Honey Whole Wheat Bagels (Print version)

Soft whole wheat bagels with a touch of honey paired with a light, creamy yogurt dip.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Bagels

01 - 2 cups whole wheat flour
02 - 1 cup bread flour
03 - 1 scoop unflavored whey protein powder
04 - 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
05 - 1¼ cups warm water at 110°F
06 - 2 tablespoons honey
07 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

→ For Boiling

08 - 1 tablespoon honey
09 - 2 quarts water

→ For the Fluffy Yogurt Dip

10 - 1 cup Greek yogurt, plain 2% or full fat
11 - 2 tablespoons honey
12 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
13 - ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
14 - Pinch of sea salt

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine whole wheat flour, bread flour, protein powder, and salt. Mix thoroughly to distribute protein powder evenly.
02 - In a separate bowl, stir honey into warm water until dissolved. Sprinkle yeast over the water and let sit for 5 minutes until slightly foamy.
03 - Add the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead by hand or with a dough hook for 8 to 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
05 - Punch down the dough and divide into 8 equal pieces. Shape each into a ball, then poke a hole in the center and gently stretch into a bagel shape with a 2-inch hole.
06 - Place shaped bagels on a parchment-lined tray, cover lightly with a damp cloth, and let rest for 10 minutes.
07 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Bring 2 quarts of water to a gentle boil in a large pot and stir in 1 tablespoon honey.
08 - Working in batches, boil bagels for 1 minute per side. Remove with a slotted spoon and return to the parchment-lined tray.
09 - Bake bagels for 18 to 22 minutes, until golden brown and firm. Cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before serving.
10 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk Greek yogurt, honey, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and salt together until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes of whisking.
11 - Serve cooled bagels with the fluffy yogurt dip on the side.

# Tips from the pros:

01 -
  • These bagels stay soft and chewy for days, unlike store-bought ones that go stale by afternoon.
  • You get a real protein boost without any of that chalky, artificial taste that ruins so many health-focused recipes.
  • The yogurt dip is so light and fluffy it feels like you're eating clouds, but it's actually full of Greek yogurt goodness.
  • Homemade bagels cost a fraction of what the bagel shop charges and taste infinitely better.
02 -
  • The boiling step is non-negotiable and separates real bagels from dense bread with a hole—it sets the crust and creates that signature chew you can't fake in the oven alone.
  • If your dough feels sticky after kneading, resist the urge to add more flour; whole wheat absorbs water slowly, so give it 5 more minutes of kneading and it'll transform.
  • Protein powder can sometimes make dough behave unpredictably depending on the brand, so if your first batch feels off, adjust water by a tablespoon next time.
03 -
  • Toast these bagels lightly even if you eat them fresh—it wakes up the flavor and gives you better texture contrast with the creamy dip.
  • Brush the boiled bagels with a light egg wash before baking if you want an extra glossy, professional-looking crust.
  • Add poppy seeds, sesame seeds, or everything bagel seasoning right after boiling while the bagels are still wet and sticky.
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