How to Egg Wash a Bagel

An egg wash helps toppings such as sesame seeds stick to the bagel.

The signature chewy interior and crackly exterior of authentic bagels comes from their multi-step cooking process. First, the bagels are boiled slightly to set the exterior crust. An egg wash is applied to help toppings stick, but it also gives the bagels a shine on the crust. Baking the bagels after applying the egg wash cooks the interior through. If your bagel recipe does not require an egg wash, add it to the recipe, and you will enjoy shinier bagels and toppings that do not fall off during baking.

Things You'll Need

• 1 egg white
• 1 tbsp. water
• Whisk
• Boiled bagels
• Cooling rack
• Baking pan
• Pastry brush
• Toppings (optional)
• Baking sheet
• Cornmeal

Instructions

1. Whisk together the egg white and water in a small bowl.

2. Place the boiled bagels onto a cooling rack set inside a baking pan as soon as you take them out of the boiling water.

3. Brush the top of each bagel with the egg wash mixture, using a pastry brush to apply an even coating to each bagel. You can sprinkle toppings of your choice over the bagels, if desired.

4. Transfer the bagels to a baking sheet lightly dusted with cornmeal and bake as directed by your recipe.

References

• Chow; Bagel Recipe; Melissa Wagenberg Lasher
• "Peter Reinhart's Whole Grain Breads"; Peter Reinhart, et al; 2007
• "Great Breads: Home-Baked Favorites from Europe, the British Isles and North America"; Martha Rose Shulman, et al.; 1995