FAQs
a regular bagel is a strange step in the cooking process. Traditional New York style bagels are submerged in boiling water for a couple of minutes before they're baked. Sometimes called "water bagels," boiling the dough sets the outside to give them a crispy exterior and chewy texture.
What makes bagels unique? ›
a regular bagel is a strange step in the cooking process. Traditional New York style bagels are submerged in boiling water for a couple of minutes before they're baked. Sometimes called "water bagels," boiling the dough sets the outside to give them a crispy exterior and chewy texture.
Who came up with the bagel? ›
Bagels have been widely associated with Ashkenazi Jews since the 17th century; they were first mentioned in Jewish community ordinances in Kraków, Poland in 1610. Bagels are now a popular bread product in North America and Poland, especially in cities with a large Jewish population.
What kind of bread is a bagel? ›
A bagel is a type of bread that is shaped into an “O” with a hole in the middle. Bagels are made of flour, yeast, water, salt, and barley malt syrup. This thick and fluffy bread is cooked twice: first boiled, then baked.
Are bagels healthy or no? ›
Bagels can be healthy if made with whole grains, contain minimal fat and sugar, and are an appropriate portion size for your health goals. For a healthier choice, look for whole wheat, whole grain, or rye bagels. While bagels with cream cheese are delicious, traditional cream cheese is not necessarily healthy.
Why do bagels have a hole? ›
Surprisingly, the hole in the center of a bagel is actually for flavor and texture! Because bagel dough can be thick, the hole allows the dough to cook more evenly all the way through. this helps keep the bagel chewy all the way through without overcooking the outside.
What makes bagels shiny? ›
To get an extra-shiny crust, brush bagels with egg wash just before baking, and/or add sugar to the boiling water. 2. Boiling is important to form the shape of the bagel, preventing it from rising too high and closing the hole in the center, but you don't need to boil for very long—about 60 seconds should be enough.
What is special about bagel bread? ›
bagel, doughnut-shaped yeast-leavened roll that is characterized by a crisp, shiny crust and a dense interior. Long regarded as a Jewish specialty item, the bagel is commonly eaten as a breakfast food or snack, often with toppings such as cream cheese and lox (smoked salmon).
What is a bagel without a hole called? ›
Bialys (without holes) and bagels (with) A chewy yeast roll bearing similarity to the bagel, the bialy has a diameter of up to 15 centimetres (6 in). Unlike a bagel, which is boiled before baking, a bialy is simply baked, and instead of a hole in the middle it has a depression.
Which culture invented bagels? ›
Researchers believe the bagel was actually created from pretzel dough sometime around the 1200s. As Germans migrated to Poland, they brought pretzels with them. The Jewish Poles quickly adopted this new bread, put a hole in the middle and dubbed it obwarzanek.
Did you know that there are over 20 different types of bagels? From the classic poppy seed or cinnamon raisin bagel to the more adventurous bagel flavors like French toast or cheddar, discover your quintessential breakfast or brunch favorites.
What is a baked bagel called? ›
SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS BIALY BAGEL, EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BAGEL'S LESSER-KNOWN COUSIN. Kossar's Bagels & Bialys. Bialys are a breakfast bread winner.
Is bagel healthier or bread? ›
Unfortunately there's no simple answer to this question. In terms of calories, on average one bagel has more calories than one slice of bread. However, if you choose to have a bagel with more fibre, this may help you feel fuller for longer and potentially reduce your snacking throughout the day.
Why are bagels special? ›
Bagels are boiled in water before they are baked, which gives them a chewiness that distinguishes them from ordinary bread.
What is so great about bagels? ›
The contrast of a crackling crust and a satisfyingly chewy center is what makes bagels so damn good. Furthermore, their versatility allows them to be paired with an endless array of toppings and spreads, from cream cheese and lox to peanut butter and jelly, and inifinite others.
How many bagels are there? ›
Did you know that there are over 20 different types of bagels? From the classic poppy seed or cinnamon raisin bagel to the more adventurous bagel flavors like French toast or cheddar, discover your quintessential breakfast or brunch favorites.