Rainbow bagels are colorful, fun, and perfect for brightening your day! These chewy, sweet bagels swirl with bright colors, making them a treat for both the eyes and your taste buds!
Making these bagels is like art in the kitchen. I love crafting them and watching the colors mix. Pair them with cream cheese, and you’ve got a breakfast that’s as cheerful as it is tasty!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-purpose flour: This is the backbone of your bagels. If you need a gluten-free option, consider a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. It may alter the texture slightly, but the colors will still pop!
Active dry yeast: Essential for that perfect rise! If you have instant yeast, you can use the same amount. It doesn’t need to be dissolved first, making it easier to incorporate.
Food coloring gels: These give the bagels their vibrant hues. If you don’t have gels, liquid food coloring works too, though you may need more. For natural colors, try beet juice, turmeric, or spirulina!
Honey or barley malt syrup: This is optional but adds a touch of sweetness and helps achieve that shiny bagel crust during boiling. Maple syrup can be a good substitute if you don’t have these at hand.
Colored sugar sprinkles: They make the bagels extra fun! If you can’t find them, try using coarse sugar or simply skip this step – the bagels are pretty as is!
How Do I Get My Dough to Rise Perfectly?
Letting the dough rise properly is crucial for airy bagels. Here’s how to get it right:
- Make sure your yeast is fresh and activated – it should be bubbly after sitting in warm water.
- After kneading, place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth to keep it from drying out.
- Let it rise in a warm spot, like near a preheated oven or on a sunny windowsill, for about 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
Doing this gives your bagels the perfect texture and chewiness. Keep an eye on them; you want to catch that peak rising time for the best results!
How to Make Rainbow Bagels
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Bagel Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp active dry yeast
- 1 ½ tbsp sugar
- 1 ¼ cup warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 1 ½ tsp salt
For The Color:
- Food coloring gels (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
For Boiling:
- 1 tbsp honey or barley malt syrup (optional for boiling water)
For Topping:
- Colored sugar sprinkles (optional for topping)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This Rainbow Bagel recipe takes about 15 minutes of prep time, plus 30 minutes of rising time, and finally 20-25 minutes of baking time. So, in total, you’re looking at around 1 hour and 10 minutes, plus maybe some extra time for cooling before enjoying your colorful creation!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Activate the Yeast:
Start by taking a small bowl and dissolve the active dry yeast in warm water. Add a pinch of sugar and let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes. You’re looking for it to get frothy, which means the yeast is alive and ready to work its magic!
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, the remaining sugar, and the salt. Mix everything together well so that the salt and sugar are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
3. Create the Dough:
Now it’s time to pour your frothy yeast mixture into the flour mixture. Knead everything together until you have a smooth dough. If you’re doing this by hand, it should take about 8-10 minutes, but if you’re using a stand mixer, just 5 minutes should be enough!
4. Divide for Color:
Divide your lovely dough into 6 equal portions—one for each color of the rainbow. It’s time to bring some life to this dough!
5. Add the Colors:
Take each portion and add a few drops of food coloring gel to it. Now, knead each colored piece until the color is evenly mixed in. Don’t be afraid to get your hands a bit messy; it’s part of the fun!
6. Shape the Dough:
Roll each colored piece into ropes of equal length. You want them to be long enough to create a nice swirl when you twist them together.
7. Twisting It All Together:
Lay the ropes side-by-side and gently twist and fold them to create a beautiful multicolored swirl. Then, shape the twisted dough into bagels by connecting the ends together to form rings.
8. Let Them Rise:
Cover your colorful bagels with a damp cloth and let them rise for about 30 minutes. This will help them become nice and fluffy!
9. Boil the Bagels:
While they’re rising, start preheating a large pot of water. If you’re using honey or barley malt syrup, add it to the water. Bring it to a boil!
10. Cooking Time:
Once the water is boiling, carefully add 2-3 bagels at a time and boil them for 1 minute on each side. This step gives the bagels that classic chewy texture!
11. Transfer to Baking Sheet:
Using a slotted spoon, remove the bagels from the water and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure they have some space to breathe!
12. Add Sprinkles:
While the bagels are still wet, sprinkle colored sugar or sprinkles on top to make them extra festive. They’ll stick better this way!
13. Bake to Perfection:
Now, pop the bagels in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on them—they should turn golden brown and be cooked through.
14. Cool and Enjoy:
Once baked, let your Rainbow Bagels cool on a wire rack for a bit before serving. They’re best enjoyed fresh, maybe with a little cream cheese or plain alongside your favorite dips!
Enjoy your vibrant and delicious Rainbow Bagels!
Can I Use Different Types of Flour for Rainbow Bagels?
Yes, you can experiment with different flours! For a healthier option, whole wheat flour can work, though it may change the texture slightly. If you need gluten-free bagels, use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend, but keep in mind that this may result in a different chewiness.
What If I Don’t Have Food Coloring Gels?
No worries! You can use liquid food coloring instead, just be mindful that it might take a bit more to achieve the same vibrancy. Alternatively, natural colorings like beet juice for red, turmeric for yellow, or spinach puree for green can create lovely pastel shades if you prefer a more natural approach.
How Should I Store Leftover Bagels?
Store any leftover bagels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply leave them out at room temperature or pop them in a toaster for a few minutes!
Can I Make These Bagels Without Boiling?
Boiling is essential for the chewy texture characteristic of bagels. However, if you’re lacking the time, you can bake them directly, but be prepared for them to be more like bread rolls than traditional bagels!