Bagels are a beloved breakfast staple, perfect for toasting and adding your favorite spreads, or enjoying as a sandwich. Making soft and chewy vegan bagels at home is easier than you think, and with a few simple ingredients, you can create the perfect batch of bagels that are both fluffy on the inside and chewy on the outside. In this guide, we’ll take you step by step through the process of making these homemade vegan bagels.
Ingredients for Vegan Bagels
To make your own soft and chewy vegan bagels, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour):
All-purpose flour is typically used for bagels, but you can also use bread flour for extra chewiness due to its higher protein content. The type of flour you choose affects the texture of the bagels, so choose based on your preference for a softer or chewier bite. - 1 tablespoon sugar: Vegan Bagels
Sugar helps activate the yeast and adds a subtle sweetness to the dough. It also contributes to the browning of the bagels during baking, giving them a golden color and a slight sweetness on the surface. - 2 teaspoons salt: Vegan Bagels
Salt is an important flavor enhancer in bagel dough. It also helps to control the fermentation of the dough, ensuring a well-balanced flavor. - 2 teaspoons active dry yeast:
Yeast is the leavening agent that helps the dough rise and gives bagels their chewy texture. Active dry yeast should be activated with warm water to get it working properly. Be sure your yeast is fresh to avoid flat or dense bagels. - 1 1/2 cups warm water:
Warm water is used to activate the yeast. It should be around 110°F (43°C). Too hot or too cold water can harm the yeast, so it’s important to use the correct temperature to ensure proper activation. - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or any neutral-flavored oil):
The oil adds moisture to the dough and helps create a softer texture. You can use vegetable oil, canola oil, or any other neutral-flavored oil that doesn’t overpower the flavor of the bagels. - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave syrup (for boiling the bagels):
Maple syrup or agave syrup is added to the water for boiling the bagels before baking. This helps to create a shiny, golden crust on the bagels and adds a touch of sweetness to the exterior. - Toppings of choice (sesame seeds, poppy seeds, everything bagel seasoning, etc.):
Bagels are often topped with a variety of seeds and seasonings for added flavor and texture. Sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or an everything bagel seasoning mix are popular choices. You can customize the topping based on your preference.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy and bubbly. This means the yeast is activated and ready to go.
Step 2: Make the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the activated yeast mixture and vegetable oil. Stir with a wooden spoon or dough hook until the dough begins to come together.
Once the dough starts forming, transfer it to a floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle a bit more flour; if it’s too dry, add a tiny bit of warm water.
Step 3: Let the Dough Rise
Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm area for 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 4: Shape the Bagels
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Turn it out onto a floured surface and divide the dough into 8-10 equal pieces.
To shape each bagel, roll a piece of dough into a ball. Then, use your thumb to create a hole in the center of each ball, stretching the hole out until it’s about 2-3 inches wide. If you prefer smaller or larger bagels, adjust the size accordingly.
Step 5: Boil the Bagels – Vegan Bagels
Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add the maple syrup or agave syrup to the water – this helps give the bagels their golden color and slight sweetness.
Carefully drop the shaped bagels into the boiling water, one or two at a time, and let them cook for 1-2 minutes on each side. The bagels should float to the surface, signaling they are done. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bagels and place them on a clean kitchen towel or parchment paper to drain.
Step 6: Add Toppings- Vegan Bagels
Once all the bagels are boiled, brush the tops lightly with a little water, then sprinkle your desired toppings (sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything bagel seasoning) on top.
Step 7: Bake the Bagels Vegan Bagels
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange the boiled bagels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they have enough space between them to rise further. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bagels are golden brown on top.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Remove the bagels from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before slicing. Serve with vegan butter, cream cheese, or your favorite toppings.
Tips for Perfect Vegan Bagels
- Water Temperature:
The water used to activate the yeast should be warm but not too hot. Water that’s too hot (above 120°F/49°C) can kill the yeast, preventing the dough from rising properly. Ideal water temperature for activating yeast is around 110°F (43°C), which helps the yeast bloom and produce the necessary gases for leavening the dough. - Kneading the Dough:
Kneading is crucial for developing gluten, which gives bagels their signature chewy texture. When kneading, aim for about 8-10 minutes of working the dough until it becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky. This process aligns the gluten strands, which helps form the bagels’ dense, chewy texture. - Boiling the Bagels:
Boiling the bagels before baking them is a key step for achieving the classic chewy texture and shiny crust. The bagels should be boiled for about 1-2 minutes on each side. Adding maple syrup or agave syrup to the boiling water helps enhance the flavor of the bagels and contributes to a glossy, golden finish once baked. - Customizing Toppings:
Bagels are highly customizable when it comes to toppings. While sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and everything bagel seasoning are popular choices, you can get creative. Experiment with toppings like dried herbs, minced garlic, cinnamon sugar, or even crushed nuts to create unique and delicious bagels tailored to your tastes.
Conclusion Vegan Bagels
Making vegan bagels at home is a fun and rewarding process. With just a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can create a batch of soft, chewy, and delicious bagels that rival any bakery’s offerings. Customize your bagels with your favorite toppings and enjoy them fresh out of the oven for breakfast or as a snack. The best part is, these bagels are entirely plant-based, so everyone can enjoy them! Happy baking!
