Gluten Free Bagels

These gluten-free bagels are soft and tender on the inside with the perfect chew. And they are easier to make than you may think. All you need is some time and a little bit of patience. But trust me, it's worth it and these gluten free vegan bagels will be the hit at your next holiday brunch party (especially when it comes to your friends and family members with celiac disease)

This recipe for gluten-free bagels is very similar to my gluten-free pretzel buns recipe. So if you have mastered pretzels, you will definitely master this simple gluten-free bagel recipe.

Recipe Ingredient Notes

Gluten Free Flour: This recipe for Gluten Free Bagels will NOT work with store-bought flour blends such as Cup4Cup or Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1. These blends are not designed to work for yeasted doughs. The flours used in this recipe are also used in my own gluten-free flour blend and should be staples in every gluten-free pantry.

• Super Fine Brown Rice Flour: This is what gives these gluten-free bagels their structure. I recommend using super fine brown rice flour since regular ground brown rice flour will give the buns a gritty texture. I do NOT recommend using white rice flour since it is lower in protein and will cause a gummy texture in the dough.
• Sorghum Flour: Sorghum Flour is high in protein, soft flour with light color. It helps the bagels to get their light texture but also a depth of flavor.
• Potato Starch: Potato Starch (which is NOT the same as potato flour!) lightens the crumb of gluten-free bagels. It is made from the root tubers of potato plants.
• Tapioca Starch/Flour: Tapioca starch/flour gives baked goods a chewy texture, as well as, contributes to the browning.

Whole Psyllium Husks: This ingredient helps to reduce the crumbly structure often found in gluten free baked goods. It also gives the dough a wheat-like texture. I have only tested this recipe with Whole Psyllium Husks which can be found in your local health food store. If Psyllium Husk Powder is all you have on hand, you can use the same amount in this recipe for Gluten Free Bagels. Please be aware the crumb might be a bit denser.

Milk Powder: Milk Powder is an optional ingredient. The casein found in milk powder helps gluten-free bread to rise higher and have a lighter crumb. It also contributes to the color of bread or other baked goods.

Vinegar: The added vinegar activates sodium bicarbonate found in the baking powder which helps the gluten-free bagel to rise. White Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar work in this recipe.

Toppings: Top your gluten-free bagels with Everything but the Bagel Seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, grated asiago cheese, flaky sea salt, cinnamon sugar....

Ingredient Substitution Notes

If you must replace any of the ingredients used in the original recipe for Gluten-Free Bagels, please be aware your results may vary. I do not recommend replacing all the ingredients since you will be creating a whole new recipe.

Gluten-Free Flour Substitutions

• Super Fine Brown Rice Flour – cassava flour
• Sorghum Flour – millet or chickpea flour
• Tapioca Starch – potato starch or corn starch
• Potato Starch – corn starch or tapioca starch

Xanthan Gum: I have not tested this recipe or any of my recipes with Guar Gum. To replace the xanthan gum please use 9 grams of guar gum. Results may vary.

Tools Needed to make Bagels at home

To successfully make this gluten-free bagel recipe, you will need the following equipment

• Digital Kitchen Scale is a must-have to make this recipe (or any of my recipes)
• Stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, hand mixer, or someone willing to knead the dough by hand
• two baking sheets, parchment paper
• A large pot or saucepan big enough to hold 12 cups of water, a slotted spoon or spatula, a pastry brush

How to make Gluten Free Bagel Dough

I highly recommend using a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer to make the dough for gluten-free bagels. Mixing this by hand can be a workout. Plus gluten-free bread dough tends to be very sticky.

Step 1: Lightly dust a parchment-lined baking pan with some tapioca starch and set aside (lightly! just like 10 grams of flour or less)

Step 2: Start by activating the yeast in the warm water. Warm the water in a small bowl in your microwave for 30-60 seconds. The temperature should be around 110F (No hotter than 115F or you will kill your yeast). I recommend using a digital thermometer to check the temperature. Sprinkle the active dry yeast and a pinch of sugar over the warmed water and allow for it to sit for 10-15 minutes. Your yeast will be ready when it looks bubbly and frothy. IF your yeast is not bubbly and frothy after 10 minutes, it should not be used in any recipes.

Step 3: In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment combine the superfine brown rice flour, sorghum flour, tapioca starch, potato starch, brown sugar, baking powder, milk powder (IF USING), kosher salt, psyllium husk, and xanthan gum. Whisk to combine. If you are using some gluten-free sourdough starter discard, you can add it now.

Step 4: When the yeast mixture is ready, add it to the dry ingredients along with the oil and vinegar. Mix the mixture at a low speed to combine. Once the dough starts to come together, increase the speed of your mixer to medium-high and mix for 3-4 minutes. The dough will look soft and not like your typical bread dough (This is normal for Gluten Free bread doughs).

Step 5: With a flexible spatula or your hands, remove the dough from your mixing bowl and place it on the lightly floured sheet pan. The dough for gluten-free bagels may be a bit tacky but this is normal. Allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes before proceeding with shaping the bagels. (If you like, stick it in the fridgefor 10-15 minutes)

Shaping and proofing of Gluten Free Bagels

Make sure to start with a clean work surface and have a little bit of tapioca starch nearby. The little extra flour will be helpful in case the bagel dough is a bit sticky or tacky to work with. Try not to go overboard with the extra flour or your bagels will be tough.

Step 1: Line a baking tray with parchment paper and lightly spray with a nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. If you skip spraying the parchment paper, the bagels will most likely stick to the paper.

