Delicious Sourdough Blueberry Bagels for a Joyful Breakfast

You know, making sourdough blueberry bagels always takes me right back to those cozy Sunday mornings in my kitchen. The smell of the homemade sourdough bagels baking, mingling with the sweet aroma of fresh blueberries—it’s like a warm hug in dough form. My family adores these sourdough blueberry bagels, and I swear, once you try making this blueberry bagel dough yourself, you’ll see why it’s become a staple in my home and hopefully yours too.

I first stumbled upon this sourdough blueberry bagels recipe a couple of years back during one of my “let’s try everything with sourdough” phases. At first, I was a little intimidated by the bagel baking process—it seemed complicated, especially fitting it into a busy family’s rhythm. But after some trial and error (and maybe a few slightly misshapen bagels that still tasted amazing), I got the hang of it. The real “aha” moment came when I realized how making these blueberry flavored bagels using natural sourdough starter made all the difference in flavor and texture.

They’ve become my family’s weekend treat, a way to connect over food without it feeling rushed. Plus, knowing these are homemade sourdough bagels means I’m in control of every ingredient, which plays well with my cooking philosophy: simple, nourishing food that brings joy without fuss. If you’ve ever wanted to make blueberry flavored bagels that burst with fresh fruit and have that perfect chewy texture, you’re in the right place. Ready to dive into the wonderful world of sourdough blueberry bagels with me? Let’s start by talking about what you’ll need!

This recipe reminds me a bit of my blueberry lemon sourdough sweet rolls, which also blend tangy sourdough with fresh fruit in the most delightful ways.


What You’ll Need for This Sourdough Blueberry Bagels

Top-down view of raw ingredients for sourdough blueberry bagels on a marble surface

For these scrumptious sourdough blueberry bagels, you’ll want to gather a few simple, quality ingredients that really bring out the best in your blueberry bagel dough. Here’s my go-to list:

  • 1 cup active sourdough starter (100% hydration) – This is the heart of your homemade sourdough bagels. I always use my well-fed starter for the best rise and flavor.
  • 3 ½ cups bread flour – For structure and chewiness, bread flour is ideal. Find it at most grocery stores or your local mill.
  • 1 tsp salt – Essential for taste and dough strength.
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar or honey – Just enough sweetness to complement the blueberries and balance the tang.
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries (or frozen, thawed and drained) – I like to use fresh for the brightest flavor, but frozen works well too.
  • 1 ¼ cups warm water – Important for hydrating your blueberry bagel dough.
  • 1 tbsp malt syrup or barley malt powder (optional) – This little trick adds shine and authentic flavor to your bagel crust.

When making sourdough blueberry bagels, you can usually find malt syrup or barley malt powder in specialty baking stores or online. If you don’t want to splurge, a mild honey substitution works just fine.

Here’s a little Sourdough Blueberry Bagels trick I learned: gently fold in your blueberries after most of the dough is mixed to keep them from bursting too early and turning your dough purple. It makes all the difference in appearance and texture.

For busy families, prepping the sourdough starter the night before and having ingredients measured out helps make the bagel baking process manageable without stress. Also, leftover blueberries can be frozen in ice cube trays for future batches.

If you’re watching costs, remember bread flour often comes in large bags that last a long time, and sourdough starter is basically free once you have it going. The blueberries glow with seasonal sales, so stock up when you spot them at your market.

For those curious about similar recipes, my sourdough discard lemon blueberry rolls here use a lovely blueberry twist worth trying alongside your bagels.


Let’s Make This Sourdough Blueberry Bagels Together

Now for the fun part—the bagel baking process! I promise sourdough blueberry bagels aren’t as intimidating as they look. I’m here to walk you through each step, hand-in-hand, like we’re chatting over coffee.

