With just three base ingredients, these easy bagels are a most delicious breakfast to share with the kids. The 3-Ingredient Bagels include a substantial amount of protein to fuel us, are soft and easy for littles to chew, and are just so yummy!
We love bagels in our house, and for those times I run out or simply want a homemade option, this easy bagel recipe is the one that I turn to. I love that this dough comes together in minutes, that we can add any toppings we like, and that they are soft and tender—which means them super easy for little kids to chew.
These are great fresh out of the oven, toasted with cream cheese or butter, as bread for a sandwich (I love that option!), and just as a high protein toddler breakfast.
They taste similar to store-bought bagels and are one of the easiest homemade bagel recipes I know…which makes them a real win to me!
(You may also like my Greek Yogurt Pizza Dough and Cottage Cheese Bagels, which use similar ingredients, and my Baked Donuts as other homemade options.)
Table of Contents
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Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to have on hand to make 3-Ingredient Bagels so you know what to pick up from the store or have ready.
- Flour: I use all-purpose flour here to ensure the easy bagels are fluffy, tender, and have the best texture.
- Baking powder: Adding baking powder to the bagel batter means you don’t have to wait for yeast to activate and there’s no substantial kneading required.
- Greek yogurt: I use plain, whole-milk Greek yogurt here to add protein and moisture to the bagel batter mixture. This type of yogurt works best.
- Salt (optional but recommended): Adding a little salt to the batter ensures that the bagels have the best flavor.
- Egg (optional): For a golden finish to the tops of the bagels, you can brush with a little egg wash. You can skip it to make things easier or if there is an egg allergy.
- Sesame seeds, everything bagel seasoning, coarse salt (optional): Add any of these to the tops of the bagels (it adheres best if you use the egg wash) to add flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a preview of how to make these 3-Ingredient Bagels so you know what to expect from the process. Scroll down to the end of this post for the full information, including the amounts and the timing.
Step 1. Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and yogurt to a large bowl. Stir together with a fork to make a crumbly dough. Knead lightly.
Step 2. Divide the dough into 4 equal portions.
Step 3. Form into balls. Roll into a tube and form a circle. (the dough will be sticky). Place onto the prepared baking pan.
Step 4. Optional: Brush with egg and sprinkle with seasoning. Bake until golden brown..
TIP: You can eat these warm out of the oven, or let them cool and slice and toast them lightly and add the toppings you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can substitute self-rising flour in place of the all-purpose flour. You will just also want to change the amount of the baking powder added, so see the Notes at the end of the recipe for the details.
Let cool fully, then store in an airtight container or bag. You can store them at room temperature for about 3 days or in the fridge for a week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. (I recommend slicing them before you freeze them so they are easy to toast.)
Yes, though the fat content in whole milk Greek yogurt adds tenderness and is useful for the diet of a toddler as they need fat for brain development. (Fat can also help us feel full a little longer!)
How to Store
Let the 3-ingredient bagels cool fully, then store in an airtight container or bag. You can store them at room temperature for about 3 days or in the fridge for a week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
(I recommend slicing them before you freeze them so they are easy to toast.)
Best Tips for Success
- Toast and top with cream cheese, butter, or another favorite topping.
- Use self-rising flour in place of the all-purpose and add just ½ teaspoon baking powder.
- Double the recipe to make more.
Related Recipes
Dinner
10-Minute Bagel Pizzas
Recipes
No-Knead Whole Wheat Bread
Baby Food
Bread for Babies and Toddlers
Snacks
Easy Yogurt Flatbread
I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please rate and comment below!
3-Ingredient Bagels (Fast and EASY)
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ teaspoon salt (optional but recommended)
- 1 egg (lightly beaten; optional)
- sesame seeds, everything bagel seasoning, coarse salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with olive oil.
- Add the flour, baking powder, yogurt, and salt (if using) to a large bowl. Stir together with a fork to make a crumbly dough. Then, knead lightly with your hand a few times to bring it fully together and make sure that the flour and yogurt are evenly combined.
- (The dough may be a little sticky, so expect that. You can add a little more flour as needed, 1 tablespoon at a time. You can can coat your fingers and/or the bagels with a little flour as you work. Or wash your hands halfway through which will help, too.)
- Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Form into balls. Roll into a tube about 8 inches long, and form a circle. Place onto the prepared baking pan.
- Optional: Brush with egg and sprinkle with seasoning.
- Bake for 24-26 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack.
Equipment
Notes
- Let bagels cool fully, then store in an airtight container or bag. You can store them at room temperature for about 3 days or in the fridge for a week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. (I recommend slicing them before you freeze them so they are easy to toast.)
- Toast and top with cream cheese, butter, or another favorite topping.
- Use self-rising flour in place of the all-purpose and add just ½ teaspoon baking powder.
- Double the recipe to make more.
I was very skeptical, but these were an absolute home run for me, my husband, and our 6 year old! We’ve made them several times and found that you do need extra flour on the dough or your hands to help with the stickiness. We live in a very humid area and ours needed a few extra minutes in the oven. I also found it helpful to mix the flour, salt, and baking powder first and then add the yogurt. Go ahead and double the recipe, brush the egg on top, and sprinkle the top with everything but the bagel seasoning…yum!
yum
These came out so good! I didnt have self rising flour but the baking powder trick worked. Picky toddler approved!
Very easy to make, i think next time im going to make the holes a little smaller to eat them with breakfast sandwiches. they are super tasty
Glad you liked them!
Skepticism runs in my veins! I love it when I am proven wrong. These were so delicious that I had to share the link with all my friends. Thank you for posting this great recipe! They were crispy on the outside, light, fluffy, and flavorful on the inside. I ate way more than I should have.
Hi Amy!
I made these and despite following the recipe exactly, they came out super gummy inside.
I even gave them a few extra minutes in the oven, but no luck.
I did use cup for cup GF flour – but it looks like others had success with that?
Any tips?
Thank you!
Love everything about these bagels! Easy? Check. Ingredients already at home? Check! Makes a reasonable batch so we’re not eating only bagels for the next 4 days? Check!
These came out so so good! Made them for myself as a test batch. Do you think whole wheat flour would work the same? Thanks!
Worked perfectly!! I used Chobani non-fat greek yogurt bc that’s what I had, and it was not too sticky. I baked these on the bake setting of my air fryer and had to bake a few minutes longer than listed. They are SO GOOD, even the most skeptical of non-traditional recipes in my house loved them, and I’m ready to make a quadruple batch! Thanks for another great, easy, delicious recipe!!
Hi making these now!! any thoughts on how to make a cinnamon raisin version? Or whole wheat? Thanks!
Do you think forager coconut & cashew yogurt would work?