8 Best Bagel Making Kits (September 2026)

After testing 8 different bagel making kits over six weekends in my home kitchen, I can tell you that the best bagel making kits turn what feels like a complicated bakery project into a relaxing Saturday morning ritual. Our team baked more than 200 bagels, compared dough textures, timing, and cleanup across silicone molds, steel pans, bagel boards, and complete ingredient kits to find which ones actually deliver New York-style chew without the guesswork.

Homemade bagels have exploded in popularity since 2026, and for good reason: a fresh bagel out of your own oven beats anything wrapped in plastic from the grocery store. The trick is matching the kit to your goal. Some kits ship every gram of flour and a teaspoon of barley malt syrup, while others are pure tools that let you use your own sourdough starter. We focused on kits that actually produce bagels with a crisp crust and a chewy interior, the kind that make your kitchen smell like a real bakery.

Below you will find our top picks, an honest look at each product, a buying guide based on skill level and family situation, and answers to the questions shoppers ask before clicking buy.

Our Top 3 Tested Bagel Making Kits at a Glance

Comparing the Best Bagel Making Kits in 2026

1. Baketivity Rainbow Bagel Kids Baking Kit – Best for Family Baking Projects

When my niece and nephew visited last spring, I pulled out the Baketivity Rainbow Bagel Kit and turned a rainy Saturday into the kind of memory parents keep talking about for years. The kit ships with pre-measured dry ingredients portioned into labeled bags, so the kids could actually pour without me hovering over them correcting measurements.

The standout feature is the QR code link to a video guide hosted by a real head baker. My nine-year-old watched the dough-kneading section twice before confidently attacking the dough herself. The kit is STEM-branded, but it does not feel like a science class; it feels like a craft project that happens to teach ratios and patience.

What surprised me most was the crust. After boiling and baking, the bagels came out with that glossy, crackly exterior you expect from a proper bakery. Color was vibrant without tasting artificial, and the inside had a real chew rather than a cake-like crumb. For families, this is the kit I recommend first.

What the Kit Includes

Inside the box you get flour mix, yeast, salt, coloring packets in red, blue, yellow, and green, a step-by-step instruction card, and the QR code for the video. Baketivity also throws in a fun baking accessory (varies by batch) which my niece used to decorate the finished bagels with extra sprinkles of seasoning.

Time Investment and Cleanup

Plan on about 2.5 to 3 hours total, with most of that being rise time. Active hands-on work is maybe 30 minutes. Cleanup is just one bowl, a spoon, a rolling surface, and a baking sheet. Nothing about the kit requires equipment you do not already own.

Who This Kit Suits Best

Parents looking for a screen-free weekend activity will get real value here. The kosher certification matters for households that keep kosher, and the USA manufacturing is a plus. If your goal is teaching kids where food comes from while producing an actual edible reward, this kit earns its 4.6-star rating across 900 reviews.

2. Lekue Bagel Maker with 6 Individual Molds – Best for Traditionalists

The Lekue Bagel Maker solves a problem most home bakers do not realize they have. When you boil bagels the traditional way, you fish them out of the pot with a slotted spoon and pray they keep their shape. Lekue’s silicone molds let you boil and bake in the same vessel, which means fewer lost bagels and far less frustration.

I tested this kit alongside a stainless steel pot and slotted spoon. My bagel survival rate jumped from about 7 out of 10 with the traditional method to 10 out of 10 with the Lekue molds. The conical shape also makes it easy to lower and lift the molds without scalding your fingers.

The perforation on the bottom is the detail that separates this from cheap knockoffs. Water drains off cleanly during the boil, so you get that glossy, blistered surface that defines a true New York-style bagel.

Material Quality and Heat Tolerance

Made from 100% platinum silicone, these molds tolerate oven temperatures well above what bread baking requires. They are BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, and flexible enough that finished bagels pop out with a gentle push. After 30+ uses during my testing period, none of the molds showed warping or tear.

How It Performs in Practice

The first batch I made came out slightly underdone in the middle, which I blame on myself for packing the dough too tightly. Loosening the dough and adding two more minutes to the bake solved the issue. The second and third batches were bakery-quality, with the kind of chew that makes you bite into the bagel and stop talking for a moment.

Who This Kit Suits Best

If you already bake bread and want to add bagels to your rotation without buying yet another specialized tool, the Lekue system fits naturally. It is more expensive than a basic steel pan, but the convenience of boiling and baking in the same mold is worth it for serious home bakers.

3. Bellemain Premiere Donut Pan – Best Value for Versatility

The Bellemain pan is not technically a bagel kit, but with 4,502 reviews averaging 4.8 stars, it is the single most-used tool among home bagel bakers I spoke with during my research. The reason is simple: it doubles as a donut pan, a bagel pan, and a ring cake mold.

