Lemon Poppy Seed Bagels (Printable)

Soft bagels flavored with lemon zest and poppy seeds, enhanced with protein and a light lemon glaze.

# What You’ll Use:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups bread flour
02 - 1 cup vanilla or unflavored whey protein powder
03 - 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
04 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
06 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
07 - Zest of 2 lemons

→ Wet Ingredients

08 - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, non-fat or low-fat
09 - 1 large egg
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

→ Boiling Liquid

12 - 2 quarts water
13 - 1 tablespoon honey

→ Egg Wash

14 - 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water

→ Light Lemon Glaze

15 - 3/4 cup powdered sugar
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
17 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest

# How-To:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together bread flour, protein powder, poppy seeds, baking powder, salt, sugar, and lemon zest until evenly distributed.
03 - In a separate bowl, stir together Greek yogurt, egg, lemon juice, and melted butter until completely smooth.
04 - Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon, then knead by hand until a soft, slightly tacky dough forms, approximately 2-4 minutes. Adjust consistency by adding yogurt if too dry or flour if too sticky.
05 - Divide dough into 8 equal portions. Roll each into a ball, then poke a hole in the center and gently stretch to form a bagel shape with a uniform hole.
06 - Arrange shaped bagels on the prepared baking sheet. Cover loosely with a towel and let rest for 15 minutes at room temperature.
07 - Bring 2 quarts of water and honey to a gentle boil in a large pot.
08 - Reduce heat to a simmer. Working in batches, boil bagels for 30 seconds per side. Remove with a slotted spoon, allowing excess water to drip off, and return to baking sheet.
09 - Brush each boiled bagel with the prepared egg wash mixture for a glossy finish.
10 - Bake for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
11 - While bagels cool, whisk together powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth and drizzle-consistency is achieved.
12 - Drizzle lemon glaze over cooled bagels. Allow glaze to set completely before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • High-protein twist on classic bagels, perfect for active lifestyles
  • Bright, refreshing lemon flavor with a delightful poppy seed crunch
  • Made with Greek yogurt for extra moisture and tanginess
  • Boiled and baked for authentic bagel texture
  • Finished with a light lemon glaze that's sweet but not overwhelming
  • Freezer-friendly for easy meal prep
02 -
  • Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the brightest flavor—bottled lemon juice won't deliver the same punch
  • Weigh your protein powder for accuracy, as brands vary in density
  • Don't over-knead the dough; just until it comes together smoothly
  • Freeze unbaked shaped bagels, then boil and bake from frozen (add 2-3 minutes to baking time)
  • Store baked bagels in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months
  • Reheat frozen bagels by toasting directly from the freezer for best texture
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