Heart-shaped bagels are a fun, creative twist on the traditional breakfast favorite, making them perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any occasion where you want to add a little love to your morning routine. These adorable bagels are just as delicious as their classic round counterparts, but their heart shape adds a whimsical and festive touch that’s sure to make anyone smile.
Making heart-shaped bagels is surprisingly simple and can be done with your favorite bagel dough recipe. The dough is rolled out into long ropes, then shaped into heart shapes by gently pinching the ends and twisting them together to form a point. Once shaped, the bagels are boiled (as you would with any traditional bagel) to create that signature chewy texture, and then baked to golden perfection.
The beauty of heart-shaped bagels is that they can be customized with different flavors. You can opt for a classic plain bagel, but also get creative with toppings like sesame seeds, everything bagel seasoning, or cinnamon sugar. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, try adding a bit of honey or cinnamon into the dough for a lightly sweetened base that pairs perfectly with cream cheese or fruit spreads.
For a more indulgent version, you can fill the center of the heart-shaped bagel with cream cheese or Nutella before baking, creating a gooey, indulgent treat. Add fresh strawberries, raspberries, or a drizzle of honey to finish it off for a complete breakfast or dessert. Heart-shaped bagels are also perfect for sandwiches, whether you prefer a savory filling like avocado and egg or a classic deli meat combination.
These bagels aren’t just visually appealing -they’re also a fun way to start the day, especially for those you love. Whether served for a Valentine’s Day breakfast or as a cute brunch option, heart-shaped bagels are a delicious way to spread a little joy.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour unbleached
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp active dry yeast or instant yeast
- 1 1/4 cups warm water about 110°F
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 quarts water for boiling
- 2 tbsp honey for boiling
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour and salt. In a small bowl, dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water until foamy, about 5 minutes.
- Add the yeast mixture and vegetable oil to the flour mixture. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Let it rise in a greased bowl for 60 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope and shape into a heart.
- Bring 2 quarts of water and honey to a boil in a large pot. Boil each heart-shaped bagel for about 1-2 minutes per side, then remove with a slotted spoon and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake the bagels for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.
These bagels turned out amazing! They were so soft and tasted delicious. Totally worth the effort.
I’m so glad to hear that! I always thought making bagels was super hard, but I guess I gotta give it a try! ❤️
Are you sure the bagels turned out good? I find bagels hard to mess up, lol. Maybe you just had low expectations? 🤔
Bagels? Heart-shaped? Why do you even need that? Just give me a plain bagel. Ugh.
I tried making these, but they just didn’t come out right. I think I added too much water or something. Not sure I’ll try again.
Sorry to hear your bagels didn’t turn out! Adding too much water can definitely mess up the dough consistency. Don’t give up – try again! Maybe measure the water next time?
Nah, just ignore that! I never measure water and mine are great! Maybe you just didn’t knead enough? They’re supposed to be stretchy!
Not sure about heart-shaped bagels… bagels already kinda have a shape problem lol. Still, the instructions are clear and the dough texture sounded right. I’d rate it higher if it was less finicky to shape.
Haha yeah—bagels are already fighting for their identity 😄. I think the heart shape is doable though if the dough is well kneaded and you don’t over-handle. I agree it could use a little less “finicky” shaping guidance.
Heart-shaped? I just made them round. Still tasted good tho. 🤷♂️
Hey, round bagels can be just as tasty! It’s all about the flavor, right? 😊
But like.. the heart shape is kinda the whole point? 🤔 Still, glad you enjoyed em!
I tried this and the hearts looked like… blobs. I think I boiled too long (maybe 5 minutes per side?). Still ate them, but wow.
Oh no—“blobs” is exactly the fear with boiled bagels 😅 Next time, I’d keep the boil closer to 1 minute per side. 5 minutes sounds like it could really soften the shape. Also try chilling the shaped dough 10 minutes before boiling so it holds better.
Heart-shaped bagels… cute, sure, but are they really bagels without all the malt and long fermentation? Mine were tasty but kind of bready, not that classic chew.
