08/13/2026
Stuffed Bagels
These Stuffed Bagels take homemade bagels to the next level with a warm, creamy center packed with cheddar cheese, savory beef bacon, and cream cheese. Each bagel is boiled for that classic chewy texture, coated with everything bagel seasoning, and baked until golden and crisp outside with a rich, gooey filling inside. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a satisfying grab-and-go snack!
Ingredients
For the Bagel Dough:
4 cups all-purpose flour
2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
1½ tablespoons granulated sugar
1½ teaspoons salt
1¼ cups warm water
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 large egg
For the Filling:
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup cooked beef bacon, finely chopped
4 oz cream cheese, softened
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
For Boiling:
8 cups water
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon baking soda
For the Topping:
1 egg, beaten
3 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning
Instructions
Start the dough by combining the warm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast in a large bowl. Leave it undisturbed for about 5 minutes, allowing the yeast to activate and become lightly frothy.
Add the all-purpose flour, salt, melted butter, and egg to the activated yeast mixture. Stir until everything forms a shaggy dough.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 7–9 minutes, working it until it feels smooth, soft, and elastic.
Place the kneaded dough inside a lightly greased bowl. Cover it and let it rest somewhere warm for about 1 hour, or until it has nearly doubled in size.
While the dough is rising, prepare the creamy filling. Add the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped cooked beef bacon, garlic powder, and black pepper to a medium bowl.
Mix the filling thoroughly until the cream cheese is evenly distributed and the ingredients are well combined. Set it aside until the dough is ready.
Once the dough has doubled, gently press it down to release the excess air. Divide it evenly into 8 portions.
Shape each portion into a smooth ball, then flatten it into a thick round. Keep the middle of each piece slightly thicker while leaving enough room around the edges to seal the filling.
Place a generous spoonful of the cheddar, cream cheese, and beef bacon mixture directly in the center of each dough round.
Carefully bring the dough up around the filling and pinch the edges together firmly. Make sure there are no openings, then gently roll each stuffed piece between your hands until it becomes smooth and sealed.
Meanwhile, pour the 8 cups of water into a large pot and bring it to a gentle boil. Stir in the honey and baking soda.
Carefully lower the stuffed bagels into the hot water, working in small batches to prevent overcrowding. Boil each bagel for approximately 30 seconds on one side, then turn and boil for another 30 seconds.
Use a slotted spoon to lift the bagels from the water, allowing the excess water to drain away. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Brush the surface of each boiled bagel generously with the beaten egg, making sure the egg wash reaches all the exposed areas.
Sprinkle the everything bagel seasoning generously over the egg-washed bagels. Lightly press the seasoning onto the surface so it stays in place while baking.
Place the bagels in a preheated 425°F oven and bake for 20–24 minutes, until the outside is deeply golden brown and crisp and the cheese filling inside is hot, melted, and bubbling.
Remove the stuffed bagels from the oven and let them rest for 5–10 minutes. Serve them warm and slice one open to reveal the creamy cheddar and savory beef bacon center.