If you’re looking for a breakfast or brunch option that’s nothing short of magical, the Cream Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bagels Recipe will absolutely win you over. Imagine biting into a soft, chewy bagel only to discover a molten pocket of creamy cheese at the center — pure bliss! Every bite delivers layers of garlicky, buttery flavor and a luxurious, melty cream cheese core. These bagels are a bit indulgent, undeniably comforting, and certain to impress both family and special guests.
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s something wonderful about how each simple ingredient transforms in this Cream Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bagels Recipe. Every component builds on the last — from the airy bread flour to the irresistible garlic butter finish. Here’s what you’ll need, plus a little insight into why each item deserves a spot in your kitchen lineup!
- Active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons, 1 packet): The essential starting point for getting that old-fashioned bagel rise and delicious chewiness.
- Granulated sugar (1 tablespoon): Feeds the yeast and helps brown the bagels beautifully.
- Warm water (1 1/4 cups, about 110°F): The perfect temperature helps activate the yeast quickly.
- Bread flour (3 1/2 cups, plus more for dusting): High-protein bread flour gives you that signature bagel texture — dense but still tender.
- Salt (1 1/2 teaspoons): Balances flavors and enhances the dough, bringing everything together with seasoning.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces, cut into 8 cubes and frozen): Freezing helps the cheese stay melty in the center, giving you that dreamy filling after baking.
- For boiling – Water (8 cups): The water bath is the secret to creating that classic, shiny bagel crust.
- For boiling – Honey or sugar (2 tablespoons): Just a touch in the boiling water for a hint of sweetness and a golden finish.
- For topping – Melted butter (2 tablespoons): The foundation of the ultra-flavorful garlic coating.
- For topping – Garlic (2 cloves, minced): The star of the show, infusing each bite with savory, fragrant goodness.
- For topping – Dried parsley or Italian seasoning (1 tablespoon): Adds a pop of color and an extra herby layer.
- For topping – Flaky sea salt (1/2 teaspoon): That final sprinkle makes everything sing — don’t skip it!
How to Make Cream Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bagels Recipe
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Begin by combining the warm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast in a large mixing bowl. Let the mixture sit for about 5 to 10 minutes, watching as it gets foamy. This is your signal that the yeast is alive and ready to create those beautifully risen bagels. If there’s no foam, your yeast may be expired, so it’s worth double-checking before moving on.
Step 2: Make the Dough
Add the bread flour and salt to the activated yeast mixture. Use a spoon or dough hook on a stand mixer to combine until you have a shaggy dough. Then, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8 to 10 minutes, until the dough feels smooth and elastic beneath your hands. This is the moment when your kitchen begins to fill with the promise of fresh bagels!
Step 3: First Rise
Place your kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size. This resting time is crucial, allowing the gluten to develop and giving the bagels their unbeatable chew.
Step 4: Shape and Stuff
Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Flatten each piece gently into a small disk, then take one cube of frozen cream cheese and wrap the dough around it. Pinch the edges to seal tightly — you don’t want any filling leaks! Roll each ball gently and poke a hole through the center with your finger, stretching until you have a lovely bagel shape. Repeat for all and space them onto a parchment-lined tray. Cover and let them rest for 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 5: Boil the Bagels
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Stir in the honey or sugar. Working in batches, boil two bagels at a time for about one minute on each side. This step locks in that classic shiny exterior and gives you a bagel that’s crisp outside and plush inside. Return them to the baking sheet once boiled.
Step 6: Brush with Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, minced garlic, and your choice of dried parsley or Italian seasoning. Generously brush this garlicky mixture all over the boiled bagels, making sure each one gets a hearty dose of flavor. Sprinkle the tops with flaky sea salt for an irresistible, crave-worthy crunch.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slide the tray of bagels into the oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until they’re deeply golden and your whole kitchen smells like a dream bakery. Allow the bagels to cool slightly before you dig in — that molten cream cheese center is hot!