These bagels are so cute! I made them for Valentine’s Day and everyone loved them. 🍞❤️
Love these. Bagels are my jam! They taste better fresh out of the oven.
Totally agree! There’s something magical about fresh bagels. Have you tried any toppings on them?
I don’t know if I did something wrong, but mine came out hard as rocks. 😩
Heart-shaped bagels? That’s kind of silly, but I guess they look nice. Not sure about the taste though.
Silly? Maybe, but it’s a cute idea! Just hope they don’t taste like cardboard 😅.
I think they look adorable! And I bet they taste amazing too, especially fresh out of the oven!
Not bad, but the boil step feels messy. I think I used too much honey because my pot started foaming like crazy. The bagels came out okay, just a little sweet for my taste.
I didn’t have a slotted spoon so I used a regular spoon and that was a disaster—bagels stuck and the shapes got weird. Lesson learned: use the right tool. The taste still was decent.
Ugh, I’m sorry—bagels are so sticky right after boiling. I always use a slotted spoon too; it lets the excess water drip so they don’t glue themselves to the utensil. Your “right tool” lesson is spot on.
I mean… I’ve totally used a regular spoon once and didn’t have that bad of a time 😅 Maybe your spoon was too solid/flat? Or you didn’t drain/let the boiled bagel sit for a sec before moving? Either way, heart shapes sound cute but also fragile.
I added garlic powder and wow it was amazing! Gonna try with cheese next time!
Garlic powder sounds great! Cheese is gonna take it to another level! Can’t wait to hear how it turns out!
I made these for Valentine’s Day and everyone loved them. The outside had that bagel chew and the inside stayed soft. I wish I had cooled them longer though—still warm they’re kind of gummy.
Bagels? Thought we were making bread! 🤔 They weren’t bad.
The dough was a little sticky at first but kneading helped. Shaping 8 hearts was time-consuming though, not gonna lie. Still delicious—kids kept stealing pieces.
Aww the heart shapes sound adorable 🥰 And honestly, I agree—anything heart-shaped takes forever. Glad they turned out delicious!
Mine was sticky too and I was like ‘uh oh’ 😅 but kneading fixed it. Still, shaping into 8 hearts… respect. Next time I’m doing 4 big ones. Kids would steal them here too lol
Good flavor, but 425°F for 20-25 min might be a little much for my oven. I pulled mine at 18 and they were better. Still turned out chewy like bagels should be.
Good call—ovens run hotter than the dial. If you pulled them at 18 and they were better, I’d trust your instincts. Next time I’d start checking around 15–18 for doneness and go for a deeper golden color rather than just the clock.
Not bad, but 1 tbsp honey felt like too little for the boil—next time I’ll add more. Also I think 110°F is a bit hot for my yeast, so I was nervous.
110°F isn’t too hot for active dry yeast… that’s actually right in the usual “warm” zone. If it gets cloudy/foamy after 5 minutes, you’re good. Honey in the boil is more for color/flavor than making it “sweet,” so 1 tbsp might just be milder.
I get what you mean about the honey—mine tasted a little subtle too. I usually do closer to 3 tbsp for the boil, but otherwise this is a super solid base recipe!
These came out awesome—crispy outside and chewy inside. The heart shape is a cute touch too. I’ll definitely make them for date night again.
Delicious and adorable! Making these again for brunch this weekend! 😍
Bagels? More like bagels of love! My partner loved them! 🥰
Heart-shaped? That’s a bit too cutesy for me, but to each their own. 🤨
So glad to hear that! These bagels look amazing! 🥳
Why honey in the water? I used sugar and it tasted basically like sweet bread. Maybe I messed up the yeast timing?
YES! These are a hit at brunch! Super fun to make with kids too!
So glad you think they’re fun! Making dough can really be a great bonding experience with kids. ❤️
I don’t know about that. Do kids really have fun making bagels? They’re just so simple…
I’m skeptical about the heart shaping—8 pieces seems like small bagels. Still, the boiling method worked and they held their shape pretty well. Next time I might make 6 bigger hearts.
