Homemade Asiago Cheese Bagels Recipe: Crispy & Flavorful Joy

Warm, golden bagels fresh from the oven can turn an ordinary morning into something extraordinary.

Soft, pillowy dough studded with savory asiago cheese creates a breakfast delight that awakens every taste bud.

The robust, nutty flavor of asiago cheese nestled within these homemade bagels promises a delectable start to your day.

Bakers and breakfast lovers alike will adore how these bagels blend rustic charm with gourmet flair.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of crisp exterior and tender, cheesy interior.

These asiago cheese bagels bring restaurant-quality comfort right to your kitchen.

Get ready to savor a breakfast experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Tips for Baking Asiago Cheese Bagels

• Cheese Lover's Delight: Sprinkle extra asiago cheese on top after baking for an intense cheesy punch that melts beautifully.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare bagel dough the night before and refrigerate for a slow rise, developing deeper flavor and saving morning preparation time.
• Texture Tweak: For crispier exterior, brush bagels with egg wash before adding cheese to create a golden, shiny crust that adds professional bakery appeal.
• Flavor Fusion: Experiment with adding dried herbs like rosemary or thyme directly into the dough for an aromatic twist that complements the asiago's rich taste.
• Storage Wisdom: Keep bagels in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or freeze for up to a month by wrapping individually in plastic wrap and placing in a freezer bag.

Presentation Tips for Asiago Cheese Bagels

• Breakfast Brilliance: Slice these warm asiago bagels and spread creamy butter or herb-infused cream cheese for a luxurious morning treat.
• Sandwich Sensation: Layer sliced turkey, fresh lettuce, and tangy mustard between two halves for a gourmet lunch that will impress colleagues and friends.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra asiago cheese on top after toasting, or melt provolone for an extra cheesy experience that highlights the bagel's rich flavor profile.
• Appetizer Adventure: Cut into smaller pieces, toast lightly, and serve with olive tapenade or sundried tomato spread for an elegant party starter that guests will adore.

How to Keep Asiago Cheese Bagels Fresh

• Fresh Batch Strategy: Prepare bagels on weekends and freeze individual portions for quick weekday breakfasts or snacks. Wrap each bagel tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags to maintain optimal freshness.
• Refrigeration Wisdom: Store cooled bagels in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Place a paper towel inside to absorb excess moisture and prevent sogginess. Keep at room temperature for maximum flavor retention.
• Reheating Magic: Revive refrigerated or frozen bagels by toasting in a conventional oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain crispy exterior and soft interior texture.
• Smart Portioning: Slice bagels before freezing for easier grab-and-go options. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow quick individual bagel removal when needed.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 280 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients for Asiago Cheese Bagels

• Active Dry Yeast: Magical microorganisms that help the dough rise and develop a light, airy texture, choose fresh packets with recent expiration dates.
• Honey, Light Brown Sugar: Natural sweeteners that feed the yeast and create a subtle caramelized flavor, opt for pure, unprocessed varieties.

• Asiago Cheese: Sharp, nutty Italian cheese that adds robust depth and creamy richness, select freshly shredded for maximum melting potential.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and helps control yeast activity, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Flour: Provides the fundamental framework for bagel texture, high-gluten or bread flour ensures a chewy, sturdy result with excellent rise.
• Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and adds a subtle smoothness to the dough, choose extra virgin for best quality.
• Water: Activates yeast and hydrates ingredients, use very warm but not boiling temperature for optimal yeast performance.

Tools to Prepare Asiago Cheese Bagels

• Stand Mixer: Essential for kneading and mixing dough smoothly and efficiently.
• Bread Hook Attachment: Perfect for working the dough without manual effort.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Needed for combining ingredients and letting dough rise.
• Parchment-Lined Baking Sheet: Prevents sticking and ensures easy bagel removal.
• Large Pot: Used for boiling bagels before baking.
• Measuring Cups: Crucial for precise flour and ingredient measurements.
• Plastic Wrap: Helps cover dough during rising process.
• Kitchen Towel: Provides additional cover for dough while rising.
• Slotted Spoon: Helps remove bagels from boiling water safely.

How to Make Asiago Cheese Bagels from Scratch

• Yeast Activation

Combine water, yeast, and honey in a stand mixer bowl. Let the mixture become frothy and bubbly, which signals the yeast is awakening and ready to create magic.

• Dough Formation

Add salt and flour to the activated yeast. Mix using a bread hook, gradually incorporating additional flour until the dough transforms into a smooth, soft texture that doesn’t stick to your fingers.

• First Rise

Shape the dough into a perfect round, place in an oiled bowl, and cover. Allow the dough to rest and expand, nearly doubling in size during this peaceful hour.

• Bagel Shaping

Gently divide the dough into portions, rolling each into a soft ball. Create a center hole in each piece, letting them rest and grow slightly puffy.

• Water Bath

Briefly submerge each bagel in sweetened water, giving them a quick bath that will create their signature chewy exterior and glossy finish.

• Cheese Topping

Sprinkle asiago cheese generously over each bagel, ensuring a rich, golden coating that will melt beautifully during baking.

• Baking

Slide the bagels into a preheated oven, transforming them into golden, crispy delights with a soft, tender interior. Once cooled, slice and enjoy.

Heavenly Asiago Cheese Bagels Recipe

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• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade asiago cheese bagels deliver a luxurious blend of tangy cheese and chewy bread. Bakers can craft these gourmet bagels with simple ingredients and enjoy a satisfying culinary adventure that brings bakery-style comfort directly to home kitchens.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 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 ml) very warm water (not boiling)
• 8 oz (226 g) freshly shredded asiago cheese
• 2 packets active dry yeast (quick rising)
• 2 tbsps honey
• 2 tbsps light brown sugar
• 2 tsps salt
• Olive oil for greasing

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Combine warm water, honey, and yeast in a stand mixer bowl, allowing the mixture to become frothy and bubbly, signaling active yeast.
2. Dough Formation: Integrate salt and flour into the yeast mixture using a bread hook, gradually adding flour until the dough transforms into a smooth, cohesive texture that cleanly separates from the bowl’s sides.
3. Kneading and First Rise: Develop the dough’s elasticity through thorough kneading, then shape into a compact disc. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm environment until volume doubles.
4. Shaping and Second Rise: Gently deflate the risen dough, divide into 15 uniform balls, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Allow a second rise for 30 minutes while preheating the oven to 400°F.
5. Water Bath Preparation: Create a large pot of water mixed with brown sugar. Carefully form a hole in the center of each dough ball to achieve the classic bagel shape.
6. Boiling Process: Gently lower bagels into the water bath, boiling 3 at a time. Cook for 2 minutes on one side, then flip and boil for an additional 30 seconds to develop a characteristic texture.
7. Final Baking: Return boiled bagels to the baking sheet, generously sprinkle with asiago cheese, and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until achieving a rich, golden-brown color.
8. Cooling and Serving: Remove from the oven and allow bagels to cool completely before slicing to preserve their structural integrity and optimal texture.

Notes

• Proof Yeast Carefully: Ensure water is warm (110-115°F) to activate yeast without killing it, creating a frothy mixture within 5-10 minutes.
• Knead for Texture: Develop gluten by kneading 8-10 minutes, creating a smooth, elastic dough that springs back when touched.
• Boil Before Baking: Water bath with brown sugar creates signature chewy exterior and glossy finish, critical for authentic bagel texture.
• Cool Completely: Allow bagels to rest at room temperature for optimal texture and prevent crushing delicate internal structure.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg