Montreal Bagel

Montreal bagels have this whole personality to them— they’re not just bagels, they’re a cultural flex.

They’re hand‑rolled, boiled in honey‑sweetened water, and baked in a wood‑fired oven, which gives them that iconic combo: chewy, slightly sweet, deeply golden, and never perfectly round. They’re smaller than New York bagels, denser, and feel more like a craft food

Yield: 12–15 bagels

Prep time: 20 mins | Rise time: 30–45 mins | Bake time: 20–25 mins 

Ingredients

The Dough:

• Warm Water: 1 ½ cups (lukewarm, approx. 100°F)
• Yeast: 1 package (2 ¼ tsp) active dry or instant yeast
• Sweetener: ¼ cup granulated sugar + 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
• Oil: 3 tbsp canola or vegetable oil
• Egg: 1 large egg (plus 1 egg yolk for extra richness, optional)
• Flour: 4 to 4 ½ cups bread flour (all-purpose also works)
• Salt: 1 tsp (traditional Montreal bagels often use very little salt) 

The Boiling Liquid:

• Water: 12–16 cups
• Honey: ⅓ to ½ cup (the "secret" to the signature sweetness) 

Toppings:

• Pepper Tree Spice Co. Best Bagel Seasoning

Instructions

1. Mix & Knead: In a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk water, sugar, yeast, oil, egg, and maple syrup. Gradually add flour and salt. Knead for 8–12 minutes until the dough is firm and smooth.
2. Short Rise: Cover the dough and let it rest in a warm spot for about 30 minutes (Montreal bagels don't require a long proof).
3. Shape: Divide dough into 12–15 pieces. Roll each into an 8–10 inch rope. Wrap the rope around your hand, overlapping the ends and rolling them against the counter to seal.
4. Boil: Bring the water and honey to a gentle boil. Drop bagels in batches; boil for 45–60 seconds per side. They should look slightly puffed.
5. Coat: While still damp, immediately dredge both sides of the bagel in a bowl of Pepper Tree Spice Best Bagel Seasoning.
6. Bake: Place on a parchment-lined sheet. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway through for even browning, until deep golden.

Buy our Best Bagel Seasoning here 👉 https://peppertreespice.com › products › best-bagel-seasoning