Vegan Bagels

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These homemade vegan bagels use just five simple ingredients and create that perfect chewy texture with a slightly crispy exterior that rivals any bakery. I brush them with soy milk instead of egg wash to get that classic golden color, and they freeze well for breakfast prep. Making bagels from scratch might sound intimidating, but I promise, this foolproof recipe makes it really easy!

I used to think making bagels at home was too complicated, but after spending way too much money on expensive artisan bagels that weren’t even vegan, I decided to figure out how to make my own.

The secret turned out to be much simpler than I expected! Using just flour, yeast, warm water, sugar, and salt, I can create bagels that are better than any store-bought version. The boiling step is what gives them that signature chewy texture, and the double-rise method creates the perfect density.

Now I make double batches every few weeks and freeze them for quick breakfasts. My kids love helping shape the bagels, and there’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh bagels baking in the oven. They’re perfect with vegan cream cheese, peanut butter, or turned into sandwiches for lunch.

🥘 Ingredients

You really don’t need anything fancy to make bagels at home! Here’s what I use to make this recipe:

Yeast: I use active dry yeast or instant yeast to help the dough rise. Note: I always check the expiration date since expired yeast won’t work.

Warm Water: I use water twice in this recipe – once to activate the yeast, and then again in the dough. Important: The water should be around 105°F, warm to the touch but not hot. If it’s too hot, it will kill the yeast.

Sugar: I add 1 tablespoon to feed the yeast and help with browning. Maple syrup (1 tablespoon) also works as a 1:1 replacement.

Flour: I use 3½ cups all-purpose flour or bread flour. Bread flour will create a chewier texture. For gluten-free bagels, I can try a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend (3½ cups), though I haven’t tested this myself.

Salt: Salt is essential to homemade bread. Bread without salt will taste bland. It doesn’t take much, but it makes all the difference!

📖 Variations

You can change up this easy vegan bagels recipe with a variety of flavors! Here are some of our favorites:

Peanut Butter: Slice and toast your bagel, then spread on peanut butter for added protein. Add blueberry jam, marmalade or even cranberry preserves or a twist on the typical PBJ!

Bagel Sandwiches: Homemade bagels make excellent sandwiches. Try avocado, red onion, cucumber, and hummus, vegan cheddar and tomato, chickpea salad, BBQ jackfruit, or tofu and veggies! You can also just go simple and classic by spreading vegan cream cheese and homemade vegan carrot lox on your bagels!

Savory Toppings: Top bagels with sesame seeds, caraway seeds, poppy seeds, sea salt, dried minced onions, dried minced garlic, or everything bagel seasoning.

Cinnamon Swirl: For a sweet bagel, sprinkle the tops with cinnamon sugar before going into the oven. Mix together equal parts brown sugar and regular sugar then mix in cinnamon to taste. For a lighter cinnamon flavor add one teaspoon, and for a stronger flavor add two. You can also make cinnamon raisin bagels by adding 1/8-1/4 cup raisins into the batter before baking!

Maple Syrup: I also like to add sugar to the boiling water for an even better texture. You can substitute maple syrup for this if you prefer.

Gluten Free Vegan Bagels: While we haven’t tested this, I think that a 1:1 gluten free baking flour would work in this recipe. If you try it with a gluten free 1:1 baking flour, let me know how it turns out!

🔪 Instructions

Activate yeast: Combine the yeast, sugar, and 1/2 cup of warm water in your mixing bowl. Cover it and place in a warm place so the yeast can do its thing!

Combine dry ingredients: Whisk together the flour and salt then set it aside.

Add yeast mixture: Once the yeast is foamy, add it to the flour mixture with the remaining water.

Make & knead dough: Stir to make the dough then move it to a lightly floured work surface. Knead the dough with your hands for 10 minutes until smooth.

Let dough rise: Place the dough into a lightly oiled large bowl to prevent it from sticking. Cover the bowl and place it in a warm spot like a sunny window to let the dough rise.

Shape and cut dough: Once the yeasted dough has doubled in size, knock the air out with your hands then shape it into a log. Cut it into eight equal pieces and roll them into balls.

Make Bagel Shapes: Use a wooden spoon to poke a hole in each ball and then gently stretch it out with your fingers.

Bagel water bath: Let the bagels rise and rest some more while you bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Boil Bagels: Boiling bagels is essential for a crisp exterior but chewy texture on the inside. Add a little bit of sugar to the water bath to help caramelize the bagels while they’re boiling (optional). Boil bagels for one minute per side then place on a lined baking sheet (with parchment paper).

Coat & bake: Brush each bagel with soy milk, then top with your favorite toppings! Bake in 390F/200C preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.

Allow to cool: Once bagels are done, remove them from the oven and let cook on a rack before slicing. If you try to slice them while they’re hot, they will get smooshed!

❓ Recipe FAQs

💭 Expert Tips

• Don’t rush the rise! If you cut this time short, you may end up with dense bagels.
• You need warm water for the yeast to activate: The water needs to be around 105 degrees F / 40 C.
• Let the dough rise in a warm spot for best results.
• Be sure to keep the dough covered so the top doesn’t try out.
• Boil the these vegan-friendly bagels for an entire minute on each side. This is what makes them chewy!
• Boiling the bagels in water with sugar gives a lovely surface caramelization when cooked.
• I discovered through lots of practice that the water temperature is absolutely crucial – too hot and it kills the yeast, too cold and the dough won’t rise properly. I always test the water on my wrist to make sure it’s warm but not hot. The sugar feeds the yeast and helps create those tiny air bubbles that give the bagels their texture.
  

🍞 More Bread Recipes!

• Gluten Free Bread Recipe
• Vegan Graham Cracker Recipe
• Bruschetta Burrata
• Vegan Bruschetta
• Healthy Cornbread Recipe

📋 Recipe Card