Nothing beats the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon raisin bagels in the morning. Soft and chewy with just the right sweetness, these bagels are perfect for a cozy breakfast or brunch. Made with bread flour for that classic bagel chew, a warm cinnamon-sugar topping, and plump raisins, they’re a treat the whole family will love!
There’s something about homemade bagels that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Especially when they’re cinnamon raisin bagels, lightly sweetened and perfectly chewy. I love making these on slow weekend mornings, letting the dough rise while the kitchen fills with the comforting aroma of cinnamon and brown sugar. Whether toasted with a pat of butter or topped with cream cheese, these bagels are a little slice of morning joy you can make at home.
This is a pinnable post. Tap or hover over any image in this post to pin to your Pinterest Boards

Recipe Tutorial for Cinnamon Raisin Bagels
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups warm water – warm (not hot) water helps wake up the yeast and brings the dough together.
- 2 3/4 teaspoons active dry yeast – the magic that makes your bagels rise, creating that soft and chewy texture.
- 4 cups bread flour – higher in protein than all-purpose flour, giving your bagels their signature chew.
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar – adds a gentle sweetness and helps feed the yeast for a good rise.
- 2 teaspoons salt – balances the sweetness and brings out the warm flavors of cinnamon and raisins.
- 3/4 cup raisins – plump, chewy bursts of natural sweetness in every bite (soak them in warm water first if they’re a little dry).
- 3 tablespoons sugar – used for the cinnamon-sugar topping that makes these bagels extra special.
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon – warm, fragrant spice that fills your kitchen with the coziest aroma while baking.

Step 1: Mix the Dough
- In a mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and brown sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add bread flour and salt. Mix using a dough hook until smooth and elastic.
- Knead in raisins until evenly distributed.

Step 2: First Rise
- Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 3: Shape the Bagels
- Punch down the dough and divide into 8 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a ball, then poke a hole in the center and stretch to form a bagel shape.

Let them sit covered with a towel while the sweet water comes to a boil.

Step 4: Sweet Water Bath
- Bring a pot of water to a gentle boil and add 1–2 tsp sugar.
- Boil bagels 1–2 minutes per side for a soft, chewy crust.

Step 5: Egg Wash and Topping
- Brush bagels with egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp water).
- Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture (3 tbsp sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon).

All it takes is just a light dusting of cinnamon and sugar after the egg wash has been applied.

Step 6: Bake
- Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool slightly before serving.

They turned out so perfect!

Turn your kitchen into a small bakery and draw in your family who are scattered all over the house, probably on devices with headphones. Don’t worry, you don’t need to hollar at them! Just allow the sweet aroma of these cinnamon raisin bagels to fill the house and their noses! If you make these, they WILL come!

Homegrown & Homemade Raisins
For this recipe, I used my homegrown and homemade raisins from my Concord grape harvest. There’s something so satisfying about turning a harvest of fresh grapes into your very own raisins. Sweet, chewy, and naturally preserved, homemade raisins capture the sunshine of summer in every bite. Whether you sun-dry them on a warm day or use a dehydrator for quicker results, making raisins at home is simple and rewarding. They’re perfect for baking, snacking, or stirring into recipes like these cinnamon raisin bagels, giving you a true taste of homemade comfort from vine to table. Check out my homemade raisin tutorial.

More Cinnamon Raisin Recipes!
If you just can’t get enough of that cozy cinnamon and raisin combination, you’ll love trying a few more homemade favorites. My Cinnamon Raisin Bread is swirled with buttery cinnamon sugar and makes the most amazing toast in the morning. For something extra indulgent, my Cinnamon Raisin Rolls are soft, fluffy, and drizzled with sweet glaze—perfect for a weekend treat or holiday breakfast. Each recipe carries that same comforting blend of spice and sweetness, making your kitchen smell like pure happiness.
Conclusion
Making cinnamon raisin bagels at home is more than just baking—it’s an experience that fills your whole home with comfort, warmth, and sweet memories. From the moment the dough comes together to the sprinkled dash of cinnamon sugar on top, each step feels like a tradition worth savoring. Using my homegrown raisins makes it even more special, adding a touch of sunshine from the garden into every slice. As the bagels bake, the aroma of cinnamon and brown sugar drifts through the house, wrapping you in the same coziness as a favorite blanket.
When it comes out of the oven, golden and chewy, there’s nothing better than cutting a warm slice, spreading it with butter, and letting it melt into your mouth. I hope this recipe inspires you to bake a batch for your family, to share with friends, or to simply enjoy on a quiet morning with a hot cup of tea or coffee.
Resources: Here are some helpful resources for further information.
- The World’s Easiest Cinnamon Rolls – By Minimalist Baker
- 18 Unexpected Fillings to Add to Your Cinnamon Rolls – By Tasting Table
- Think Beyond the Cinnamon Roll – By King Arthur Baking

Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I make my bagels extra chewy?
Use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour. Bread flour has higher protein content, which gives bagels that classic chewy texture.
2. Can I freeze these bagels?
Yes! Freeze baked or boiled bagels in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. Toast or warm before serving.
3. Can I use golden raisins or other dried fruit?
Absolutely. Golden raisins, currants, or chopped dried apricots work wonderfully in place of regular raisins.
4. Do I have to boil bagels before baking?
Boiling gives bagels their signature chewy crust. Skipping this step will result in a softer, bread-like texture rather than a traditional bagel.