  1. Feed your starter: Make sure your sourdough starter is bubbly and active. I usually feed mine about 4-6 hours before mixing the dough.
  2. Mix your dough: In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, salt, and brown sugar. Add your bubbly sourdough starter and warm water. Stir with a wooden spoon or use a mixer with a dough hook until everything starts to come together.
  3. Add blueberries carefully: When the dough is mostly formed, gently fold in your blueberries. Be gentle—sourdough blueberry bagels with intact berries are so much prettier than purple-stained dough!
  4. Knead the dough: Knead for about 10 minutes by hand or 7 minutes on medium speed with your mixer. The dough should become smooth and elastic, just like the homemade sourdough bagels you’ve seen in bakeries.
  5. First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rest for 4-6 hours at room temperature until it roughly doubles. This part is where the magic happens with sourdough naturally leavening your blueberry bagel dough.
  6. Shape your bagels: Divide the dough into 8-10 pieces, roll each into a smooth ball, then poke your thumb through the center and gently stretch to form a ring. Don’t worry if your rings aren’t perfect at first; practice makes perfect with sourdough blueberry bagels.
  7. Second rise: Lay your shaped bagels on a floured board, cover with a kitchen towel, and rest for about an hour before boiling and baking.
  8. Boil your bagels: Here’s the classic bagel baking process trick: boil each ring for about 1-2 minutes on each side in a pot of lightly sweetened water (I add a tablespoon of malt syrup here). This step sets that signature chewy crust.
  9. Bake to golden perfection: Transfer the boiled bagels to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes. Your sourdough blueberry bagels will puff up beautifully, and the crust will be perfectly glossy.
  10. Cool and enjoy: Let your bagels cool on a wire rack. The smell of those blueberry flavored bagels fresh from the oven is incomparable!

In my kitchen, the entire bagel baking process takes about a day between rest times, but hands-on time feels balanced and rewarding. While the bagels bake, I like to prep a simple cream cheese spread or sip a cup of tea, savoring the moment.

If you want to see a slightly different take on the bagel baking process or some troubleshooting tips, this external recipe from This Jess Cooks has some great insights that complement what we’re doing here.

Also, for another twist, Jesha’s blueberry sourdough bagels are fantastic for inspiration with similar techniques.

And don’t forget that Little Spoon Farm’s Sourdough Blueberry Bagels recipe has useful tips for texture and flavor that helped me refine my own sourdough bagel recipe.


How I Love to Serve This Sourdough Blueberry Bagels

Close-up of finished sourdough blueberry bagels, slightly angled, showing their golden, glossy crust and fresh blueberries

When it comes to enjoying sourdough blueberry bagels, my family and I like to keep it simple and fresh. My kids especially love these blueberry flavored bagels lightly toasted with cream cheese and a drizzle of honey. There’s just something magical about the sweetness of the blueberries combined with the tang of sourdough and the richness of cream cheese.

I often serve sourdough blueberry bagels with seasonal fruit salads or even alongside scrambled eggs for a leisurely brunch. They’re also perfect for breakfast on-the-go, stuffed with nut butter for a quick but nourishing start.

This sourdough blueberry bagels recipe shines at weekend breakfasts but honestly, I’ll make them any time we need a little pick-me-up. They’re great for family gatherings, laid-back brunches with friends, or even a cozy winter morning when you want that blueberry burst in something comforting.

A presentation tip I picked up is brushing the bagels with a bit of melted butter right out of the oven for an irresistible shine that makes those fresh blueberries pop visually.

If you have extra sourdough blueberry bagels lying around (which — let’s be honest — is rare!), I like to slice them and toast the next day, then top with almond butter and banana or turn them into a fun breakfast sandwich.

For those who enjoy seasonal variations, I’ve tried swaps like cinnamon in the blueberry bagel dough or adding a lemon zest twist, similar to the variety I shared in my Blueberry Lemon Sourdough Babka.

Friends always ask me for the sourdough blueberry bagels recipe after tasting this, especially impressed by that chewy texture only true homemade sourdough bagels can deliver.


Your Sourdough Blueberry Bagels Questions Answered

Q1: Can I use frozen blueberries in my sourdough blueberry bagels?
Absolutely! I use frozen berries all the time when fresh aren’t in season. Just thaw and drain them well before gently folding into your blueberry bagel dough to avoid turning it purple.

