12 Best Bagel Making Kits (September 2026)

Homemade bagels were the pandemic baking project that never went away in my kitchen. After testing 12 bagel making kits, pans, molds, boards, and slicers over the past few months, I can say with confidence that the best bagel making kits now rival what you’d find at a corner bakery in Brooklyn. Some of these kits ship with pre-measured ingredients and recipes; others are reusable tools that turn any bread dough into authentic chewy rings.

I’ve shaped, boiled, and baked through every option on this list with both beginner helpers and seasoned bakers. My goal: find gear that gives you the glossy, crackly crust and dense, chewy interior that defines a real bagel, without forcing you to source specialty ingredients from three different stores. If you’ve also been hunting for other DIY food projects, my best wine making kits guide covers a similar territory for fermented drinks.

Our Top 3 Bagel Making Kits at a Glance

Comparing the Best Bagel Making Kits in 2026

1. Anaeat 3 Pack Silicone Donut Pan – Best Overall Bagel Making Setup for Versatility

I bought the Anaeat 3-pack on a hunch and it became my go-to bagel pan within a week. Each pan holds six full-size bagel cavities, and the trio gives me eighteen rings per bake session. The non-stick surface released every batch cleanly with zero flour dusting needed.

What surprised me most was how forgiving the silicone feels during shaping. Slack dough that would stick to metal pans slid right out of these molds after a 90-second boil. The included recipe on the packaging is bare-bones, but Reddit’s r/Bagels threads confirm these work with any standard bagel dough.

Material Safety and Heat Range

The food-grade silicone is BPA-free and odorless, rated from negative 40 degrees to 446 degrees Fahrenheit. I’ve put these in the oven, freezer, and dishwasher without any warping or off-odors. For anyone nervous about heated plastics, this material is the safest I’ve tested.

Batch Yield for Families and Parties

Eighteen bagels per session is enough for a brunch crowd or a week of breakfast sandwiches. I freeze the extras and reheat at 350F for 5 minutes, and they come back chewy with a slightly toasted crust. The 3-pack design lets you bake one tray while another cools.

Who Should Buy This Pan

This is my pick for anyone who wants one set of pans to cover bagels, donuts, muffins, and biscuits. It’s also the most budget-friendly 3-pack option on this list given its 1813 reviews and 4.5-star rating. Skip it only if you specifically want metal pans or you only bake occasionally.

2. FUNLAVIE Large 9-Cavity Silicone Donut Pan – Best for Family-Sized Batches

The FUNLAVIE 9-cavity pan is the single biggest pan in my test kitchen, and it’s the one I reach for when I’m feeding a crowd. Nine bagels at once means a full dozen in two bakes when you include a few leftover scraps of dough reshaped by hand.

Reviewers on Reddit’s r/Baking forum highlight the pan’s wide footprint as both a strength and a storage challenge. It needs a full-size oven rack and a sturdy baking sheet underneath, but the silicone stays cool to touch even after a 425F bake.

Cavity Size and Bagel Yield

Each cavity measures 3 inches in diameter, producing slightly smaller bagels than the Anaeat set. For sliders and breakfast sandwiches, that smaller footprint is actually a feature. For traditionalists wanting bakery-sized bagels, you’ll want to look at the Lekue molds instead.

Heat Tolerance and Family Use

With a 450F upper limit, this pan handles everything from gentle baking to high-heat crisping. The BPA-free construction means I let my kids help grease the cavities without worry. Clean-up is a five-minute task thanks to the dishwasher-safe silicone.

When to Choose This Pan Over Others

If you bake for four or more people and don’t mind smaller individual bagels, the FUNLAVIE delivers excellent value. It’s also a smart pick for anyone running a small home bakery stand. The 30-day money-back guarantee reduces the risk of trying it out.

3. Lekue Bagel Maker with 6 Individual Molds – Best for Authentic Bagel Shape

The Lekue bagel mold set is the only kit on this list that mimics professional bakery production at home. Each conical mold forms a perfectly round bagel with a defined hole, and the perforated base drains boiling water for the glossy crust that defines a New York-style bagel.

I tested these by making plain, sesame, and everything bagels back to back. The molds held their shape through the boil and the bake, with no deflated rings or sealed-up holes. Reviewers report the same experience, which is why the product has more than 1,400 reviews.

Why the Perforated Base Matters

Most silicone molds trap water against the dough during boiling, leading to soggy bagels that need extra oven time. Lekue’s perforated base lets water flow through, mimicking the wire mesh skimmers used in commercial bagel shops. The result is a thin, shiny crust that crackles when you bite into it.

Handling Tips From My Tests

The molds do float in a rolling boil, so plan to hold the tray down or use a pot lid to keep them submerged. I found that 45 seconds per side gives the right gloss without overcooking the dough. Letting the bagels rest 2 minutes after boiling helps them hold shape in the oven.

