Before you get busy with the dough, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). You want the oven nice and warm to create that perfect bagel crust.

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2¼ cups of flour, 4 teaspoons of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt, and ½ teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper. Mix them together well to ensure even distribution.

In another bowl, mix 1½ cups of plain Greek yogurt with the lightly whisked egg white and 1 teaspoon of honey (or maple syrup). Stir together until fully combined. The mixture may look a bit curdled; however, this is perfectly fine—this is where the magic begins!

Slowly add the yogurt mixture to the dry ingredients. Use a spoon or spatula to mix until a rough dough forms. You may want to use your hands here to bring the dough together. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle a little more flour as needed.

Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for a couple of minutes. Aim for a soft, elastic texture without making it too dry. You want to create bagels, not bricks!

Divide the dough into equal portions—aim for 6 or 8, depending on how large you want your bagels. Roll each portion into a ball and poke a hole through the center using your finger. Gently stretch the hole to make it larger, as they’ll puff up during baking.

Place the shaped bagels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush each bagel with egg wash for a shiny finish. Sprinkle sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning on top liberally.

Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bagels turn golden brown. The aroma will drive you wild as they bake!

Once out of the oven, let the bagels cool on a wire rack. Now, the hard part: waiting to taste the deliciousness!