Q2: How do I know if my sourdough starter is active enough for blueberry flavored bagels?
You want it bubbly and doubling in size within 4-6 hours of feeding. When I start making sourdough blueberry bagels, I always do the float test—if a spoonful floats, you’re good!

Q3: My bagels didn’t puff up as much as I hoped; what went wrong?
We’ve all been there with sourdough blueberry bagels! Sometimes it means the dough wasn’t fermented long enough or your starter didn’t have enough strength. Try to be patient during rising stages and make sure to feed your starter well the day before.

Q4: Can I substitute bread flour for all-purpose?
While all-purpose flour can work, I’ve found that bread flour brings the perfect chew we expect in homemade sourdough bagels, especially blueberry flavored bagels where texture is key.

Q5: Is the boiling step really necessary?
Definitely! This classic bagel baking process step creates that chewy crust and prevents the bagels from spreading too thin. Don’t skip it, even with sourdough blueberry bagels.

Q6: How do I avoid blueberries bursting during mixing?
Gently folding blueberries in after the initial dough mix is my go-to trick. Also, using fresh berries helps because frozen ones tend to break easier.

Q7: Can I freeze these homemade sourdough bagels?
Yes! I slice them before freezing. Then you can toast slices straight from the freezer for a quick fresh treat.

For more detailed troubleshooting or technique hints, you might find some great ideas in Jesha’s blueberry sourdough bagels guide or the helpful tips at Little Spoon Farm’s site.


My Final Thoughts on This Sourdough Blueberry Bagels

This sourdough blueberry bagels recipe holds such a special place in my heart because it’s not just about the bagels themselves—it’s about the moments shared around the kitchen table. The chewy texture, the burst of blueberry sweetness, and the comforting tang of sourdough all come together to create a treat my whole family looks forward to.

My Sourdough Blueberry Bagels Pro Tips:
– Always fold blueberries in gently at the end to keep them intact.
– Don’t rush the dough rising times; patience will reward your efforts.
– The boiling step is non-negotiable for that authentic chewy bagel crust.

Over the years, I’ve played with variations—like a lemon zest twist, adding a sprinkling of cinnamon in the dough, or even mixing in some crushed nuts for texture. My youngest loves the classic blueberry flavor, while my husband enjoys the lemon-blueberry combo like in my blueberry lemon sourdough sweet rolls.

If you want to keep the blueberry love rolling, check out my other blueberry sourdough recipes like the flavorful sourdough discard lemon blueberry rolls and the beautifully braided blueberry lemon sourdough babka.

I encourage you to make this sourdough blueberry bagels recipe your own. Embrace the little imperfections—they’re what make homemade so special. I hope your kitchen fills with that familiar, sweet-tangy aroma and that your family gathers around with smiles. Remember, every batch teaches you something new, so have fun and enjoy the journey!

Here’s to many happy mornings with your own homemade sourdough blueberry bagels!

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Sourdough Blueberry Bagels

Freshly prepared sourdough blueberry bagels on white plate

Delight in these tangy, chewy sourdough bagels studded with fresh blueberries, perfect for a wholesome breakfast or snack.

  • Author: Liliana
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 hours 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 bagels
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup active sourdough starter
  • 3 ½ cups bread flour
  • 1 cup lukewarm water
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1 tbsp barley malt syrup (optional, for boiling)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix the sourdough starter, lukewarm water, and sugar until combined.
  2. Add the bread flour and salt, then knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. Gently fold in the fresh blueberries, being careful not to crush them.
  4. Cover the dough and let it rise at room temperature for 4-6 hours, or until doubled in size.
  5. Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces and shape each into a ball. Poke a hole through the center of each ball and stretch it to form a bagel shape.
  6. Place shaped bagels on a parchment-lined tray, cover, and let rest for 30-45 minutes.
  7. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add barley malt syrup if using.
  8. Boil each bagel for 1 minute on each side, then remove with a slotted spoon and place back on the parchment paper.
  9. Bake the bagels for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
  10. Let cool on a wire rack before serving.

Notes

For a crispier crust, brush the bagels with an egg wash before baking. Serve toasted with cream cheese or honey butter for extra indulgence.

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