Okay, so I've been doing a bit of research on whether or not bagels contain milk.
As an avid baker, you can imagine that I come across a lot of recipes with milk in them, and I find it super tricky to bake without milk!
This is where I started to question whether milk was actually an ingredient in bagels.
Bagels don’t usually contain milk, but some manufacturers put milk in them, so it’s important to check the ingredients list before eating a bagel.
On the whole, bagels are just flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and water. That makes them an excellent snack for people who don’t eat milk.
In this article, we’ll explore whether bagels have milk in them, what dairy they might contain, and more!
Do Bagels Contain Milk?
Most bagels do not contain milk, but some do.
Some manufacturers replace some or all of the water in the bagel with milk to create a creamier, fluffier dough.
You should always check the ingredients list to make sure that no milk has been used.
If any milk has been added, this should be stated on the list.
Do Bagels Contain Dairy?
Bagels are generally unlikely to contain dairy.
They are mainly composed of flour, water, and yeast, so it’s unlikely that you’ll see dairy on the list for most plain bagels.
However, if you buy flavored bagels, you may need to be more careful.
In some cases, bagels will contain butter in the ingredients, and you might occasionally see cheese if you buy one of the more unusual bagels.
However, if you just buy standard bagels with no flavorings, you are very unlikely to see any form of dairy in them.
It’s still a good idea to run through the ingredients list to check because, occasionally, a manufacturer will include dairy in the ingredients.
You could also check for a “Vegan” stamp on the packaging to see if the bagels are dairy-free, but many bagels won’t carry this even if they are suitable for vegans.
Do Bagel Toppings Contain Dairy?
If you aren’t making bagels at home but eating them at a restaurant, you should be a little more careful because many traditional toppings contain dairy.
For example, be cautious of bagels with chocolate chips, Parmesan, or cinnamon sugar because all of these may contain milk or other dairy products.
However, plenty of toppings aren’t dairy-based, including:
- Hummus
- Mashed avocado or guacamole
- Banana
- Honey
- Peanut butter
- Jelly and jam
Can You Make Bagels With Plant-Based Milk?
If you want bagels with milk because you prefer the flavor, you might want to try plant-based milk, and there are plenty of options.
Both coconut milk and soy milk will give you a rich, flavorful dough that you can turn into delicious bagels that are free from dairy.
If you need some inspiration, here's a recipe from NikkiVegan for vegan, oil-free bagels!
Conclusion
Most bagels are suitable for people who want to avoid milk and dairy, because they are usually just made with flour and water.
However, some bagels contain milk, so it’s always a good idea to check the ingredients before purchasing and eating bagels – just in case.