Cinnamon Raisin Bagels
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 large pot for boiling.
- 1 baking sheet.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 2 ¾ tsp dry active yeast
- 4 cups bread flour
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp salt
- ¾ cup raisins
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
For the Dough
- Combine warm water, yeast, and brown sugar; let foam. Add bread flour, salt, and knead in raisins.
For the Rise
- Cover and let the dough double in size (1–1.5 hours).
Shape the Bagels
- Divide into 8 pieces, roll into balls, poke holes, and shape bagels.
Boil the Bagels
- Boil bagels 1–2 minutes per side in sweetened water.
Top the Bagels
- Brush with egg wash and sprinkle cinnamon-sugar.
Bake the Bagels
- 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden.
Cool & Enjoying the Bagels
- Let cool slightly and serve with butter or cream cheese.
Notes
Recipe Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Raisin Bagels
- Soak the raisins first: If your raisins feel dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes, then pat dry before adding to the dough. This keeps them plump and juicy in the baked bagels.
- Don’t skip the boil: The sweet water bath is what gives bagels their shiny crust and chewy bite. A quick boil (1–2 minutes per side) makes all the difference.
- Make ahead option: Shape the bagels the night before, cover, and refrigerate. In the morning, let them come to room temperature while the oven preheats, then boil and bake.
- Cinnamon-sugar topping: For extra crunch and sweetness, sprinkle the bagels right before baking, then again lightly after baking while still warm.
- Check the dough texture: If dough feels sticky, add 1–2 tablespoons more bread flour while kneading. If it’s too dry, add 1 teaspoon of warm water at a time.
- Storage tip: Store bagels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze them individually wrapped for longer freshness.
- Toast before serving: Homemade bagels taste best lightly toasted—it brings out the cinnamon flavor and gives the crust a nice crisp.
- Try flavored spreads: Cream cheese, honey butter, or cinnamon butter pair beautifully with these bagels.
- Also, these bagels are perfect with a hot cup of coffee or tea, toasted lightly with a smear of butter, for a comforting breakfast experience.
Summary
I hope I have inspired you to bake your very own bread to enjoy and share with your friends and family.
If you were encouraged by this post, I invite you to check out my FREE Printables Page for fun free printables, planners, and charts.
ENTER MY FREE Printables Page HERE
Here are some more of my bread-making inspiration posts to check out!
How to Make Sourdough Buttermilk Waffles
How to Make Homemade French Toast Sticks
Cinnamon Raisins: How to Make Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Cinnamon Raisins: How to Make Cinnamon Raisin Rolls
Brownies: How to Make Peanut Butter Brownie Mini Loaves
How to Make Sourdough Pumpkin Shaped Cinnamon Rolls
The Best Pumpkin Zucchini Bread
The Only Pumpkin Muffin Recipe You’ll Ever Need!
How to Make Banana Split Quick Bread
How to Make S’mores Quick Bread
How to Make Jelly Donut Quick Bread
Lemon Blueberry: How to Make Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Focaccia
How to Make Sourdough Lemon Supreme Quick Bread
Lemon Supreme: How to Make Sourdough Lemon Supreme Quick Bread
How to Make Sourdough Strawberry Cheesecake Muffins
How to Make Chai-Spiced Sourdough Banana Bread
The Best Old Fashioned Sourdough Banana Muffins
How to Make Honey Sourdough Bread
Blueberry: How to Make Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Quick Bread
Pizza: How to Make Pizza Sourdough Focaccia
Carrot Cake: How to Make Carrot Cake Sourdough Focaccia
Easy and Delicious Hershey’s Kisses Sourdough Bread
How to Make Amish Whoopie Pies!
Lazy Cinnamon Rolls: How to Make Easy Cinnamon Rolls the Lazy Way!
Lembas Bread: How to Make Elven Lembas Bread: A Taste of Rivendell
Gnome Bread: How to Make a Sourdough Gnome Bread
How to Make Sourdough Strawberry Cheesecake Muffins
The Best Hoagie Buns Recipe Made From Scratch!
Pumpkin: How to Make Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
More Recipes!
Sweet Potato Bread: How to Make Sweet Potato Bread
Chocolate Chip Cookies: How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Bread
Carrot Cake Quick Bread: How to Make Carrot Cake Quick Bread
How to Make Strawberries and Cream Sourdough Bread
How to Make S’mores Sourdough Bread
July 4th Bread: How to Make a Firecracker Marble Bread Braid
Artisan Bread: How to Make Artisan Bread
Challah Bread: How to Make a 6 Braided Challah Bread
Sweet Bread: How to Make Sweet Bread
Blessings,
The Off Grid Barefoot Girl


Discover more from The Off Grid Barefoot Girl
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.