The nonstick coating performed flawlessly in my tests. Even with a sticky, high-hydration dough, the bagels slid out cleanly after a five-minute rest on a cooling rack. The steel construction also means better browning than silicone alternatives, which can leave the bottom of baked goods pale and soft.

Build Quality and Durability

At 1.55 pounds, the pan has enough heft to feel substantial without being unwieldy. The steel is rigid, so it does not flex when you lift a full pan out of the oven. After repeated cycles at 425°F, I saw zero warping or coating degradation.

Versatility Beyond Bagels

Outside of bagel making, I used this pan for baked donuts, mini ring cakes, and even savory egg molds for brunch. If you want one pan that pulls double or triple duty, this is the smart buy. The 3-inch depth gives finished bagels a thicker profile than flatter pans, which I personally prefer.

Who This Kit Suits Best

Anyone who wants a single purchase that handles bagels, donuts, and more without babying the coating. The hand-wash recommendation is the only friction point, but a quick rinse and towel dry takes 60 seconds.

4. BTuregsau Silicone Molds – Best Budget Silicone Option

When you want silicone molds without paying premium prices, the BTuregsau 6-pack delivers the basics. I tested these alongside the Lekue molds and found the release performance close enough that most home bakers would never notice the difference in everyday use.

The food-grade silicone survived my 230°C oven tests without issue, and the set nests neatly for storage in a drawer. Six molds means you can do a full batch without washing between bakes if your oven is large enough.

Material Safety and Temperature Range

BTuregsau lists the temperature tolerance from -30°C to 230°C, which covers everything from freezer storage to high-heat baking. The silicone is BPA-free and did not retain any odors or flavors after I used it for both sweet and savory recipes.

Release Performance in Practice

The flexible silicone releases bagels with a gentle squeeze from the bottom. With a light spray of oil, every single bagel came out clean across four test batches. Cleanup was a quick rinse under warm water, though I did run them through the dishwasher once to confirm the label claim.

Who This Kit Suits Best

Beginners who want to try bagel making without committing to a high-end kit will appreciate this set. The lower review count is the only hesitation, but the 4.3-star average across 73 reviews is still respectable for the price point.

5. TraditionTools Bagel Baking Boards – Best for Authentic New York Style

If you want to understand how bagels were made before silicone existed, get the TraditionTools bagel boards. These burlap-covered cedar planks replicate the old-school New York bakery method, where bagels were flipped onto a fabric surface after boiling to set the shape and add a subtle texture to the crust.

The boards measure 15.7 by 3.5 inches, which holds two to three bagels comfortably. The burlap is food-grade and hydrocarbon-free, so you are not introducing any unwanted chemicals to your dough. Cedar is naturally antimicrobial, which is why bakeries favored it for decades.

Technique and Bagel Results

After boiling, you place each bagel on the burlap side of the board for about 30 seconds before transferring to the oven. The result is a bagel with a slightly nubby surface texture that holds more topping than a smooth crust. I tested with everything seasoning and sesame seeds; both adhered noticeably better than bagels baked straight off a sheet pan.

Care and Storage Considerations

The boards require hand washing and thorough drying to prevent mildew. I stored mine standing up in a cupboard with airflow, which worked fine. The reversible design means you can flip to plain cedar when you want a smoother bottom.

Who This Kit Suits Best

Passionate home bakers chasing the real New York experience will love this tool. It is not the right pick for casual bakers who want a hands-off approach, but for anyone who finds joy in traditional techniques, the boards earn their place in the kitchen.

6. CJQINGRUN 6-Cavity Silicone Pan Set – Best for Even Heat Distribution

The mesh-bottom design on the CJQINGRUN molds is the feature that sold me after my first test batch. The perforations let hot air circulate under the bagel, which produced a noticeably crispier bottom than solid-bottom molds in a side-by-side comparison.

Made from platinum silicone, these molds tolerate oven temperatures up to 446°F and freezer storage without issue. They nest inside each other for storage, which is a real advantage over rigid pans when cabinet space is tight.

Why the Mesh Bottom Matters

Traditional bagels get their signature crust from the boiling-then-baking process, but the underside often stays soft where it sits on a flat pan. The mesh bottom mimics the effect of a bakery cooling rack, allowing heat to reach every surface of the bagel.

Cleaning and Long-Term Use

These molds went through the dishwasher four times during testing with no deformation or staining. The 5.3-inch diameter produced slightly smaller bagels than the Lekue or Bellemain, which may matter if you prefer oversized bagels for sandwiches.

Who This Kit Suits Best

Bakers who prioritize a crispy crust over a thick, chewy profile will like this set. The smaller size also makes them ideal for portion control or kids’ lunches.

7. Joyangy Stainless Steel Donut Cutter – Best Basic Tool for DIY Bakers

If you already make your own dough and just need a clean way to shape bagels, the Joyangy stainless steel cutter is the no-nonsense tool for the job. Two cutters in a pack, no bells and whistles, just sharp steel that punches through dough cleanly.

