Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my keto bagel recipe, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Almond Flour Or Coconut Flour – You can use either, but in different amounts. Since coconut flour absorbs more moisture, you need to use less. Keep in mind that many brands of almond flour are too coarse, leaving a grainy texture, which is why I created and recommend using my Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour if you’re making these keto bagels with almond flour. I also use Wholesome Yum Coconut Flour for the coconut flour version, but this is less critical — just a way to support a blogger. 🙂 Shredded Mozzarella Cheese – This is the key to making the bagels chewy and actually forms the bulk of the dough. Make sure to use low-moisture part-skim mozzarella, not soft fresh mozzarella, which is too wet. Other hard shredded cheeses can work, but the texture will change and the flavor will not be as neutral. Some dairy-free mozzarella substitutes are fine, too, but some kinds might not work well. If you want an extra chewy result, you can also add 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum to the dough, but I don’t find it necessary. Cream Cheese – I recommend a full fat variety, but dairy-free or low-fat ones are fine, too. Cut it into small cubes, so that it melts more easily. Eggs – Readers have also told me they had success using flax eggs and other egg substitutes. Baking Powder – I like this brand, and you’ll notice that my keto bagel recipe uses a lot. This is needed to lift the heavy dough, so don’t use less! Also, don’t confuse this ingredient with baking soda, which is different.
How To Make Keto Bagels
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Tips & Troubleshooting
The dough I use for these keto bagels is called fathead dough, a.k.a. the best there is for chewy textures in low carb baking! It does take some practice to get used to it. If you want a full guide, you’ll find it in my Easy Keto Cookbook (which also includes this low carb bagel recipe). But here are the 4 most important things you need to know:
Handling Sticky Dough:
This is the most common issue, and it’s most noticeable if your kitchen is warm or humid, or your hands are very warm. (My photo in the food processor above shows what sticky dough looks like!) Here’s what to do:
Chill the dough. This is my favorite trick! Popping the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes will help a lot. The freezer for 10 minutes also works if you’re in a rush. Cover your hands in oil. Wash your hands first if they are already sticky, then add a little oil (I like neutral avocado oil) and you can work with the fathead dough much more easily. Make sure the dough is completely uniform. You shouldn’t have streaks or pieces of cheese separate from areas of flour — not only does this make the dough sticky, but it also totally ruins the texture of the bagels if you don’t fix it. If the cheese starts to solidify before the dough forms, microwave it for about 30 seconds to soften it again, so that it mixes better. (Be careful not to overheat to avoid cooking the egg.) Once it’s warmer, process again until uniform. The dough will seem sticky again when it’s warm, so just use my 2 tips above afterward.
Bagels Not Cooking Through:
If you find that the bagels brown on top but remain raw inside, here are some reasons this may happen and how to avoid it:
Tent the top with foil. If the top browns but they still don’t feel firm, just cover with foil and continue baking. They won’t feel totally firm until they cool, but you can remove them from the oven when they no longer feel “doughy”. Which brings me to my next tip… Cool before slicing. Keto bagels will seem raw if you cut (or bite) into them immediately, so letting them cool is important! The bagels actually continue to “cook” a bit from the residual heat after you remove them from the oven, and the texture also changes, so wait at least 15 minutes. (You can still reheat or toast them afterward if you want them warm — I usually do!)
Bagels Coming Out Flat:
Not rising properly is the hardest issue to troubleshoot, but usually not a deal breaker. Your low carb bagels will still taste pretty amazing even if they are flat! But, here is what you can do:
Use a food processor. I used to knead the dough for these keto bagels by hand, but my food processor (with a dough blade or S knife blade) has been a game changer! It’s way less work and introduces more air bubbles, so the bagels end up taller and puffier. A stand mixer will also work. Use fresh baking powder. It loses effectiveness over time. It depends on your flour. I find that the coconut flour version is slightly more prone to spreading than the almond flour one. Form the rings tall to start. I recommend making the dough shapes tall and skinny to account for some spreading.
Choosing Which Flour To Use:
If you’re not sure which to use, the main difference I notice between the 2 flours is the texture. You can decide based on my comparison:
Almond flour bagels tend to be taller, denser, and more chewy. They also hold together better and are less likely to crumble. I prefer my keto bagels made with this flour! Coconut flour bagels are lighter and fluffier. They have a slightly sweet flavor that goes well with sweet spreads. However, they can be a bit more fragile.
Variations & Toppings
I usually just make these keto bagels plain or with sesame seeds, as they are more versatile that way. But you can also change it up! Try different add-ins, like fresh blueberries, sugar-free dried cranberries, nuts, caramelized onions, minced garlic, cinnamon with a few tablespoons of sweetener, or just top with everything bagel seasoning (my favorite savory flavor) or poppy seeds. Keep in mind that adding sweetener does make the dough more sticky, so you’ll definitely need to chill it if you add any. (See my tips above for details.)
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Freeze: I always just meal prep a double (or triple) batch of these keto bagels at once and freeze them — they last 6 months in the freezer! Let them cool first, then freeze in zip lock bags with parchment paper between them to prevent sticking together. Reheat: Use the toaster for the fastest, easiest method. I use the bagel setting on mine, along with the frozen setting if they’re right out of the freezer. You can also microwave them, but they come out very soft. (My daughter prefers this way.)
Serving Suggestions
Need ideas? Here are some of my favorite spreads and sandwiches to go with these low carb bagels:
Spreads – Cream cheese is the obvious choice, but you can also use butter, peanut butter, or even my sugar free Nutella or sugar free jelly. My personal fave is a layer of mascarpone topped with my sugar free strawberry jam! Bagel & Lox – One of my go-to lunches is a keto bagel with a smear of cream cheese, smoked salmon (or my lox recipe), and cucumbers, red onions, or capers. So good! Breakfast Sandwich – Stuff eggs, sausage or bacon, and cheese between your bagel slices, and heat. You can also replace the pancake layers in my keto breakfast sandwich with layers of these bagels. Lunch Sandwich – Try my keto chicken salad, tuna egg salad, or even a keto BLT. Or keep it simple with some sliced turkey, lettuce, and homemade mayo.
More Keto Breakfast Recipes
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, so I have lots of low carb breakfast recipes! Try some of these — they feel like they’re full of carbs, but they’re not:
My Tools For This Recipe
Baking Sheet – My favorite that you might notice in many of my recipe photos. Their non-stick surface lasts and lasts! Food Processor – For taller, fluffier keto bagels! Mine will even fit a double batch of the dough.
Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. (Alternatively, you can knead with your hands if not using a food processor. The dough will be very sticky, but keep kneading and squeezing through your fingers for a few minutes. If the dough becomes hard before fully mixed, is too difficult to mix, or is still sticky after a couple minutes, you can microwave/reheat for 15-20 seconds to soften it. In that case, wash your hands and knead again.) No matter what method you use, it’s very important for the dough to be completely uniform before proceeding to the next step. You shouldn’t have pieces of cheese separate from areas of flour. (See tips in the post above if you have trouble with sticky dough.) 📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Easy Keto Cookbook here.