I’m not an experienced baker, but I did it and it actually worked. One tip: grease the bowl well so it releases during rising. Otherwise it’s annoying.
Easy enough, and 425°F is a good temp. However, 20-25 minutes was a little long for my oven—mine got darker than golden. I’d start checking at 18.
These bagels are so cute! I made them for Valentine’s Day and everyone loved them! Will definitely make again.
Delish!! I added some garlic powder to the dough and they came out awesome!
Honestly, garlic powder? Not sure if that belongs in bagels. They taste good as is!
Yum! Garlic powder sounds like a great addition! I’ll have to try that next time. Thanks for sharing!
Are you kidding me??? Honey in the water? What a waste of honey. I used sugar instead and they came out fine.
I tried making these but they didn’t rise. I think my yeast was old. 😞
That’s a bummer! Old yeast can really mess things up. Make sure to check the expiration date next time. Good luck! 😊
Loved the sweetness! I might add some cinnamon next time. 👍
Cinnamon sounds like a great addition! I bet it’ll taste even better! 🍞❤️
These bagels are so cute! Just made them for my partner and they loved it! ❤️
I had a lot of trouble shaping them into hearts. Looks more like blobs…🤷♂️
I mixed up the water temp and they didn’t cook right…oops. More of my bad than the recipe tho.
Wut is a bagel? I thought this was a donut recipe. I dunno. 😕
Mine looked heart-shaped in the beginning, then kinda melted into more of an oval. I think my water temp wasn’t boiling hard enough. Still tasted good though.
Easy to follow! Also I put some garlic on top before baking and wow!!! Just wow.
Sounds delish! Garlic and bagels are a great combo! Can’t wait to try it myself.
Just okay, not sure if I’ll make them again. Meh.
So easy to make and they look great! Perfect for Valentine’s Day brunch.
These are so cute! Can’t wait to try them for brunch. 😍
Really? I don’t think they will taste as good as they look. Maybe just stick to regular bagels.
Followed the recipe exactly. They came out tough! Not sure if I did something wrong or what.
I followed it exactly and my dough didn’t feel elastic after 10 minutes—more like sticky playdough. Maybe my water wasn’t warm enough? Ended up adding a bit more flour and they were fine.
They turned out really tough for me. Maybe I kneaded too much? Anyway, not the best experience.
Maybe you did knead too much, or it could be the flour you used. I once made them too chewy and figured it was my flour! Don’t give up! 😄
Wow! 425°F for 20-25 minutes is spot on. They got that classic bagel crust. Will make again for sure.
Yes! That 425°F range really nails the crust. I also found 20 minutes is perfect if you like them a bit softer inside—yours look like they came out great!
I don’t know, the boiling part seems too complicated. Can I just skip it? 🤔
I feel you! Boiling can be intimidating but it really helps with the bagel’s texture. Maybe just try it once? You might like the result!
Nah, just skip it! They probably taste fine anyway. Who has time for boiling? 😂
I don’t get how to shape them like hearts. Do I just fold them? 🤔
I accidentally used brown sugar instead of granulated. Still turned out good!
Bagels are way better from the store. Why waste time making them?
Bagels are bagels, why shape them like hearts? Just eat them!
These came out so cute! The hearts held their shape really well after boiling. I’ll definitely make them again for Valentine’s breakfast. 💕
Aww that’s awesome! I love when the hearts actually keep their shape—bagels can be so stubborn. 💕 I’m trying these for V-day too; did you use active dry or instant yeast?
I followed the recipe, but my dough wouldn’t rise. What did I do wrong?
Did you make sure your yeast was active? Sometimes old yeast won’t rise properly. Also, the water can’t be too hot or too cold.
I’m skeptical about shaping 8 hearts from 4 cups flour, but it worked for me. The honey in the water makes a nice color.
