I haven't made bagels in over 4 years after we closed our bakery in 2019 so as I make these it brings back so many fond memories. We use to make by hands over 500 bagels a week, maybe more at times. We served customers nationwide and 3 stores in California, those were the days. These are the best easy vegan bagels to make and taste delicious. You can alter this recipe and make Everything Bagels, Sesame, Cheese or keep them Original. Details to the variations are below.
Ingredients
3½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup warm water
2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave syrup
1-1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional toppings: sesame seeds, poppy seeds, minced onion, minced garlic, etc.
Cornmeal or semolina flour (for dusting)
Instructions
In a small bowl, combine the warm water and maple syrup. Sprinkle the yeast over the surface and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the activated yeast mixture.
Stir until a dough forms. If the dough is too dry, add a little more water, one tablespoon at a time. If it's too sticky, add a little more flour.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours until doubled in size.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide it into 8 equal portions.
Roll each portion into a ball, then use your thumb to poke a hole through the center. Stretch and shape the dough into a ring, ensuring the hole in the center is at least 1-2 inches wide. Try not to press to hard on the dough as it will cause the air to come out of the dough and make flat bagels.
Place the shaped bagels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, lightly greased, and dusted with cornmeal or semolina flour.
Cover the bagels with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for another 20-30 minutes
While the bagels are rising, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer.
Carefully lower the bagels into the simmering water, a few at a time, using a slotted spoon or spatula. Boil for about 1-2 minutes on each side.
Remove the boiled bagels from the water and place them back on the baking sheet.
Sprinkle your desired toppings over the bagels, gently pressing them into the surface.
Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake the bagels for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Everything Bagel add to the flour 1 tsp each garlic and onion powder before mixing in the yeast water. Continue to follow the instructions above, then before baking top with everything bagel seasoning.
Sesame Bagels add 1 tsp toasted sesame oil to the batter after you add the yeast water. Continue to follow the instructions above, then before baking top with sesame seeds.
Cheese Bagels add vegan parmesan cheese in the flour and continue to follow the instructions, then before you bake top with additional cheese of choice.
Poppy Seed Bagels follow the bagel instructions above then top the bagels generously with poppy seeds before baking.
Comments