Easy Gluten-Free Bagels! Made with almond flour, white and brown rice flours, and arrowroot starch. The best gluten-free bagels can be yours. Vegan.
For far too long gluten-free bagels have felt unattainable. There are certain types of recipes I put off because the thought of not being able to get them right seems daunting.
But in the end, letting the fear of failure win out is never the way to go. And so, the gluten-free bagel challenge was on.
Gluten-Free Bagel Ingredients
Using a blend of white rice flour, brown rice flour, almond flour, and arrowroot starch, plus psyllium husk powder acting as the "gluten", the ingredient list is actually fairly short. Here's what you'll need:
- white rice flour
- brown rice flour
- almond flour
- arrowroot starch
- psyllium husk powder
- olive oil
- organic cane sugar
If you read "psyllium husk powder" and were like, what? Don't worry. It's actually very much your friend when it comes to gluten-free baking and a bag of it lasts for quite a long time. I like using psyllium husk powder in place of xantham gum. Xantham gum is sometimes called for in gluten-free recipes and is often in pre-made gluten-free flour mixes.
Xantham gum and other gums can cause stomach distress for many. Psyllium husk powder is a natural fiber source and is a better alternative in some cases than ground flax seeds or chia seeds. I think it works especially well in breads.
My biggest piece of advice for this gluten-free vegan bagel recipe is to prep all your ingredients, pot, pan, and utensils before you get started. This makes the bagel-making process much smoother.
As with fresh bagels from your local bakery or bagel store, these bagels are best the day they are made. Even better still warm right out of the oven.
If you do have leftover bagels, wrap them individually and store at room temperature for up to two days. You can also wrap them indvidually and store in an airtight container in the freezer. I'd recommend toasting your leftover bagels for the most enjoyment!
More Bread Recipes
Gluten-Free Cranberry Orange Bread
Gluten-Free Tahini Banana Bread
Gluten-Free Bagels Recipe (Vegan)
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon organic cane sugar
- 2 ½ teaspoons yeast (1 packet)
- 1 ¼ cups (168g) brown rice flour
- 1 cup (170g) white rice flour
- ½ cup (60g) arrowroot starch
- ⅓ cup (32g) almond flour
- 1 tablespoon psyllium husk powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons organic cane sugar, for water or honey if not vegan
- olive oil, for brushing
- sea salt or everything bagel seasoning, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Take another sheet of parchment paper and cut into 6 squares (as pictured above) and place in rows on baking sheet. Set aside.
- Warm your almond milk to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. I use a large glass measuring cup and heat for two to three 30 second intervals in the microwave. Almond milk should feel warm to touch, but not hot.
- Add 1 tablespoon cane sugar and yeast to almond milk. Stir to combine and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine brown, white, arrowroot starch, and almond flours, psyllium husk powder, and salt. Whisk to evenly combine.
- Add olive oil to your almond milk mixture, stir to combine. Slowly add liquid to your flour mixture, stirring until dough forms and all dry pieces have been incorporated.
- Spray a ½ measuring cup with cooking spray and scoop out the dough. Roll into a ball with your hands then place on a parchment square on baking sheet. Poke a hole in the center of the dough ball with your finger. Repeat until all six bagel dough balls are formed and placed on baking sheet.
- Place baking sheet on top of oven and cover lightly with an additional sheet of parchment, followed by a tea towel. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow bagels to rise on top of oven or in a warm space in the kitchen for 30-40 minutes.
- Bring a large pot or Dutch oven of water to a rapid boil. Add remaining 1 ½ tablespoons of cane sugar to water. Gently drop 1 to 2 bagels (2 max) into the boiling water. Allow to boil for 30 seconds, then flip bagel and allow to boil for 30 more seconds. Use a large slotted spoon to remove and transfer to baking sheet. Remove parchment square if it hasn't already come off. Continue until each bagel has been boiled.
- Using a pastry brush, lightly brush bagels with olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt or everything bagel seasoning. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, bagels should be golden brown.
- Place baking sheet on a wire rack to cool. Eat bagels warm if desired. Toast if desired. Bagels are best the day they are made. To store, wrap individually in plastic wrap and keep up to two days.
Melody
I'm amazed to see this. It's hard for me to believe it would be a real bagel, but it sure looks right! Definitely will try it - thanks for posting. I miss bagels!
One thing - calling them "American" cuisine struck me as odd. They began in Europe, and are emblematic of Jewish cuisine.
Astrid Zaldivar
hi, cant wait to try this recipe, i just dont have arrowroot powder, its quite expensive to find in mexico, any chance i can sub with tapioco or potato?
i would really want to try this
Tessa
Hi! I think the best substitute would be cornstarch if that is available. Otherwise, I would say that tapioca starch would be the next best thing. It may make the texture a bit chewier, but won't affect the flavor.
Lauren
These were fabulous! My son was just diagnosed with all sorts of food allergies and these were a total hit! I made them as is and they did not fall apart while boiling and I froze some that toasted up beautifully. Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
Tessa
Thank you so much, Lauren! I am so happy to hear that!
Amiee
Can you double the brown rice if you do not have white rice flour?
Thanks!
Tessa
Hi Amiee - I haven't tried it but that should work just fine. It may slightly change the texture, but it should be akin to subbing whole wheat flour for all-purpose.
Ellie
I substituted coconut flour for the white rice flour. The crust is good but the inside came out a little soft still after 20 minutes of baking. They held up nicely in the boil! Thanks for sharing this recipe
Tessa
Thank you, Ellie!
Christine
Is there anything I can sub for almond milk or almond flour?
We have but allergies!
Tessa
Hi Christine! I'm sorry to have missed this question. You can sub the almond milk with coconut, soy, or rice milk. I haven't tried it, but I think subbing in gf oat flour for the almond flour should work well.
Chuck
Out of curiosity, is there a reason to use cane sugar in the boil instead of baking soda (or for the more adventurous, lye)? I'm guessing it's to impart a hint of sweetness and promote a browner crust, but I was curious if you'd tried this recipe with baking soda in the boil.
Tessa
Hi Chuck - you are correct about the cane sugar. I've never tried baking soda in the boil but would be very interested in trying that!
Nee
This is my second time attempting a bagel recipe (one that is gf and vegan). Everything seems great until I put the bagel into the water and it falls apart.
Any suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated.
Joanna
I have tried this recipe twice now and both times my bagels have also disintegrated in the water. Is there any advice you can give on why this might be happening?
Tessa
Hi there - I am not sure why that is happening, but my best guess is that it has to do with the psyllium husk powder. I assume that you are using the powder form and not the whole husks. Psyllium husk powder and whole psyllium husks are not interchangeable when it comes to baking measurements. Since the psyllium husk powder is what binds the bagels together, I am also wondering if it is possible for it to expire as it relates to binding properties. You could trying increasing the amount of psyllium husk powder to 2 tablespoons. I hope that helps!