425°F for 20-25 minutes seems long—mine browned way too fast and the inside was a bit doughy. Next time I’ll lower the temp or start checking at 15 minutes.
Heart shaped bagels? Niiice. I gave out some to my neighbors and they were like wow! Great recipe!
These are adorable—made them for my partner and they looked legit like little hearts. The dough was smooth after kneading, and the honey boil gave a nice color. 10/10 would bake again.
Aww I love that—heart shaped bagels are such a sweet idea. Also good call on kneading until smooth and that honey boil really does make them look extra glossy. Thanks for the 10/10 vote! ❤️
Anyone else have issues getting the dough to rise? Mine barely did. Follwed it exactly! 😥
1-2 minutes per side is too short for me, I think. They came out a bit pale. Next time I’ll boil longer and maybe add extra honey. Probably.
Yeah 1–2 minutes can definitely come out pale—bagels usually need that boil *plus* enough bake time to really brown. Next batch, try 2–3 minutes per side and make sure the oven is fully preheated to 425°F. Also, adding a touch more honey can help the color. Your plan sounds spot on.
Not gonna lie, kneading for 10 minutes felt like forever, but the dough did get nice and elastic. I wish the directions said what to do if the dough is too sticky or too dry.
I used instant yeast and it foamed in like 2 minutes, so step 1 was quick. Dough rose beautifully. These are going into my repeat rotation.
Cute idea, but mine didn’t hold the heart shape—more like a lumpy Valentine blob. Still tasted good though. Might be dough too warm or I didn’t shape tightly.
I love the idea, but 425°F feels a bit high for bagels. Mine browned fast before the inside fully dried out. I’d lower to like 400°F or bake a few minutes longer next time.
Pretty good flavor, and the recipe is straightforward. I used instant yeast and it rose fine, but my boil took closer to 2–3 minutes each side for that “bagel” feel.
I followed the steps but my dough was a bit sticky; I added a small dusting of flour while kneading and it worked. Flavor is great, honey in the boil gives a nice sweetness.
These were so cute and surprisingly chewy—my kids loved the hearts. I followed the boil time and they browned perfectly at 425°F.
Not a fan of bagels in general, but these are a nice touch for a special occasion.
The flavor is good, but my dough felt a bit sticky even after 10 minutes of kneading. I ended up adding a little extra flour and they still baked up nicely. The honey boil makes a big difference.
Confused if I can make them for brunch, do I need to let the dough rise again after shaping? Help!
You don’t need to let the dough rise again after shaping! Just shape them and boil them right away!
I think you should let it rise again, they might turn out better that way. Just my opinion!
Why would you boil bagels in honey? Seems weird but I guess it works.
Bagels?? More like rock-bags! Mine turned out hard as a rock. Not cool.
These came out so cute and actually pretty tasty! The honey boiling really adds a nice flavor. Mine weren’t perfectly heart-shaped but still looked awesome. 5/5 for the vibe.
Whose idea was it to boil bagels? Seems like a waste of time. :/
Yummy! Perfect for Valentine’s Day breakfast!
They look nice, but do we really need to boil them? Seems like a lot of work for a bagel.
I can’t believe I’m making bagels! This will be my first time. Hope I don’t mess it up!
Heart-shaped bagels sounds adorable but I found them kind of fussy. Between boiling and shaping, it took forever. Flavor was decent.
Aw that’s a bummer! I get why it feels fussy—heart shaping is definitely more time than regular bagels. Did you try doing the boil in batches so the wait isn’t so long? Also, make sure your water is truly at a steady boil before you drop them in—should cut the fuss a bit.
These bagels turned out amazing! So cute and delicious! ❤️
Glad they turned out great! Those heart shapes are adorable. ❤️
I dunno, heart shaped? Seems a bit gimmicky for bagels. Taste is what matters! 🤷♂️
The ingredient list is solid, but why 2 quarts water for only 8 bagels? That seems like a lot of boiling liquid. Still tasted good, but felt wasteful.
I used instant yeast and proofed only 30 minutes because I got impatient. They came out okay, just not as airy as I expected.