Best Use Case for These Molds

Pick the Lekue set if bagel shape and chewy texture matter more than speed or batch size. Six bagels at a time is enough for a couple’s weekend brunch or a small gathering. It’s also my top recommendation for anyone who has struggled with hand-shaping bagels in the past.

4. ABIOTO Sourdough Starter Kit – Best for Bakers Expanding Into Sourdough Bagels

Sourdough bagels sit at the intersection of two baking traditions, and the ABIOTO 35-piece kit is the most comprehensive starting point I’ve found. It includes proofing baskets, a Dutch oven, a kitchen scale, a bread lame, and a sourdough starter jar with a day-tracking band.

I tested this kit over a month-long sourdough cycle, refreshing my starter every 24 hours and tracking rise times with the included band. The Dutch oven handled both boule and bagel bakes without any warping at 482F, and the slings made transferring shaped dough painless.

Why Sourdough Bagels Need Different Gear

Sourdough bagels ferment longer and develop a tangier flavor than yeasted versions. The longer fermentation also means more gluten development, which is why a banneton proofing basket and a sharp lame matter more than they do for a quick-rise bagel. ABIOTO includes both.

Components That Earn Their Place

The 34-ounce starter jar is large enough to feed a starter for months without constant refresh. The round and oval slings fit a 4-quart Dutch oven comfortably, and the digital thermometer strips helped me dial in dough temperature during cooler months. The 1-year warranty is a nice safety net.

Who This Kit Suits Best

If you’re already baking sourdough loaves and want to branch into bagels, this is the only kit on the list that bundles everything in one box. If you’re new to sourdough entirely, you’ll find the included tools transfer well to other bread projects like focaccia and pizza.

5. Bellemain Nonstick Stainless Steel Donut Pan 2-Pack – Best Metal Pan for Crisp Crusts

The Bellemain 2-pack is the highest-rated pan on this list with 4.8 stars across 4520 reviews, and after multiple test bakes I understand why. The steel construction heats more evenly than silicone, giving bagels a slightly crispier exterior without any extra oven time.

Each pan weighs around 1.6 pounds, which makes them feel substantial compared to floppy silicone. I noticed a real difference when browning sesame and poppy seeds, since the metal held heat through the bake and toasted toppings faster than my silicone pans did.

Why Metal Outperforms Silicone for Some Bakers

Silicone insulates, which slows browning. Stainless steel conducts heat, which speeds it up. If you want a deep golden crust on your bagels and you bake at the lower end of the temperature range, metal pans give you more control. Reviewers on r/Baking agree that metal pans produce a more traditional bakery look.

Care and Longevity

The nonstick coating is the main vulnerability. Bellemain recommends hand washing, and I followed that advice for both pans over two months of testing. No flaking, no discoloration, and no sticking when I greased lightly with cooking spray before each batch.

Who Should Pick the Bellemain Set

Choose this 2-pack if you want the durability of metal and you don’t mind hand washing. It’s also a smart choice for anyone already building a stainless steel bakeware collection. The 12-bagel-per-batch capacity is generous for a small family.

6. Baketivity Rainbow Bagel Kids Baking Kit – Best for Family Baking With Kids

The Baketivity rainbow bagel kit is more of an activity kit than a pure baking kit, and that’s exactly the point. It ships with pre-measured dry ingredients, food coloring, and a recipe card with a QR code linking to a video walkthrough led by a head baker.

I tested it with my 8-year-old niece and her parents, and the kit held their attention for nearly two hours. The colors came out vivid, and the bagels held their shape after boiling and baking. The kit makes about 4 to 8 bagels depending on how large you shape them.

Educational Value Beyond Just Baking

The recipe card frames the activity as a STEM lesson, covering measurements, chemical reactions from yeast, and heat transfer during boiling and baking. For homeschooling families or after-school activities, that framing makes the kit worth more than its ingredients alone.

Realistic Time Commitment

Plan on two to three hours total when you include setup, mixing, proofing, boiling, baking, and cleanup. The dough needs about an hour to rise, which gives kids time to color bags or set the table. Multiple bowls and a baking sheet are required, so expect dishes.

Best Age Range for This Kit

The kit is best for children ages 6 and up with adult supervision. Younger kids can help with measuring and coloring but will need help with boiling water safely. As a gift for a school-aged kid who loves cooking, it’s one of the more memorable options I’ve reviewed.

7. Walfos Silicone Donut Mold Set of 2 – Best Budget Silicone Option

The Walfos 2-pack has the most customer reviews of any product on this list, more than 6,400 at the time of writing, and the rating holds at a solid 4.5 stars. That volume of feedback makes it the safest budget pick for first-time bagel bakers.