Step 2: Using a kitchen scale, divide the dough into 5 equal pieces by weight. Weigh the entire dough and divide it by 5.

Step 3: Shape into tight dough balls and carefully use your thumb to press a hole in the center and widen the hole to around 1". If I feel like the dough is too sticky, I like to lightly oil a finger. The extra oil makes the shaping easier. Carefully transfer the shaped bagels to the prepared baking sheet. Make sure you leave each bagel with enough room to rise.

Step 4: Once all the gluten-free bagels have been shaped allow cover them with a clean tea towel or sprayed plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm place until 50% bigger than their original size. I like to use my oven for this by preheating it for a few minutes until it’s around 100F (check your oven thermometer!!), TURN OFF and place the tray of bagels in the oven. Depending on how warm your kitchen/proofing environment is, this can take anywhere from 60-90 minutes.

Pro Tip: I like to lightly sprinkle the bagels with a little water before allowing them to be proofed. The additional moisture seems to encourage the proofing and keeps the dough from drying out.

Water Bath and Baking

Once the gluten-free bagels are puffy looking and 50% bigger than their original size transfer them to the freezer (the whole sheet tray). Freezing the bagels for 10-20 minutes, while you preheat the oven, prepare the water bath and toppings. This will make them easier to handle and ensure they keep their bagel shape. I like to use Everything but the Bagel Seasoning, Sesame Seeds, or Za'atar Seasoning.

Preheat your oven to 425F and arrange your oven rack in the center of the oven.

For the Water Bath, bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. While the water comes to a boil, line a baking pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray, prepare the oil and your toppings of choice. Spraying the parchment paper with a non-stick spray is highly recommended unless you want your bagels to stick to the parchment paper after being baked.

Once the water is at a boil, carefully add the baking soda and brown sugar. The baking soda will not only give the bagels a nice chewy but it will also help with the browning without using an egg wash. The brown sugar will help with the shine of the crust and some additional flavor. You can also use maple syrup or honey instead.

Remove the bagels from the freezer and with a slotted spoon, carefully add two bagels to the boiling water bath and allow them to boil for 45 seconds on each side. Boiling the bagels longer may cause them to have a wrinkly crust. Remove the bagels from the water bath and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with all of them.

Once all the gluten-free bagels have been boiled, brush them with oil and top them with your toppings of choice.

Bake for 19-21 minutes until dark golden brown. I highly recommend keeping an eye on them after 18 minutes since every oven is different.

Remove the baked gluten-free bagels from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

These gluten-free bagels are best enjoyed the day they have been baked. But if you happen to have any leftovers, store the baked rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They might be extra chewy gluten-free bagels after a day or two.

Storing and Freezing

Gluten Free Bagels and bagels, in general, are the best the day they have been baked. The longer they sit, the chewier they will get. To store these gluten-free bagels, I recommend sticking them in a brown paper bag and storing them at room temperature for up to two days. I recommend toasting them before enjoying them to re-crisp them.

To freeze bagels, make sure they are fully cooled. Wrap each individual bagel in plastic wrap and place it in a ziplock bag or airtight container. For easy thawing, I recommend slicing them before freezing. This way you can pop them in your (gluten-free) toaster to thaw and reheat them. Freeze for up to 6 weeks.

What to serve with Gluten Free Bagels?

Everyone loves a delicious plain bagel with a thick layer of cream cheese. Here are a few, maybe new to you, bagel topping ideas.

• Cream Cheese, Smoked salmon, and dill
• Peanut Butter, slices of banana, and some gluten-free granola
• Bacon, Egg, and Cheddar Cheese
• Nutella, Strawberries and chopped hazelnuts
• Avocado Bagel Sandwich with slices of cucumber, radishes, fresh sprouts and yogurt
• Gluten Free Pizza Bagel - top each bagel half with some marinara sauce, and grated cheese, and bake at 375 until the cheese is bubbly

Gluten Free Sourdough Bagels

Do you happen to have a gluten-free sourdough starter in your fridge and are not sure what to do with it? Add up to 30 grams of cold, straight from the fridge sourdough starter to your gluten free bagel dough (along with the yeast and water) to give them a unique, more flavorful taste. No need to activate the sourdough before using it.

How to make Gluten Free Bagel Chips

Got some gluten free bagels that got a bit stale? Use a sharp knife and slice each bagel in half. Then slice each half into ⅛" strips or as thin as you can. Spread the bagel slices on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Season as desired (I like mine with some garlic powder) and bake at 320F for 10-15 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Make sure to give them a turn around half way through baking. Remove them from the oven and allow for them to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Serve with your favorite dips.

FAQ about Gluten Free Bagel

Can I make this recipe vegan?
Since the milk powder is an optional ingredient, this recipe is already vegan as written.

My dough is very sticky
This dough will be tacky but should be easy to work with. Make sure to let it rest for at least 10 minutes for the psyllium husk to do its magic (refrigeration does help). You may lightly flour your hands and workspace. It’s also important to mention that on a hot and humid day any bread dough can be challenging to work with.

Can I freeze unbaked bagels?
To freeze the unbaked bagels, I recommend freezing them after shaping and before rising. Once ready to bake, remove them from the freezer and allow for them to thaw in the fridge overnight, and proof them as directed in the recipe.

Can I skip the Psyllium Husk?
I do not recommend skipping the Psyllium Husk since it is an important contributor to the structure and crumb of my recipe for gluten-free bagels.

Can I double this recipe?
Yes, you can double this recipe for gluten free bagles.