How To Make Vegan Bagels

You can make vegan bagels easily at home with simple pantry ingredients and a little patience.
 
Vegan bagels are completely achievable, and honestly, they’re just as chewy, golden, and delicious as any traditional bagel you’d grab from a bakery.
 
If you’ve been wanting to learn how to make vegan bagels, you’re in the right place because this guide walks you through every single step.
 
In this post, we’ll cover why homemade vegan bagels beat store-bought versions, the essential ingredients you need, and the foolproof method for boiling and baking them to perfection.
 
Let’s dive right into the floury fun.
 

Why You Should Make Vegan Bagels at Home

Making vegan bagels at home gives you total control over flavor, texture, and freshness.
 
Store-bought vegan bagels often contain preservatives or weird additives, but homemade ones are clean and wholesome.
 
Plus, when you learn how to make vegan bagels from scratch, you’ll save money and impress everyone in your kitchen.
 
And the best part?
 
The process isn’t as intimidating as it sounds, and once you nail it, you’ll never go back to the frozen aisle again.
 

1. They’re Surprisingly Simple to Make

You don’t need fancy equipment to make vegan bagels, just a mixing bowl, some flour, water, yeast, and a pot for boiling.
 
The dough comes together quickly, and most of the time is just waiting for it to rise.
 
So if you’re wondering how to make vegan bagels without a stand mixer, no worries, your hands work just fine.
 
Even a beginner baker can pull this off on their first try.
 

2. You Control the Ingredients

Traditional bagels sometimes include eggs or dairy, but vegan bagels rely on just flour, water, yeast, salt, and a touch of sweetener.
 
That’s it, no eggs, no butter, no milk.
 
This makes them naturally vegan and also lower in fat than their non-vegan counterparts.
 
So when you make vegan bagels yourself, you know exactly what’s going into your body.
 

3. Customization Is Endless

Once you learn how to make vegan bagels, you can flavor them any way you like.
 
Add cinnamon and raisins for a sweet morning treat, or sprinkle sesame seeds and garlic on top for a savory twist.
 
You can also swap white flour for whole wheat or add everything bagel seasoning right into the dough.
 
The possibilities are truly endless with this basic vegan bagel recipe.
 

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Vegan Bagels

Before we get into the step-by-step, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make vegan bagels that come out chewy and shiny.
 
The ingredient list is short, but each part plays an important role in the final texture.
 
Here’s what you need to gather.
 

1. Bread Flour Is Your Best Friend

To make vegan bagels with that signature chewy bite, use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour.
 
Bread flour has a higher protein content, which creates more gluten, and gluten gives bagels their dense, satisfying texture.
 
If you only have all-purpose flour, it will still work, but your bagels will be a bit softer and less chewy.
 
So for the best results, hunt down some bread flour.
 

2. Instant Yeast Speeds Things Up

Instant yeast is perfect for vegan bagels because it doesn’t need to be dissolved in water first.
 
You can mix it directly into your flour, which saves time and reduces the chance of killing the yeast with hot water.
 
Active dry yeast works too, just activate it in warm water with a little sugar for about five minutes before mixing.
 
Either way, you’ll get a beautiful rise.
 

3. A Little Sweetener Helps the Yeast

You don’t need much, just a tablespoon of maple syrup, agave, or even plain sugar.
 
This isn’t for sweetness; it’s food for the yeast so it can produce carbon dioxide and make the dough rise.
 
And unlike some recipes, vegan bagels don’t need honey, which is great because honey isn’t vegan.
 
Use maple syrup or brown sugar instead for a deeper flavor.
 

4. Salt and Water Are the Foundation

Salt adds flavor and strengthens the gluten structure, so don’t skip it.
 
Use lukewarm water around 100°F (38°C) to help the yeast activate quickly.
 
Too hot and you’ll kill the yeast, too cold and the rise will be painfully slow.
 
Getting this balance right is key when you make vegan bagels.
 

Step-by-Step: How to Make Vegan Bagels

Now for the main event, the actual process of making vegan bagels from start to finish.
 
Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll have bakery-quality results in your own kitchen.
 

Step 1: Mix and Knead the Dough

In a large bowl, combine your bread flour, instant yeast, salt, and sweetener.
 
Add the lukewarm water and stir until a shaggy dough forms.
 
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes.
 
You’re looking for a smooth, elastic dough that springs back when you poke it.
 
If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
 
Once it’s smooth, place it in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise for about an hour.
 
The dough should double in size.
 

Step 2: Shape Your Bagels

After the rise, punch the dough down and divide it into eight equal pieces.
 
Roll each piece into a tight ball, then poke a hole through the center with your thumb.
 
Gently stretch the hole to about two inches wide so it won’t close up while baking.
 
Because vegan bagels puff up in the oven, make the hole slightly bigger than you want it to be.
 
Place the shaped bagels on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cover them with a kitchen towel.
 
Let them rest for about 15 minutes.
 

Step 3: Boil the Bagels

This is the secret step that sets vegan bagels apart from regular bread.
 
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, and add a tablespoon of baking soda or barley malt syrup.
 
The baking soda or malt gives the bagels a beautiful golden crust and that shiny exterior.
 
Carefully drop a bagel or two into the boiling water, making sure they don’t touch.
 
Boil each bagel for about 1-2 minutes per side.
 
The longer you boil, the chewier the bagel will be, so adjust based on your preference.
 
Remove the bagels with a slotted spoon and place them back on the baking sheet.
 

Step 4: Add Toppings and Bake

If you’re adding toppings, now is the time.
 
Brush the boiled bagels with a little plant-based milk or just leave them plain.
 
Then sprinkle on sesame seeds, poppy seeds, everything seasoning, or flaky salt.
 
Bake the vegan bagels in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 20-25 minutes.
 
They’re done when they’re deep golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
 
Let them cool on a wire rack before slicing.
 

So, Can You Make Vegan Bagels?

Absolutely, you can make vegan bagels right in your own kitchen with just a handful of ingredients.
 
The process is straightforward, and the payoff is immensely satisfying.
 
Once you’ve mastered how to make vegan bagels, you’ll have a fresh breakfast staple that’s free of animal products and full of flavor.
 
So grab your flour, get your water boiling, and enjoy the chewy, golden goodness of homemade vegan bagels.
 
Happy baking.