I made bagels and they turned out very tough?

Question

It was my first time trying and I follwed the recipe exactly. What do you think I did wrong?

Answer 1

There are a couple of possible explanations. Some brands of flour just doesn't work well for making bagels. Experiment with various brands until you find one that works well. Too much salt and not enough sugar can play a big factor in how flour will react with yeast, as well.

Another possibility is that you overboiled them, assuming that you *did* boil them in the first place. If you didn't, next time, try a recipe that calls for boiling the bagel. That's a big secret in getting them chewy but not tough.

Also, your yeast may not have been very good. Some yeast that's about dead will still give you moderate rising, and in the case of bagel making, you wouldn't necessarily notice the problem. Proof the yeast the next time, and if it's not good and frothy, it's on its way out. Discard and buy fresh yeast.

If you try making bagels again and they're still tough, let me know. I've got a cookbook by the Lender company that's nothing but bagel recipes, and I'll try to see if I can find something else in there that might help you.

Answer 2

My friend owns a bagel bakery and when they boil them they put a tablespoon of baking soda in the water( 1 tablespoon for every 6 bagels). They, also, never use dried yeast-sometimes if it's old or too cold(in the fridge) it just will not react. They proof the yeast in water with a bit of sugar and then add it to the flour and knead gently.
They, also use flour for bread-not all purpose flour.

Answer 3

You probably kneaded the dough just a little too much the more you knead the tougher the bread.

Answer 4

if u buy the bagels at the store they r alot easier to make. all u have to do is get out as many bagels as u want then cut them in half, stick them in your oven (a toaster oven is what i use) as long as u want to then take them out and eat them ( i have to put spread on mine)

Answer 5

I don't know, but just buy bagels from a bakery its allot easier.

Answer 6

you over kneeded the dough and didn't let it rest long enough.

Answer 7

prolly let them cook too long