Just when I needed a recipe that isolates yogurt as a baking ingredient, a dear friend drew my attention to 2-ingredient bagels.
This accessible recipe from Weight Watchers became the foundation of a bake test I conducted to find the best unsweetened plain vegan yogurts. Following a variation from The Big Man’s World, I tested and retested this formula – making a minimum of 50 bagels – to bring you a dough with the greatest workability and flavor.
Workability and Flavor
Speaking of which, to ensure a slightly sticky but easy-to-knead dough, source or make vegan Greek yogurt. My favorite product for this application is Kite Hill Greek Style Yogurt. If you can’t find it, however, simply strain your preferred non-dairy regular yogurt before proceeding. Otherwise, be prepared to need more bread flour!
I advise adding baking powder and salt to bread flour because, to me, anything made with regular self-rising flour tastes like biscuits. You may stick to the original 2-ingredient recipe, but then may I suggest having some (vegan) sausage gravy on hand?
“Lazy” Bagels
Description
If you can't find Kite Hill Greek Style Yogurt, start by straining your favorite regular yogurt alternative.
makes 4 bagels
Ingredients
Instructions
Prepare
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If using vegan regular yogurt, strain to remove liquid and create Greek yogurt.
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Bring Greek yogurt and aquafaba or soy milk to room temperature.
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Prepare a space for kneading and shaping (steps 7-9), then line a baking tray with silicone or parchment.
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Lastly, preheat oven to 350°F/180°C.
Mixing
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Into a large bowl, sift and whisk together 1 3/4 cups (420 mL/210 g) bread flour with all the baking powder and salt.
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Add Greek yogurt. Use a large spoon to stir into a uniformly shaggy mixture.
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Bring mixture together with hands, then transfer to prepared surface (from step 3).
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Knead 3-5 minutes. If necessary, add 1-2 Tbsp (15-30 mL/7.5-15 g) bread flour at a time to prevent excess sticking.
Mild stickiness is expected, and should abate around the 4-minute mark. Incorporate extra flour only if your dough is unworkable.
Shaping & Baking
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Divide dough into 4 equal portions. Roll each into a 10-in (25-cm) long log, then pinch ends of each log together to make a circle. Move onto prepared tray.
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Brush each bagel with 1 tsp (5 mL) aquafaba or soy milk, then sprinkle each with 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) toppings if desired.
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Bake 20-22 minutes. Allow to cool on tray 10 minutes, then switch to a wire rack to cool completely.
Note
Enjoy with vegan cream cheese!
Learn why I recommend Kite Hill Greek Style Yogurt, and peruse my other yogurt-related posts.
