Are Bagels Vegan?

A little background

Bagels or beigels are a bread product that originated in Jewish communities in Poland; the first known mention of the now-infamous bread was actually in 1610, where they were thought to be presented to women in childbirth. They have since become popular all over the world, but remain a staple in Poland, America, and England — anyone who knows of the infamous Brick Lane in London can attest to the big queues for a delicious, freshly-baked bagel at virtually any hour of the day. 

Are bagels vegan?

It depends. In its simplest form, bagels are vegan; the ingredients are flour, yeast, water, sweetener (sugar, molasses or another sweetener to activate the yeast) and vegetable shortening. However, sometimes milk, honey and eggs can be added to the dough. As well as the bagel itself, it can also be topped or filled with non-vegan ingredients, such as cream cheese, salmon, cured meats and egg-based sauces.

Can I buy vegan bagels?

Yes, don’t worry, your morning bagels are still good to go! The New York Bakery is one of the best-known bagel brands, and the plain, sesame seed, red onion and chive and their cinnamon and raisin bagels are absolutely vegan. They can be found at all major supermarkets, like Sainsbury’s and Tesco. 

What’s your favourite bagel filling? Let us know in the comments below!