Vegan Bagel Recipe (soft & crispy) (2024)

FAQs

What makes a bagel vegan? ›

There's nothing quite like the dense, toothy texture of bagels. In their most basic form, bagels are vegan, made from just flour, water, yeast, and salt. But other non-vegan ingredients—including dairy, honey, and eggs, along with less easily identifiable animal products—commonly appear in commercially produced bagels.

Swapping in ½ cup of whole-wheat flour for ½ cup of the bread flour will make the bagels slightly less chewy but will also give them a boost of flavor.

When too much flour is kneaded in, bagels become dense, hard and tough, instead of crisp and chewy. It can easily take 10 minutes of mixing and kneading before the right texture and gluten strength is achieved.

Bread flour is the essential ingredient to creating that distinct chewy bite we all crave in a bagel. Its high protein content creates a stiff dough that holds its shape while baking and develops more gluten for more chew.

Trader Joe's is known for its innovative and affordable food options, and their vegan bagels are no exception. From classic flavors like Plain and Everything to their seasonal Pumpkin variety, Trader Joe's has something for every palate.

Do You Need an Egg Wash for Bagels? Nope! Boiling the bagels eliminates the need for an egg wash. Instead, you'll simply sprinkle your seasonings onto the still-wet bagels as soon as they come out of the water.

All-purpose flour has a lower percentage of protein which means that it will produce a much softer texture. You need the higher protein content from the bread flour which creates more gluten and a more elastic dough. This equals the ideal chewy bagel.

The rule of thumb with fresh bagels is to immediately freeze whole bagels that you won't eat that day. By freezing them straight away, you'll retain as much moisture within the bagel as possible, resulting in a softer, chewier bagel when you defrost them.

Bread flour – Because of its high protein content, bread flour makes these homemade bagels delightfully chewy. This recipe also works with all-purpose flour, they're just a bit less chewy than bagels made with bread flour. Maple syrup – It activates the yeast and gives the bagels a hint of sweetness.

The oven should be preheated between 450-500℉. A relatively high temperature is necessary to achieve the distinctively crispy, golden-brown crust of a classic bagel. Bake the bagels for about 5-10 minutes, then flip over and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes.

Why did my bagels come out hard after baking? ›

Tough and Matte

The loss of air and super-long fermentation can also make bagels seem tough rather than chewy, so be careful when pushing the upper limits of the proof time.

NYC bagel purists will claim the main difference between a New York bagel vs. a regular bagel is the water you boil them in. Much like a specific vineyard terroir is used to make a wine, certain minerals in New York City tap water are attributed to creating the best bagels.

According to popular mythology, the uniquely superb texture of the New York bagel has to do with New York City's water — specifically, its low concentrations of calcium and magnesium, which make it softer.

A New York–style bagel is always boiled in water that has had barley malt added, which gives a bagel its signature taste, texture, and leathery skin.

Regular bagels are vegan, but some types may include extra flavors, additives, or fillings that are animal-derived and thus not vegan. These include honey, eggs, or dairy in the dough, as well as cheese, meats, or fish in the fillings.

Vegan Bagels and Cream Cheese Make The Best Vegan Breakfast

Simply check the bagels—or English muffins, if you prefer—and the cream cheeses available at your local grocery or health-food store for animal-derived ingredients such as eggs, dairy products, or honey.

In Summary. So, in summary, most classic bagels are vegan unless they include milk, honey, and eggs in the ingredient list. Thankfully, it's fairly easy to avoid these unwanted ingredients, as most places and grocery stores carry vegan options for bagels!

Many of Panera's bagels, including Plain, Blueberry, Sesame, and Everything, are vegan. There are no vegan spreads for the bagels at this time.