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Easiest Homemade Cinnamon Crunch Bagels. For your weekend bagel fix…and every day in between. Made using pantry staples, a good amount of cinnamon, and a touch of sweet brown sugar. These bagels are chewy, extra cinnamony, perfectly sweet, and have a little crunch with every bite. Perfect to make on the weekend and enjoy throughout the week…bagel exquisiteness.

overhead photo of Homemade Cinnamon Crunch Bagels

I’ve been on a big breakfast kick the last couple weeks. I go through phases sometimes, and right now I am very much into all the breakfast foods. Last week alone I shared breakfast style potatoes and these (springy) lemon ricotta blueberry pancakes.

But this week? It is all about bagels. More specifically, cinnamon crunch bagels. 100% inspired by the Panera Bread cinnamon crunch bagels I used to love so much as a kid (anyone else?!). I created my own homemade version, and I dunno, I think they might just be better. To be fair, I have not had the Panera version since I was probably 10 years old. So it’s been a while, but, going from memory, I kinda think my homemade version is better.

Why? They have the perfect ratio of chewy bagel, to cinnamon sugar crunch. Meaning, they’re heavy on the cinnamon crunch, and that’s just the way they should be.

bageling boiling in water

Homemade Cinnamon Crunch Bagels before baking

Here’s the story.

I’ve actually been working on a good bagel recipe for over a year now. Yes, over a year. I first started the process back in January of 2018. And while I made multiple rounds of plain and sesame seed bagels, I just never came away with a bagel that was truly amazing. I gave up on the bagels sometime in February of 2018. But then January of 2019 rolled around and well…I had the desire to give the bagels another go.

After 4 or 5 rounds, I gave up. Again. It’s not that the bagels were bad, they tasted just fine. But you guys know me, I have my standards. I only like to share the very best recipes with you guys. Because of this I just never shared any of those bagels attempts.

But then I remember that a while back I created a recipe for cinnamon crunch bagels. As soon as I remember that, I knew I had to make a new and improved cinnamon crunch bagel. Because well, what’s better than a cinnamon crunch bagel?

Absolutely nothing.

Well, ok. I think this probably depends on just what you’re in the mood for. If you want a bagel…and you also want something sweet…then there’s nothing better than these bagels.

Homemade Cinnamon Crunch

Homemade Cinnamon Crunch Bagels on baking sheet

If you’ve never made bagels, do not fear, they are simple and easy, especially with this recipe.

My trick is to use instant yeast, which makes mixing up the dough super easy, and keeps the rising time very minimal. What’s really awesome, is that these bagels require no fancy ingredients. Just water, yeast, honey, flour, cinnamon, salt, and butter.

That’s it. And if you have a kitchen with anything stocked in it, then you most likely have these ingredients on hand.

Mix the dough, let it rise, and then shape the dough into bagels. Meaning, roll into balls, punch a hole through the center of each ball, and create a bagel shape. EASY.

The trickiest part about bagels is the boiling process, which truly isn’t tricky at all. Simply drop the bagels, a few at a time, into boiling water and boil until they float. Boiling the bagels before baking gives them the chew factor, and that classic “bagel” taste.

overhead photo of Homemade Cinnamon Crunch Bagels

Now, the key to these bagels is the cinnamon crunch topping. It’s just a simple mix of brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Simply sprinkle the topping over top each bagel before baking. As the bagels bake up, the topping melts and slowly begins to caramelize over the bagel, becoming crunchy.

DELICIOUS.

Homemade Cinnamon Crunch Bagels with bite taken out of bagel

I do want to note that the cinnamon sugar will fall off the top of the bagel and onto the pan. When this happens, just use a spoon to quickly, and carefully, scoop the sugar up off the pan. Then simply spoon it back over the bagel. This is why it’s important to line your baking sheets with parchment paper.

Once the bagels have cooled off slightly (like just not piping hot), be sure to enjoy one fresh out of the oven. These are great smeared with butter or cream cheese, and yes, the leftover bagels are beyond good toasted. These bagels make for a really fun weekday breakfast…or lunch!

So, what are your weekend plans? hopefully bagel making and plenty of chill time. Yep, it’s much needed. See y’all Sunday!

overhead close up photo of Homemade Cinnamon Crunch Bagels

If you make these cinnamon crunch bagels, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Homemade Cinnamon Crunch Bagels.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories Per Serving: 952 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Cinnamon Crunch Layer