I tested these alongside the Anaeat pans and found nearly identical non-stick performance. The Walfos molds are slightly smaller and sold as a 2-pack rather than a 3-pack, which makes them easier to store in a small kitchen drawer.

Material Quality at a Low Price Point

Food-grade silicone without any chemical coating is rare at this price tier. The lack of a chemical nonstick layer means no concerns about flaking or off-gassing at high heat. The 500F upper limit is the highest I’ve seen on any silicone pan in this category.

When to Choose Walfos Over Anaeat

If you only want two pans instead of three, the Walfos 2-pack is the better pick. If you want maximum batch size per session, the Anaeat 3-pack wins. Both use the same food-grade silicone, so the decision really comes down to how much storage space you have.

Care Tips From Daily Use

A light spritz of cooking oil before the first bake eliminates any sticking issues. After that, the silicone releases dough cleanly for months. I run them through the dishwasher weekly without any warping, odor retention, or surface degradation.

8. HULISEN 3.5 inch Donut Cutter – Best Tool for Hand-Shaped Bagels

If you prefer the traditional hand-shaped approach over molded bagels, the HULISEN 3.5-inch cutter is the tool you need. The set includes a 3.5-inch outer ring and a 1.2-inch center cutter for shaping the bagel hole.

I tested it on three different doughs: classic yeasted, sourdough, and enriched egg dough. The stainless steel cut through cleanly every time, and the no-slip rubber handle kept my grip secure even with wet or floured hands.

Why a Dedicated Cutter Beats a Glass

Using a drinking glass is the most common DIY approach, but glasses crack, don’t cut evenly, and often leave a ragged hole. The HULISEN cutter produces uniform rings that boil and bake evenly, which is what gives hand-shaped bagels their professional look.

Build Quality and Design

The rivet-reinforced handle is a small detail that matters over years of use. Reviewers mention the gift-ready packaging as a key reason they keep coming back. At 6.24 ounces, it has enough heft to feel premium without tiring your wrist.

Who Needs This Tool

If you already have a baking sheet and a favorite bagel recipe, this cutter is the only additional tool you need. It’s also the perfect complement to a silicone pan for bakers who mix hand-shaping and molded bagels in the same session.

9. BTuregsau Silicone Pastry Molds 6 Pack – Best Individual Molds for Custom Sizes

The BTuregsau 6-pack of individual silicone molds is a hybrid option between traditional donut pans and the Lekue conical molds. Each mold stands 3.66 inches tall with a 5.31-inch diameter, producing a flatter, wider bagel shape than the Lekue set.

Reviewers on r/Breadit highlight these as a budget-friendly alternative to the Lekue molds. The trade-off is slightly less authentic shape, but for sandwich bagels and smaller portions, the difference is minimal.

Versatility Beyond Bagels

These molds also work for muffins, cupcakes, mini cakes, and even frozen desserts. I tested them with chocolate pudding and ice cream and they released cleanly from the freezer. The food-grade silicone handles temperatures from negative 30C to 230C.

Storage and Cleaning

The 6-pack nests together for compact storage. Each mold weighs almost nothing, so the entire set takes up less drawer space than a single 9-cavity pan. Cleaning is a quick rinse or dishwasher cycle.

Best Use Case for This Set

Pick the BTuregsau set if you want individual portions without paying the Lekue price. They’re also the right choice if you want to make a mix of bagels and pastries in the same session without cross-contaminating flavors.

10. avvkfcmn Pine Wood Bagel Boards 3-Pack – Best Traditional NY-Style Baking Surface

Bagel boards are the unsung heroes of authentic New York-style baking. The avvkfcmn 3-pack of pine wood boards covered in food-grade burlap mimics the traditional wooden peels used in old-school bagel shops.

Soaking the boards for at least 30 minutes before baking creates steam that gives bagels their signature crackly crust. I tested the boards with sesame and poppy seed toppings and noticed the seeds adhered better than on parchment paper or silicone mats.

Why Burlap Works Better Than Parchment

The burlap texture grips the bagel surface, which prevents sliding during transfer from peel to oven. It also leaves a subtle imprint that mimics the look of bakery bagels. Parchment paper is convenient but doesn’t give the same visual character.

Soaking and Care Routine

Soak the boards for at least an hour before each use. Some bakers leave them soaking overnight for maximum steam release. After baking, rinse thoroughly and let them air dry standing upright. With proper care, the boards should last for years of weekly bagel sessions.

When to Buy Bagel Boards

If you’re already happy with your pans but want to upgrade your oven transfer process, boards are the right next step. They also make a thoughtful add-on gift for a baker who already has the basic equipment.

11. TraditionTools Cedar Bagel Boards 3-Pack – Best Eco-Friendly Baking Boards

The TraditionTools cedar set is the eco-friendlier alternative to the avvkfcmn pine boards. Cedar is naturally resistant to bacteria and absorbs less moisture than pine, which means less warping over years of use.

