5 Best Baking Powder Substitutes for Bagels

Quick tip: This combination closely mimics baking powder’s leavening, maintaining bagel texture and rise without altering flavor significantly.

Baking powder is essentially a mix of baking soda (a base) and an acid, often cream of tartar, which react to produce carbon dioxide gas that leavens dough. By combining baking soda with cream of tartar, you recreate this acid-base reaction, enabling the bagel dough to rise properly during baking.

To ensure success, mix the baking soda and cream of tartar thoroughly before adding to the dough to achieve even leavening. Avoid adding extra acidic ingredients as this can cause excessive bubbling and off textures.

Compared to commercial baking powder, this substitute offers nearly identical leavening power and results in bagels with the expected chewiness and slight puff without a metallic or bitter aftertaste.

Quick tip: Adds slight tanginess and moisture, which can enhance bagel flavor but may slightly soften the crust.

Buttermilk is acidic and reacts with baking soda to produce carbon dioxide gas, providing leavening similar to baking powder. The acidity also tenderizes the dough slightly, which can complement the dense texture of bagels.

When using this substitute, reduce other liquid ingredients to compensate for the added buttermilk to maintain dough consistency. Monitor dough hydration carefully to avoid overly soft dough that can affect bagel shaping.

The final bagels may have a subtle tang and a slightly softer crust compared to those made with baking powder, but the chew and rise remain acceptable.

Quick tip: Yogurt provides acidity and moisture but can impart a mild dairy flavor and slightly softer crumb.

Similar to buttermilk, yogurt’s acidity activates baking soda to produce leavening gas. The moisture content also helps hydrate the dough, which can be beneficial in bagel recipes.

Adjust liquid amounts downward to maintain dough firmness typical of bagels. Use plain, unsweetened yogurt to avoid unwanted flavors.

Bagels made with this substitute may have a slightly tangier taste and softer texture, which can deviate from the traditional dense and chewy bagel but remain palatable.

Quick tip: Good for low-sodium diets, with similar leavening but may have a slightly different aftertaste.

Potassium bicarbonate functions similarly to baking soda but contains potassium instead of sodium, making it suitable for sodium-restricted diets. When combined with cream of tartar, it produces carbon dioxide gas for leavening.

Mix thoroughly and use in the same manner as baking soda and cream of tartar. Watch for subtle flavor differences, as potassium bicarbonate can impart a mild bitter note if overused.

The bagels will rise and have a texture close to those made with baking powder, though the flavor may be slightly altered.

Quick tip: Adds lift and lightness but can change bagel texture and increase protein content.

Whipped egg whites incorporate air into the dough, providing mechanical leavening rather than chemical. This can help lighten the dense bagel dough somewhat.

Careful folding is required to maintain air bubbles. This method does not produce carbon dioxide and thus leavening is less consistent and less durable during boiling and baking.

Bagels made with this substitute may be lighter but less chewy and dense than traditional bagels, altering the classic texture significantly.