Instructions

  • 1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the water, yeast, honey, flour, whole wheat flour, cinnamon, and salt. Knead until the dough comes together, about 1-2 minutes. Cover and let sit in a warm place for 1-2 hours. 
    2. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
    3. Once the dough has doubled, punch it down and place on your counter, using a little more flour if needed to prevent from sticking. Divide dough into 10-12 balls. Working with one piece of dough at a time, use your finger to poke a hole in the middle. Gently stretch the dough until the hole is about 2 inches big. Place the bagel on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining pieces of dough. Cover the baking sheet lightly with plastic wrap and let the bagels rise for about 15 minutes.
    4. To make the topping: In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar and cinnamon. Stir in 2 tablespoons melted butter. 
    5. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Lower 2-3 bagels at a time into the water. Boil for 3 minutes then flip to the other side and boil for 1 additional minute. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bagels from the pot letting the water drain. Transfer to a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Repeat until you've boiled all of the bagels.
    6. Brush each bagel with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and spoon clumps of the brown sugar mix over the bagels (see above photo). This is going to be your "crunch" layer. Transfer to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bagels are golden brown, rotating the pans half way through cooking. Allow the bagels to cool. Slice, toast, eat whole, slathered with butter or cream cheese! Bagels will keep for 4-5 days in a sealed storage bag. 
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    1. Hey June,
      Sure, that should be just fine for you to do! Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx

    1. Hey Veronica,
      Yes, that will be just fine for you. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx

  1. 1 star
    I agree with Jo.
    The topping melted off of the bagels within the first three minutes and spread all over the parchment paper and burned.
    It ruined my whole batch of bagels.
    I looked on youtube and found that a simple dry brown sugar and cinnamon mixture with a mist of water on top came out perfect (similar to Panera).

    1. Hi Donna,
      So sorry to hear this, but I do talk about how you will need to scoop the topping back onto the bagels:) xTieghan

  2. Hard pass! Made these today,like other posts have explained,topping melted right off and burnt to parchment paper. I make bagels somewhat frequently and this was hands down the worst recipe that I’ve ever tried. They’re all going in the trash. Unfortunate.

    1. Hi Jo,
      So sorry to hear this, I do specifically state: “I do want to note that the cinnamon sugar will fall off the top of the bagel and onto the pan. When this happens, just use a spoon to quickly, and carefully, scoop the sugar up off the pan. Then simply spoon it back over the bagel. This is why it’s important to line your baking sheets with parchment paper.” xTieghan

  3. Absolutely amazing recipe! I made these this morning and they are almost gone already! I’m going to have to make some more tomorrow so my daughter and son in law can bring some home with them. I didn’t change the recipe at all but I only used all purpose flour as I didn’t have any pastry or who wheat on hand. Still perfect!

  4. Made these the other day and they are almost gone! Amazing followed the recipe to a T and they came out perfect.

    1. Hey LeeAnn,
      Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed! Have a great day:) xxT

    1. Hey Riley,
      Sorry to hear this, next time I would keep an eye on them in the oven and use a spoon toe scoop the topping back onto the bagels. I hope this helps! xTieghan

    1. Hey Andrea,
      I found that all purpose flour worked best for me here, but if you want to use bread flour go for it! I hope the recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan

    1. Hey Janice,
      Just dissolve the yeast in the warm water and honey first, allow that to dissolve and come to a bubble and then you can follow the recipe as is. I hope you love the bagels! xTieghan

  5. 5 stars
    MADE 1/2 OF THE RECIPE USING THE DOUGH SETTING ON MY BREAD MACHINE AND IT WORKED GREAT! COMPLETED THE RECIPE FOLLOWING THE DIRECTIONS AS WRITTEN. SAMPLED WHEN THEY WERE SLIGHTLY COOL, BUT TASTE WAS EVEN MORE AMAZING THE FOLLOWING DAY. *NOTE – I LIVE AT 7500FT AND NO ADJUSTMENTS ARE NEEDED FOR HIGH ALTITUDE. THANKS FOR SHARING, TEIGHAN!

    1. Hey Connie,
      I am thrilled this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! Happy Sunday! xTieghan

    1. Hey Deb,
      You will need to dissolve the yeast into the warm water and honey, allow that to bubble, and then continue on with the recipe. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan

  6. I really wish you would put the weight of the actual flour you used into grams or oz for a food scale. As some one that love to bake and LOVES your blog I wish i had more exact measurements as i do have issues with your recipes when i try to be precise and measure out the ingredients.

    1. Hey Jacqueline,
      If you click “metrics” under the list of ingredients, all of the measurements will be converted for you. Hope this helps! xTieghan

  7. Hi! I made this today – yum! I did have a hard time though after they were done baking – every one was stuck to the parchment paper because the sugar melted down the bagels and hardened at the base of them. This hasn’t happened before when I’ve made bagels – do you have any suggestions on how to make them not stick?! Thanks!!

    1. Hey Alyssa,
      Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that it worked out for you! Try spraying your parchment paper first. Happy Holidays! xTieghan

  8. y’all…this bagel recipe has become a staple! so much cheaper than buying bagels at the store. now i’m wondering why they cost so much! I can usually make 8 large bagels out of this recipe (and they are HUGE). i always forget that this calls for 10-12 (haha). has anyone figured out how to keep the topping from sticking to the pan and everything it touches once it comes out of the oven? 🙂 thanks!

    1. Hey Lily,
      I am so glad you have been enjoying this recipe! To store, I would use wax paper or parchment in between the bagel so they do not stick. I hope this helps! xTieghan