5 Best Cornstarch Substitutes for Bagels

Quick tip: Potato starch closely mimics cornstarch's thickening ability and does not affect flavor, preserving bagel texture.

Potato starch is a fine, neutral-tasting starch that gelatinizes at a similar temperature to cornstarch, providing excellent binding and moisture retention in dough. This helps maintain the dense, chewy crumb typical of bagels without making them gummy or overly soft.

When using potato starch, ensure it is well incorporated into the dough to avoid clumping. Because it absorbs moisture efficiently, monitor dough hydration to prevent dryness.

Compared to cornstarch, potato starch yields a very similar final texture and chewiness in bagels, making it the most reliable substitute without compromising traditional qualities.

Quick tip: Rice flour adds slight graininess but provides decent binding and thickening in bagel dough.

Rice flour is a fine powder that can absorb moisture and add structure to dough, though it lacks the same gelatinization properties as cornstarch. It can help maintain dough integrity but may slightly alter the crumb texture, making it a bit more crumbly or coarse.

To use rice flour effectively, sift it well and mix thoroughly to prevent uneven texture. It may require slight hydration adjustments.

The final bagel will be somewhat less chewy and slightly more crumbly than with cornstarch, but still acceptable for most recipes.

Quick tip: Wheat starch provides good binding but introduces gluten, which can affect chewiness and density.

Wheat starch is a refined starch extracted from wheat, containing some gluten proteins that can strengthen dough elasticity. This can enhance chewiness but may also make the bagel denser and less tender if not balanced properly.

Use wheat starch cautiously, especially if you want to avoid gluten or maintain a lighter crumb. It works best in recipes that already contain strong gluten networks.

Compared to cornstarch, wheat starch can increase chewiness but risks making the bagel tougher and less airy.

Quick tip: Arrowroot can cause a softer, more gelatinous crumb, which may reduce the characteristic chewiness of bagels.

Arrowroot powder gelatinizes at a lower temperature and forms a clear, gel-like consistency that retains moisture well. While this is excellent for some baked goods, in bagels it can create a gummy texture that detracts from the desired dense chew.

If used, mix arrowroot thoroughly and avoid overhydrating the dough. It is best combined with other flours to balance texture.

The final product will be softer and less chewy than with cornstarch, which may not satisfy traditional bagel texture expectations.

Quick tip: Tapioca starch can make bagels more elastic and slightly sweet, which may alter traditional flavor and texture.

Tapioca starch is known for its elasticity and chewiness, often used to improve texture in gluten-free baking. However, in bagels, this can lead to an overly stretchy dough and a less firm crumb, differing from the classic dense chew.

Use tapioca starch sparingly and monitor dough consistency closely to avoid excessive stickiness.

Compared to cornstarch, tapioca starch produces a softer, more elastic bagel with a subtle sweetness, which may not be desirable in traditional recipes.