Rainbow Bagels Recipe

The first time I saw rainbow bagels, my heart did a little happy dance! These swirly, colorful creations aren’t just breakfast – they’re edible art that brings pure joy to your kitchen. I still remember my daughter’s face lighting up when I surprised her with these vibrant treats on her birthday morning.

It all started with those famous Brooklyn bagels that took over social media a few years back. The warmth, the colors, the way they transformed a simple breakfast into something magical – that wonder stuck with me. I spent weeks testing different methods in my kitchen until I got it just right. Food has always been my way to share happiness, and these rainbow bagels? They’re happiness in carb form! The best part is, while they look fancy, they’re actually made with basic ingredients and simple techniques – similar to our no-boil Greek Yogurt Bagels. Let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Love These Rainbow Bagels

When I first tried making these colorful treats, I wasn’t sure if they’d turn out as beautiful as the ones I’d seen online. But after perfecting this recipe, I’m thrilled to share that these rainbow bagels bring all the fun of the viral Brooklyn treat right to your home kitchen – just like our Strawberry Bagels bring fruity flair to the breakfast table.

• Surprisingly simple ingredients – Just regular bagel dough with food coloring creates this magical effect!
• Totally customizable colors – Choose traditional rainbow shades or create your own color combinations for holidays or team colors
• Perfect texture every time – Chewy on the outside, soft on the inside – just like a classic bagel should be
• Major wow factor – These bagels make breakfast feel like a celebration and are guaranteed to impress family and friends
• Fun family project – Kids absolutely love helping with the colorful dough and watching the rainbow magic happen
• Same great taste – Despite all the colors, they taste just like delicious homemade bagels

Rainbow Bagel Ingredients You’ll Need

Dry Active Yeast: I always make sure my yeast is fresh for these bagels. It’s the magic ingredient that gives your dough that perfect rise and creates that classic bagel texture we all love.

Warm Water: The temperature matters so much here! I keep mine between 105°F and 113°F – too hot will kill the yeast, too cool and it won’t activate properly. I use my wrist to test – it should feel warm but not hot.

Brown Sugar: This isn’t just for sweetness! In my kitchen, I’ve found brown sugar helps feed the yeast and gives the bagels a subtle depth of flavor that white sugar just doesn’t provide.

Bread Flour: I never substitute all-purpose flour when making these rainbow bagels. Bread flour has more protein which creates stronger gluten, giving you that perfect chewy bagel texture that makes your jaw happily tired.

Salt: Don’t skip this! Salt controls the yeast activity and enhances all the flavors. Without it, your rainbow bagels will taste flat and boring, no matter how pretty they look.

Food Coloring: Gel food coloring is my absolute must-have for vibrant colors. I’ve tried liquid coloring and the results were disappointing – gels give you those bright, Instagram-worthy rainbow swirls without adding too much moisture to your dough.

How to Make Rainbow Bagels at Home

Step 1. I always start by activating my yeast properly. In four separate small bowls, I combine ½ cup warm water, 1 heaping teaspoon of dry active yeast, and 1 scant teaspoon of brown sugar. This is where the magic begins – I add different food coloring to each bowl and let them sit until foamy, usually about 5-10 minutes.

Step 2. While waiting for the yeast to activate, I prepare four mixing bowls with 1 cup of bread flour and ½ teaspoon of salt in each. My grandma always said good bagels start with well-mixed dry ingredients, and she was absolutely right!

Step 3. I’ve found that adding the colored yeast mixture to each flour bowl creates the most vibrant dough. I mix each color until it forms a rough dough, then knead for about 10 minutes. If the dough feels too sticky, I add a tablespoon or two of extra flour – but not too much or the bagels will be tough!

Step 4. After kneading, I cover each colored dough with a damp cloth to prevent drying. This rest period is crucial – it lets the gluten relax a bit before the fun part begins.

Step 5. My favorite technique is rolling each colored dough into a flat rectangle, then stacking them on top of each other. I cut this stack in half and re-stack for even more rainbow layers! The colors really start to pop at this stage, and I still get excited every time.

Step 6. I’ve learned that cutting the stacked dough into 8 equal strips gives the perfect bagel size. I twist and stretch each strip to create those beautiful rainbow swirls – this is where your bagels get their signature look!

Step 7. To form the bagel shape, I wrap each twisted strip around my hand, then roll the seam on the counter to seal it. My husband prefers when I make the holes a bit larger since they tend to close up during baking.

Step 8. After placing the shaped bagels on a lined baking sheet, I cover them and let them rise for 30 minutes. While they’re rising, I preheat the oven to 425°F and bring a large pot of water to boil.

Step 9. The boiling step is non-negotiable for authentic bagels! I boil each bagel for exactly 1 minute per side – any longer and they get wrinkly, any shorter and they don’t develop that classic chewy exterior.

Step 10. I bake my rainbow bagels for 15-17 minutes until they’re golden on the bottom. The kitchen smells amazing, and the colorful results are always worth the effort!

How to Store & Reheat

I usually store my leftover rainbow bagels in an airtight container at room temperature, where they stay fresh for up to 3 days. The colors remain vibrant, and the texture stays nice, especially if you make sure they’re completely cool before storing.

For longer storage, I’ve found that slicing the bagels before freezing works best. I place parchment paper between each slice, then store them in a freezer bag for up to 1 month. This way, you can grab just what you need without thawing the whole batch.

When it comes to reheating, I recommend toasting these colorful treats for the best results – much like we do with our High-Protein Bagel Bites for a quick snack. The toaster brings back that fresh-baked texture and makes the colors pop even more. If you’re reheating from frozen, no need to thaw first – just toast on a lower setting for a bit longer than usual. For a softer texture, I sometimes wrap frozen bagels in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20-30 seconds before toasting.

What to Serve with Rainbow Bagels

Funfetti Cream Cheese: In my kitchen, I love mixing sprinkles into plain cream cheese for the ultimate rainbow bagel pairing. The colorful sprinkles complement the bagel’s vibrant swirls and add a fun birthday cake flavor that kids and adults both love. Or for a unique twist, try spreading it on our Cinnamon Sugar Bagels too.

Fresh Fruit Platter: The bright colors of strawberries, blueberries, and kiwi slices create a beautiful contrast with rainbow bagels. I find this combination makes for a gorgeous brunch spread – especially when paired with a slice of our Flourless Bread for variety.

Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese: My family’s favorite topping is simple vanilla bean cream cheese. The flecks of vanilla bean against the rainbow colors create a beautiful presentation, and the subtle sweetness lets the bagel’s flavor shine – also amazing on our Cottage Cheese Bagels with Almond Flour.

Chocolate Hazelnut Spread: For special occasions, I serve rainbow bagels with warmed chocolate hazelnut spread. The combination of colorful bagel and rich chocolate creates an indulgent treat – or try it on Cinnamon Raisin Bagels for extra decadence.

Scrambled Eggs and Bacon: Don’t limit rainbow bagels to sweet toppings! I’ve found they make amazing breakfast sandwiches with scrambled eggs and bacon, just like we do with our Hero Bagel version packed with protein.

Smoked Salmon and Dill Cream Cheese: For a sophisticated brunch, I pair rainbow bagels with classic smoked salmon and dill cream cheese. The elegant topping creates an unexpected contrast with the playful colors of the bagel, much like it does on our Vegan Lox Bagels.

FAQs

Print