Bagel Bites Food

EVERYTHING BAGEL BOMBS

Steps:

• For the dough: Sprinkle the yeast over 1 1/2 cups warm water (not over 110 degrees F) and allow it to bloom. When it has bloomed, the mixture will bubble a bit.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the flour and salt. With the mixer running on low, drizzle in the olive oil and mix until combined. Pour in the yeast mixture and mix until a dough forms.
• Drizzle roughly 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium bowl and coat the sides of the bowl with it. This will prevent the dough from sticking. Tip the dough into the oiled bowl, form a ball with it and gently coat it lightly with the residual olive oil on the sides. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise in a warm place until roughly double in size, at least 1 hour.
• For the filling: Combine the cream cheese, Cheddar and ham in a large mixing bowl. Stir until well combined. Set aside.
• For the everything bagel seasoning: Mix together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sea salt, onion flakes, garlic flakes and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Add the honey and 10 cups water to a large pot and bring to a boil.
• Once the dough has risen, divide it into 16 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball. Lightly flour a work surface and use a rolling pin to roll each ball into a 4-inch circle roughly 1/4 inch thick. Top each circle with 3 tablespoons of the filling. Pull the dough up and around the filling, pinching the seam at the top. Make sure you fully encase the filling. Place the finished bombs seam-side down on a greased baking sheet.
• Add the bagel bombs to the boiling water in batches of 4; boil for 1 minute, flipping halfway through. Remove to a separate baking sheet and top each with a generous pinch of the everything bagel seasoning blend.
• Once all of the balls of dough have been boiled, transfer them to another greased baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Enjoy!
• Freezer Directions: Follow the steps above and allow the bagel bombs to cool completely after baking, roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour. Place in the freezer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Remove and individually wrap each bomb in foil. Return them to the freezer to fully freeze.
• When ready to eat, remove a bagel bomb (or more) from the freezer. Remove the foil and wrap the bomb in a paper towel. Microwave for 90 seconds or until cooked through. Allow it to sit for 1 minute before taking out of the microwave. Unwrap and enjoy!

HOMEMADE BAGELS

Steps:

• Combine the water, yeast, and 3 tablespoons of the sugar in the bowl of an upright mixer fitted with a dough hook. Stir and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Gradually add 4 cups of the flour and the salt, and mix until the mixture comes together.
• Add 1 to 1 1/2 cups additional flour 1/2 cup at a time to make a stiff dough, either stirring with the wooden spoon or working with your hands. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and no longer sticky, about 5 minutes, adding just as much flour as needed. (Dough should be heavier and stiffer than regular yeast bread dough.)
• Grease a large bowl with 1 teaspoon of the oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until almost doubled, about 1 hour.
• Grease a baking sheet with the remaining teaspoon of oil.
• Remove the dough from the bowl and punch it down. Divide into 12 equal pieces, about 2 to 3 ounces each, measuring about 4 inches across. Form each piece of dough into a ball. Roll each ball into a 4 to 6-inch log. Join the ends and place fingers through the hole and roll the ends together. Repeat with the remaining dough. Place on the prepared baking sheet, cover with a clean cloth, and let rest until risen but not doubled in a draft-free spot, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Sprinkle the cornmeal on another baking sheet.
• In a large, heavy pot, bring 12 cups of water and the remaining tablespoon of sugar to a boil. In batches, add the bagels to the water and boil, turning, for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Dip the bagel tops in desired toppings. Flip bagels onto the prepared sheet pan. Bake for 5 minutes, turn over and cook for another 30 to 35 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.