese's intensity and bring out the bagel's hearty texture.
• Create Delightful Protein Partners: Top with smoked turkey, prosciutto, or a soft scrambled egg to transform these bagels into a satisfying breakfast or lunch that highlights the asiago's robust character.
• Enhance with Fresh Produce: Add sliced heirloom tomatoes, fresh arugula, or pickled red onions to introduce a bright, zesty contrast to the bagel's dense, cheesy profile.

Creative Variations on Asiago Cheese Bagels

• Herbed Asiago Adventure: Replace plain bagel dough with a mixture of chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage. Sprinkle additional dried herbs on top before baking for an aromatic flavor boost.
• Whole Wheat Cheese Crafters: Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nutty, rustic texture. Add ground flaxseeds for extra nutrition and a subtle earthy undertone.
• Roasted Garlic Cheese Explosion: Incorporate roasted garlic cloves directly into the dough during kneading. Brush bagels with garlic-infused olive oil before adding asiago cheese for a robust, savory profile.
• Jalapeño Cheese Spark: Mix finely diced jalapeños into the dough for a spicy kick. Top bagels with asiago and additional chopped peppers to intensify the heat and create a zesty bread experience.

Golden Asiago Cheese Bagels with Crispy Crust

• Craft Artisan Bakery-Style Bagels: Experience professional-level bread making right in your kitchen with these homemade asiago cheese bagels that rival fancy bakery offerings.
• Enjoy Gourmet Cheese Infusion: The rich, nutty asiago cheese creates a delightful savory crust that elevates these bagels from ordinary to extraordinary, delivering complex flavor in every bite.
• Master Simple Bread Techniques: Learn professional bread-making skills through an approachable recipe that teaches kneading, rising, and boiling techniques, perfect for bakers wanting to expand their culinary repertoire.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Prepare a generous batch of 15 bagels that's ideal for family breakfasts, weekend brunches, or sharing with friends, making meal preparation both delicious and social.

Ingredients for Homemade Asiago Cheese Bagels

Main Ingredients:

• High Gluten Flour, Bread Flour, All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure and texture for the bagels, with high gluten flour giving the best chewiness and rise.

• Water, Honey, Light Brown Sugar: Activates yeast, adds subtle sweetness, and helps with browning of the bagel crust.
• Active Dry Yeast: Essential for bread rising, creates airy and soft texture in bagels.

• Asiago Cheese: Offers a sharp, nutty flavor that melts beautifully and creates a rich, savory profile for the bagels.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and controls yeast activity during bread making.
• Olive Oil: Used for greasing to prevent sticking and add a light, smooth coating to the dough.

Asiago Cheese Bagels Recipe

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4.5 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Asiago cheese bagels bring New York-style bakery magic straight to home kitchens. Rich, tangy asiago cheese creates a crispy golden crust that elevates classic breakfast bread with irresistible flavor you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) freshly shredded asiago cheese
• 4.5 to 5.5 cups (540 to 660 grams) flour (high gluten or bread flour is best, but all-purpose flour will work)
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) very warm water (not boiling)

Leavening and Sweeteners:

• 2 packets active dry yeast (quick rising)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

Seasoning:

• 2 teaspoons salt

Additional:

• Olive oil for greasing

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast by combining warm water, honey, and yeast in a stand mixer bowl. Allow the mixture to become frothy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is alive and active.
2. Gradually incorporate salt and flour into the yeast mixture, using a bread hook to blend. Slowly add additional flour until the dough transforms into a smooth, cohesive texture that no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl.
3. Thoroughly knead the dough, either with the mixer or by hand, until it becomes elastic and develops a consistent, smooth surface. This process develops the gluten and ensures proper texture.
4. Shape the dough into a compact disc, transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, and cover completely with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel. Let the dough rest and rise in a warm environment until it doubles in volume.
5. Deflate the risen dough by gently pressing down. Divide the dough into 15 equal portions and roll each into a smooth, uniform ball.
6. Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing space between each. Let them undergo a second rise for approximately 30 minutes.
7. Carefully create a hole in the center of each dough ball, forming the classic bagel shape. Simultaneously, preheat the oven to 400°F.
8. Prepare a large pot of water mixed with brown sugar. Gently lower bagels into the water, boiling 3 at a time. Cook for 2 minutes on one side, then flip and boil for an additional 30 seconds.
9. Return the boiled bagels to the baking sheet and generously sprinkle asiago cheese over the surface.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the bagels achieve a rich, golden-brown color.
11. Remove from the oven and allow the bagels to cool completely before slicing to maintain their structural integrity.

Notes

• Elevate breakfast with these cheesy, golden-brown bagels that transform your morning routine.
• Asiago cheese adds a rich, nutty flavor that melts perfectly into each handcrafted bagel’s surface.
• Homemade bagels require patience but reward you with an incredible taste that store-bought versions can’t match.

• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 360 mg
• Fat: 4 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg