Identifying whether a product is vegan can often be quite a challenge, sometimes more than others.
This difficulty arises because manufacturers often hide the nature and source of their ingredients. And when a type of product has dozens of varieties and brands, you’ve really gotta do your research.
But fear not, dear reader! This article is here to unveil the truth and guide you through the labyrinth of ingredients, supporting your commitment to a vegan lifestyle.
Are Everything Bagels Vegan?
We’re going to make it really easy for you: It depends. Oh, wait? That’s not easy? Oops! Honestly, it really depends on the brand. Some everything bagels are vegan, some aren’t. A few ingredients you might see are honey, enzymes, and sugar.
Your best bet is to go with organic bagels, because those will contain sugar not processed with bone char, and they’ll have limited “weird” ingredients you can’t pronounce or identify.
If you love everything bagels, read the ingredients and choose organic when possible. And if you don’t want to do the research, scroll to below, where we list some of the vegan everything bagels out there. Spoiler alert! Panera Bread Everything Bagels are vegan!
Are Everything Bagels Cruelty-Free?
Probably! Obviously it depends on the brand, but most ingredients in an everything bagel don’t need to be tested on animals to determine their safety for humans. You’re probably safe to eat everything bagels if a cruelty-free lifestyle is important to you.
What Are Everything Bagels Made Of?
Everything bagels, like most bagels, are a delightful combination of flour, water, yeast, and salt, topped with a distinct mix of seeds and spices. Here’s a general breakdown, though certain brands may have more or fewer ingredients than this:
- Flour
- Water
- Yeast
- Salt
- Sugar
- Sesame seeds
- Poppy seeds
- Dried garlic
- Dried onion
- Vinegar
Non-vegan ingredients you might find in some everything bagels:
- L-cysteine
- Honey
Flour
Flour is the base ingredient in all bagel recipes, including everything bagels. It’s a vegan ingredient derived from grinding cereal grains or other starchy food sources.
Water
Water is a fundamental vegan ingredient, used to combine the dry components in the bagel dough.
Yeast
Yeast, a single-celled organism, is vital for making the dough rise. It’s entirely plant based, making it a common component in vegan recipes.
Salt
Salt adds flavor and is also vegan friendly.
Sugar
Sugar is vegan as long as it’s not processed with bone char. Look for “organic,” “unrefined,” or “raw” sugar.
Sesame Seeds, Poppy Seeds, Dried Garlic, Dried Onion
These are the signature toppings that make everything bagels unique. They’re all plant-derived and totally vegan.
Vinegar
Vinegar is fermented acetic acid and water. It’s vegan.
L-cysteine
L-cysteine is a dough conditioner often sourced from duck feathers. This makes it a non-vegan ingredient. If you find a brand of everything bagels and it has this ingredient, it’s not vegan.
Honey
Any everything bagel that contains honey is not vegan. Honey is made by bees and it’s absolutely not vegan.
Which Everything Bagel Brands Are Vegan?
There are plenty of vegan everything bagels out there. If you want a vegan bagel, you’ve just gotta know where to look. Here are a few:
- Dave’s Killer Bread Epic Everything Bagels
- Little Northern Bakehouse Gluten-Free Everything Bagels
- Silver Hills Bakery Everything Bagels
- Panera Bread Everything Bagels
Vegan bagels galore! Slap some vegan cream cheese on these babies and you’re good to go with your morning bagel.
If that’s not an option for you, make homemade bagels! It’s not that hard to make vegan-friendly bagels at home. Good luck!
Conclusion
While it’s unfortunate that many commercially available everything bagels aren’t vegan, you’re not without options. Vegans don’t need to abandon this breakfast favorite.
With a range of vegan-friendly bagel brands available and an abundance of vegan bagel recipes online, you can enjoy a delicious bagel breakfast that aligns with your vegan lifestyle.
Remember, the vegan-friendly world is vast and full of food options. Stay committed to your ethical choices, and remember, every small step counts towards the well-being of our planet and all its inhabitants.