How to Serve Cream Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bagels Recipe
Garnishes
Just before serving, add an extra sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives for a touch of color and freshness. For even more drama, you can dust on some extra flaky salt or cracked black pepper. Simple garnishes make this Cream Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bagels Recipe look as special as it tastes.
Side Dishes
For a true café-style breakfast, serve your bagels alongside a crisp green salad, fresh slices of tomato, or even a refreshing fruit bowl. If you’re feeling fancy, a gently poached egg or a side of smoked salmon beautifully complements the garlicky, cheesy goodness in every bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your bagels in half to show off that glorious, melty cream cheese core — the cross-section always impresses! For brunch gatherings, arrange them on a big platter with an assortment of dipping sauces like herbed cream cheese, salsa verde, or a simple honey drizzle. Don’t forget a stack of napkins; they’re delightfully messy in the best possible way!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra bagels (rare, but it happens!), let them cool to room temperature. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The garlic butter flavor deepens overnight, so you might find them even tastier the next day!
Freezing
This Cream Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bagels Recipe freezes beautifully. Once the bagels have completely cooled, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. You can freeze both baked and unbaked boiled bagels. When a bagel craving hits, you’ll be just a few steps away from homemade, fresh flavor.
Reheating
For best results, reheat bagels in a 350°F oven for about 8–10 minutes, straight from the fridge or freezer. The outside crisps up while the inside turns warm and gooey again. Avoid the microwave, as it can make the bread chewy instead of delightfully crisp!
FAQs
Can I add herbs or spices to the cream cheese filling?
Absolutely! Chopped chives, cracked black pepper, or a pinch of dried herbs blend beautifully into the cream cheese before freezing. It’s a super easy way to add a signature twist to your batch.
Why do I need to freeze the cream cheese before using?
Freezing the cream cheese chunks keeps them from melting too quickly and leaking out while the bagels bake. This trick gives you that perfect, gooey core that makes the Cream Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bagels Recipe so special.
Do I have to use bread flour, or can I substitute all-purpose?
Bread flour really does create the best chewy texture, but you can use all-purpose flour in a pinch. The result will be softer and less dense, but still absolutely delicious!
Can I make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate?
Yes, you can make the dough the night before. After the first rise, cover it well and refrigerate overnight. Let it come back to room temperature before shaping, stuffing, and continuing with the recipe.
What’s the best way to store leftover bagels to keep them fresh?
Always let bagels cool completely before sealing them in an airtight container. They stay freshest in the fridge for up to three days, and a quick oven reheat brings them back to bakery-fresh perfection!
Final Thoughts
If you love baking for people you care about (or just enjoy treating yourself!), this Cream Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bagels Recipe is a must-try. Each bagel is a flavorful hug, with a crispy crust and an irresistible oozing center. Don’t be surprised if they disappear in record time — happy baking and enjoy every bite!
Print
Cream Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bagels Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes (including rise time)
- Yield: 8 bagels 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the irresistible combination of soft, chewy bagels with a surprise cream cheese center. These homemade Cream Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bagels are a savory breakfast delight that will have you reaching for seconds.
Ingredients
Bagel Dough:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 3 1/2 cups bread flour (plus more for dusting)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese (cut into 8 cubes and frozen)
- 8 cups water
- 2 tablespoons honey or sugar
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley or Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt
For Boiling:
For Topping:
Instructions
- Making the Dough: In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit until foamy. Add flour and salt, knead until smooth. Let rise.
- Shaping the Bagels: Divide dough, wrap cream cheese in each, shape into bagels, let rest.
- Boiling and Topping: Boil bagels in honey water, brush with garlic butter mixture, sprinkle with salt.
- Baking: Bake at 400°F for 18–22 minutes until golden. Serve warm.
Notes
- For extra flavor, mix chives or herbs into the cream cheese before freezing.
- Best enjoyed warm when the center is melty.
- You can also freeze unbaked bagels and boil + bake from frozen.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bagel
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