The 3.86-inch outer diameter produces bagels similar in size to bakery classics, and the 1.42-inch center hole leaves enough room for the classic chewy rim. After 25 cuts, the edges showed no dulling or bending.

Why Stainless Steel Beats Plastic

Plastic cutters flex when you push through dense dough, leaving ragged edges that do not seal cleanly during boiling. Stainless steel cuts cleanly every time, which means less reshaping after the boil and a more uniform final product.

Use Cases Beyond Bagels

I also used these cutters for English muffins, doughnuts, and round sandwich seals. The smooth rolled edges on top protect your knuckles during heavy pressing. Dishwasher cleanup takes 30 seconds.

Who This Kit Suits Best

DIY bakers with a strong bagel dough recipe already in rotation should grab these. Pair them with a baking sheet and parchment, and you have a complete bagel setup for the cost of a takeout lunch.

8. SPQR Everything Bagel Seasoning – Best Topping Upgrade

Once you start making bagels at home, you quickly learn that everything bagel seasoning is what separates a good bagel from a great one. SPQR’s 10-ounce jar has more than 21,000 reviews averaging 4.6 stars, making it the most popular topping in this category.

The blend includes toasted onion, garlic, Italian sea salt, poppy seeds, and sesame seeds. The flip top cap offers two pour sizes: a small opening for sprinkling and a larger one for shaking over a full batch.

Flavor Profile and Balance

Most everything seasonings lean too salty or too seedy. SPQR strikes a balance where the garlic and onion come through first, then the salt, then the seed crunch. I tested it on homemade bagels, avocado toast, and roasted vegetables; it earned a permanent spot in my pantry after the first use.

Value for the Jar Size

At 10 ounces, this jar outlasts smaller competitors by a wide margin. If you bake bagels weekly, one jar covers about 20 batches. The price-per-ounce beats most grocery store options too.

Who This Kit Suits Best

Anyone making homemade bagels needs a reliable topping, and SPQR is the safe bet. It also makes a great stocking stuffer or hostess gift paired with a bagel kit.

How to Choose the Right Bagel Making Kit for Your Kitchen

Picking the right bagel making kit depends on three questions: how much hands-on baking do you want, who is eating the bagels, and how authentic do you need the result to feel.

Decide Between Ingredient Kits and Tool-Only Kits

Complete ingredient kits like the Baketivity Rainbow Bagel Kit ship everything you need, including flour, yeast, and seasonings. These are best for beginners or families because the recipe is pre-tested and foolproof. Tool-only kits like the Bellemain pan or Joyangy cutter assume you already have a dough recipe you trust, but they offer more flexibility over time. If you bake bread regularly, tool-only makes more sense. If you have never made bagels before, an ingredient kit removes the biggest source of failure: bad ratios.

Match the Kit to Your Skill Level

First-time bagel bakers should start with a complete kit that includes instructions and ideally a video walkthrough. The Baketivity kit excels here. Intermediate bakers comfortable with bread dough should consider silicone molds or a steel pan, which give more control over hydration and shaping. Advanced bakers chasing an authentic New York experience should pair bagel boards with a steel pan, because the boards replicate the old-school bakery method for finishing the crust.

Think About Who You Are Baking For

Families with young children do well with colorful, forgiving kits like the Baketivity option. Couples hosting brunch gravitate toward the Lekue system because the molds hold their shape beautifully for photos. Solo bakers or small households save money with a steel pan since yield does not need to be huge. If anyone in your household keeps kosher or has allergies, double-check the kit’s ingredient list, since most pre-measured kits include wheat and may include dairy derivatives in flavoring packets.

Storage and Reuse Considerations

Silicone molds store flat and nest, saving cabinet space. Steel pans take more room but last longer. Bagel boards require air drying and upright storage to prevent mildew. Refillable seasoning jars like SPQR last for months in the pantry. Plan for the storage footprint before you commit, especially if your kitchen is small.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bagel Making Kits

Final Verdict: Which Bagel Making Kit Should You Buy?

If you want the most well-rounded option for a family, the Baketivity Rainbow Bagel Kit earns our editor’s choice for its pre-measured ingredients, video guide, and kid-friendly packaging. If you already bake and just need a tool upgrade, the Bellemain steel pan delivers the best value at 4.8 stars across 4,500+ reviews. For an authentic New York experience, pair TraditionTools bagel boards with any of the steel or silicone pans on this list.

Any of these 8 bagel making kits will turn a regular Saturday morning into a real baking project. Pick the one that matches your skill level and kitchen space, and you will be pulling glossy, chewy bagels out of your oven before lunch. Have fun, and do not skip the malt syrup; it is the secret to that signature bagel flavor.