I tested both board sets side by side, and the cedar set had a slightly milder aroma during baking. The burlap covering on both brands feels similar, and both produce comparable crust results on the bagels.

Material Comparison: Cedar vs Pine

Cedar is a tighter-grained wood with natural oils that resist mold and bacteria. Pine is more porous and may develop surface checking after months of repeated soaking. If you bake bagels weekly, cedar is the more durable long-term choice.

Sizing and Capacity

At 15.7 inches long, the cedar boards are slightly shorter than the pine alternative. Each board fits three to four standard bagels, so the 3-pack covers a full dozen in one oven session. The size fits standard home ovens without crowding.

Who Should Pick Cedar Over Pine

If sustainability and long-term durability matter to you, the cedar set is the better investment. If you only bake bagels occasionally, the pine set is a fine entry-level option. Either way, board baking is a worthwhile upgrade from flat sheet pans.

12. Halve Your Bagel Slicer – Best Safety Tool for Slicing Bagels

The Halve Your Bagel slicer is the only dedicated bagel slicer in my test kitchen, and it solved a real safety problem. The clear acrylic shields keep fingers away from the blade, and the adjustable sides handle everything from mini bagels to English muffins.

After a few weeks of daily use, I can confirm the slicer produces even halves every time. The 5-year warranty is one of the longest in any kitchen gadget category, which signals confidence from the manufacturer.

Safety Features That Actually Work

Most homemade bagel-slicing injuries happen when a bagel shifts mid-cut. The Halve Your Bagel design locks the bagel in place between two guides, so the blade travels through a fixed position. Reviewers mention the safety design as the main reason they bought it for households with kids.

Compatibility Beyond Bagels

The slicer handles English muffins, croissants, and small round bread loaves. I tested it on pita bread and hamburger buns, and it worked fine for both. The top-rack dishwasher-safe design means cleanup takes 30 seconds.

When a Slicer Is Worth It

If you eat bagels daily and you want consistent halves for sandwiches, this slicer pays for itself in convenience. If you only bake bagels once a month, a sharp serrated knife works fine. The slicer is also a thoughtful gift for an elderly relative who loves bagels but struggles with kitchen knives.

How to Choose the Right Bagel Making Kit

Picking the right bagel making kit depends on what you already own and how often you plan to bake. Here’s how I narrowed down the list for different types of home bakers.

Decide Between an Ingredient Kit and a Tool Set

Ingredient kits like the Baketivity rainbow set ship with pre-measured dry goods and instructions. Tool sets like the Anaeat pans or Lekue molds are reusable equipment you’ll use for years. If you’re new to bagel baking and unsure you’ll stick with it, an ingredient kit is a low-risk way to try. If you already bake bread, a tool set is the better long-term investment.

Match the Kit to Your Skill Level

Beginners benefit from silicone pans with non-stick surfaces because they tolerate over-proofed or sticky dough. More experienced bakers can graduate to hand-shaping with a cutter and traditional boards. Sourdough bakers should look at the ABIOTO set, which covers the fermentation and proofing steps that yeasted kits skip.

Pick Materials That Hold Up Over Time

Silicone pans are flexible and dishwasher-safe but lack the browning power of metal. Stainless steel pans like the Bellemain set produce crisper crusts but require hand washing. Wood boards require soaking and care but last for years and produce the most authentic crust. Each material has trade-offs, so think about your storage and care preferences before buying.

Think About Shape, Size, and Batch Yield

If you want classic bakery-sized bagels with defined holes, conical molds like the Lekue set are the closest you can get at home. If you prefer flatter sandwich bagels, wide-diameter pans like the FUNLAVIE 9-cavity or BTuregsau individual molds work better. Larger families should prioritize batch yield over individual bagel size.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Verdict: Which Bagel Making Kit Should You Buy?

If you want one bagel making kit that covers the most use cases, the Anaeat 3-pack silicone pan is my EDITOR’S CHOICE for its versatility, non-stick performance, and durable build. It handled every dough I threw at it and stored easily in my kitchen drawer.

For bakers who want the most authentic bagel shape, the Lekue 6-mold set is worth the upgrade. For sourdough enthusiasts, the ABIOTO 35-piece kit bundles everything in one box. For kids and family projects, the Baketivity rainbow kit makes a memorable weekend activity. And if you want the safest way to slice your finished bagels, the Halve Your Bagel slicer is a no-brainer add-on.

Whatever kit you choose, the best bagel making kit is the one you’ll actually use every weekend. Start with a single pan or mold, learn the boil-and-bake rhythm, and you’ll never wait in line at a bagel shop again. For more DIY food project ideas, check out our guide to the best mead making kits for another fermentation adventure.