Bagels are one of the most beloved baked goods in America, but producing them consistently at scale can be challenging. From mixing and shaping to boiling and baking, each step of the process requires precision to achieve that perfect chewy interior and golden crust on the exterior that your customers expect. Even the smallest mistakes can lead to wasted dough, uneven bagels, or an inconsistent texture.

Fortunately, many of these common production mistakes can be solved with extra care and the right equipment. We’ve helped bakeries and bagel shops across the country address these challenges with dependable, efficient solutions designed to deliver quality and consistency, helping you avoid the six most common mistakes that we've identified below.

Mistake #1: Overmixing or Undermixing the Dough

A bagel’s signature chew starts with proper dough development. Overmixing can cause the dough to toughen and lose elasticity, while undermixing leaves it weak and inconsistent. Both can result in bagels that don’t bake evenly.

The Fix: Spiral Mixers are engineered for both strength and precision. Designed to handle dense bagel doughs with ease, they ensure complete, even mixing every time without overheating or overworking the dough. The result? Consistent gluten development and the perfect foundation for every batch.

Mistake #2: Inconsistent Portioning and Shaping

Hand-dividing and rolling bagels during a busy morning can lead to uneven sizes, irregular shapes, and even inconsistent bake times. When every bagel looks different, your brand consistency takes a hit and so does your overall efficiency.

The Fix: The Bagel Divider & Former that automates the dividing and shaping process, producing thousands of perfectly uniform bagels per hour. This machine ensures every bagel is the same size, shape, and weight, reducing waste and boosting overall output. Plus, it’s compact and easy to integrate into your existing workflow.

Mistake #3: Uneven Proofing

Proofing too long or too short can drastically affect your bagel’s texture. Underproofed bagels are dense and heavy, while overproofed ones may flatten or lose their signature chew.

The Fix: Investing in a Temperature and Humidity-Controlled Proof Box allows you to maintain consistent proofing conditions at all times. Empire’s proofing equipment is built to help you manage each batch with accuracy, ensuring perfectly proofed bagels every time.

Mistake #4: Skipping or Rushing the Boiling (or Steaming) Stage

The boiling or steaming stage is what separates authentic bagels from bread rolls. Skipping or rushing this process results in a dry, bread-like texture rather than that glossy, chewy crust that customers love.

The Fix: Bagel Kettles and Hoods designed for proper boiling, to allow you to achieve that signature crust and color associated with New York-style bagels. Can't give up the space for a dedicated bagel kettle? Our Rack Ovens with integrated steam systems offer a modern alternative that maintains texture and shine while improving production speed.

Mistake #5: Uneven Baking

Hot spots, uneven airflow, and unreliable temperature control can all lead to bagels that bake inconsistently.

The Fix: The right oven makes all the difference. Revolving Ovens and Rack Ovens are engineered for even heat distribution and precise temperature control. Whether you’re producing traditional boiled bagels or modern steam-baked varieties, our ovens ensure every batch comes out beautifully consistent.

Mistake #6: Improper Maintenance and Cleaning

Even the best equipment can’t perform well if it isn’t properly maintained. Dough residue, worn belts, or misaligned components can cause production slowdowns and affect product quality.

The Fix: Regular maintenance schedules and easy-clean designs are key. Bagel equipment built with user-friendly access panels and minimal moving parts like Empire's make daily cleaning and long-term care a straightforward process. Our team also provides ongoing service support to keep your production line running smoothly.

Final Thoughts

Perfection in bagel production comes from mastering the process and pairing your skill with the right equipment. Whether you’re opening your first bagel shop or scaling up for wholesale production, Empire Bakery Equipment provides the tools and expertise to help you avoid costly mistakes, boost efficiency, and deliver consistently delicious results.

From dough to delivery, Empire is here to help you build a better bagel.