Honestly, 30 minutes with instant yeast is super understandable 😅 If you wanted them airier, that longer rise in the recipe (60 min) really helps develop that lighter texture. Yours still coming out “okay” is a win—next time just give it the full rise and you’ll probably see the difference.
I tried shaping hearts but mine looked more like blobs 😂 The boiling step was the best part though—would totally do that again even if the shape isn’t perfect.
Not gonna lie, the 10 minutes kneading felt too short for me. I kneaded closer to 15 and the texture was way better. Next time I’ll stick to that.
The dough was a little sticky at first, but kneading to “smooth and elastic” really helped. Mine took closer to 12 minutes. Great flavor though!
These are the cutest bagels ever! My kids loved them.
I agree! These bagels are super cute! My son helped make them and he was so proud.
425°F for 20–25 minutes worked for me, but I think my bagels were a little darker than the recipe’s golden. Also, I only got 6 decent hearts instead of 8 because I rushed the shaping. Still tasty though!
Honestly, 2 tbsp honey in the boiling water sounded like way too much, but it worked. Next time I might do a slightly shorter boil because mine were kind of chewy on the outside.
Mine didn’t really rise much—maybe my warm water wasn’t warm enough? Still tasted good, just more like dense rolls than bagels.
Heart-shaped bagels? Seriously? What will they think of next?!
I used whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose. Are they gonna taste weird? 🤔
I messed up the oven temp (thought it was 350?) so they took way longer and came out pale. But the flavor was still good. I’ll try again properly because the concept is cute.
SO GOOD!! 😍
These were better than expected. The crumb stayed soft even after cooling. Would absolutely make again for brunch or parties.
I don’t usually boil bagels, so I was nervous. The boil step is legit though—formed a crust and the hearts held their shape. Great guidance overall.
My water + honey boil smelled amazing, but the bagels floated and then deflated. Maybe I should have boiled harder? Recipe is decent, just temper expectations for first try.
Pretty straightforward recipe. I used instant yeast and the dough rose right on schedule. Baking time was spot on and the crust was nice and golden. Will make again for sure.
The kneading part took me longer than 10 minutes—my dough was sticky at first. But after I stuck with it, it got smooth. Final texture was chewy like a real bagel, so I’m happy.
I used instant yeast and it foamed fast, so step 1 was easy. But mine didn’t rise much in 60 minutes—could be my kitchen being cold. End result was tasty, just a bit dense.
Made these for Valentine’s and they came out adorable. The honey boil gave a nice color and slight sweetness—very “bakery” vibes. Followed the 425°F bake timing and got a great chew.
Not gonna lie, I messed up step 1. I thought the water didn’t need to be 110°F so I used warm-ish tap water. Yeast didn’t foam much, dough was dense. Learn from me 😅
These turned out super cute—perfect little hearts. I followed the kneading time pretty closely and they were chewy like I wanted. Next time I’ll try adding a tiny sprinkle of cinnamon to the dough for fun.
Ok but why is it only 1 tbsp sugar? It tastes sweeter like bready, not bagel-ish, but maybe I’m comparing to store bagels. I added a little more honey to the boil and it improved.
5 stars for cuteness but I think 10 minutes kneading is short. I had to knead longer to get smooth and elastic, otherwise it tore when shaping. Once adjusted, it was great!
One word: delicious.
Meh… they looked pretty but were kinda bland. I might increase the salt or add cinnamon/garlic next time. Also my hearts cracked when baking.
Sorry they were bland 😕 Did you measure the salt as 2 tsp? Heart bagels can definitely need a bit more flavor—cinnamon in the dough or garlic on top could be great. Also, cracked hearts usually come from under-kneading or the dough drying out while shaping—try a shorter shaping time and cover the dough with a towel while you work.
I’m skeptical about the “about 110°F” part—my water was probably hotter and the yeast looked… not foamy, so I panicked. I restarted with fresh yeast and it was fine. Just a heads up to watch the temperature.