The Almond Flour Bagels That Replaced Our Lazy Mornings

Almond flour bagels are my shortcut to a warm gluten-free breakfast in just 30 minutes. I’ve spent years adapting familiar baked goods with almond flour, and this version uses Greek yogurt to create a tender dough without yeast or rising time. Six bagels from one bowl make busy mornings considerably easier.

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There was an October before kids, when F and I could spend an entire morning doing very little. I remember the particular luxury of waking up beside someone and knowing there was nowhere either of us needed to be. His skin would still be warm from sleep, the room would have that milky smell of morning, and sometimes I would bury my face in his neck just to stay there a little longer.

I think about those mornings now, especially in October, when our kitchen fills up before either of us has properly woken up. There are lunchboxes to pack, children asking for breakfast, and a very different sort of love waiting for us downstairs.

I used to associate the smell of warm milk with childhood, when somebody else was responsible for getting breakfast on the table. Later, it became something I associated with F, with the warmth of another person beside me and those first few minutes before the day began.

I sometimes wonder whether I already knew, somewhere in my body, that our mornings would eventually belong to more people.

Of course, Leo and Lin have made their own arrangements with the morning. One wants breakfast immediately, the other remembers something important just as we’re sitting down, and F and I exchange those familiar looks across the kitchen that say more than we have time to explain.

Three cheesy bagels stacked on a wooden board, topped with seeds and shredded cheese.

I’ve become rather attached to recipes that give us something warm to eat without demanding too much attention. My gluten-free cinnamon raisin bagels are wonderful when I want something sweet and familiar, especially toasted with a little butter. These almond flour bagels have become another option for mornings when I want something savory, with sesame seeds or Parmesan scattered over the tops.

Almond flour is an ingredient I’ve grown particularly fond of as my cooking has adapted to different dietary needs. I use it in my almond flour peanut butter cookies, where it brings out that rich, nutty flavor, and in my almond flour chocolate chip cookies, which have become a familiar comfort when the days get shorter. My almond flour lemon bread is another reminder of how much this one ingredient can do.

For these bagels, almond flour works with Greek yogurt and baking powder to create a slightly sticky dough that can be shaped by hand. There’s no yeast to wait for, and six bagels can be ready in approximately 30 minutes. 

They’re naturally gluten-free when made with gluten-free ingredients, and depending on the yogurt and individual carbohydrate needs, they may also suit some keto meal plans. I don’t follow keto myself, but I appreciate having recipes that make room for the different ways people eat.

Sometimes, while the bagels are baking, I catch F standing in the kitchen with that same sleepy expression I remember from years ago. The children are usually somewhere nearby, making enough noise for all four of us, and I find myself smiling at how much has changed since those October mornings.

I still occasionally bury my face in his neck when I get the chance. Only now, someone inevitably calls for breakfast before I can stay there very long. 

And when we finally sit down together, with warm bagels between us, I think there is something lovely about having become the family we once had yet to imagine.

Ingredients

Ingredients for baking: yogurt, breadcrumbs, an egg, shredded cheese, mixed seeds, salt, and baking powder.

For these almond flour bagels, you’ll need finely ground almond flour, plain Greek yogurt, baking powder, and salt. For the topping, grab an egg for brushing, along with sesame, flax, or chia seeds and a little Parmesan cheese if you like a savory finish.

Almond flour gives these bagels their tender, slightly nutty texture. I prefer finely ground, blanched almond flour because it makes a smoother dough. Almond meal is coarser and may give you a more crumbly result.

Greek yogurt adds moisture and a slight tang while helping the dough hold together. I use thick, plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt for a soft dough that’s easy to shape. Plain yogurt can also work, although the consistency may vary.

See the recipe card for the full list and exact quantities.

Top Tips

A Little Stickiness Is Fine – almond flour dough is naturally softer than regular bread dough, so I avoid adding too much flour. If it’s difficult to handle, chill it for 10 minutes, then add more almond flour one tablespoon at a time if needed. It should hold together without feeling dry.

Keep Those Bagels Tall – I like shaping these into thick, rounded rings since almond flour dough can spread while baking. Keep the center holes wide enough to stay open, and gently smooth any cracks with your fingers.

Give Them Time Before Slicing – this is where I practice a little patience. Almond flour bagels are delicate straight from the oven, so let them cool on a wire rack until firm enough to slice. I love toasting the halves afterward for those lightly crisp edges.

How to Make Gluten-free Almond Flour Bagels Recipe

Two everything bagels topped with cheese on a wooden cutting board.

These almond flour bagels come together in about 30 minutes with a simple Greek yogurt dough. The key is getting the right consistency before shaping and watching for a golden crust as they bake. Here’s what to expect at each step:

Mix the Dry Ingredients

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Stir until everything is evenly distributed, breaking up any clumps of almond flour as you go.
    • The mixture should look fine and loose, with no visible pockets of baking powder.

Add the Greek Yogurt

  • The finished dough should feel soft and moist while holding together when pressed.
    • Scrape the bottom of the bowl to catch any dry almond flour before moving on.

Divide the Dough

  • The dough will feel softer and more delicate than traditional wheat-based bagel dough, so handle each portion gently to keep it from breaking apart.

Shape the Bagels

  • The dough should feel soft and slightly sticky but hold together as you shape it.

Arrange on the Baking Sheet

  • Check that the bottoms sit flat against the parchment so they bake evenly.
    • The bagels should look like thick, rounded rings with clearly defined centers.

Brush With Egg

  • You want a thin, even coating without puddles collecting around the bottoms or inside the holes.
    • The surface should look slightly glossy, which will help it develop a golden color in the oven.

Add the Toppings

  • Distribute the toppings evenly so each bite gets some flavor and texture.
    • Press any loose seeds gently into the surface to help them stay in place as the bagels bake.

Bake Until Golden

  • The bagels may puff up slightly, although they won’t rise as dramatically as traditional yeast bagels.

Cool Before Serving

  • They will feel quite tender while hot and should become easier to handle as they cool.
  • Once they’re firm enough to slice, serve them warm with your favorite spread or enjoy them plain while the tops are still lightly crisp.

Storage

Freshly baked bagels topped with seeds and shredded cheese on a wooden board, with cream cheese on the side.

Store leftover almond flour bagels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Let them cool completely first to prevent condensation from making them soggy. A quick toast will help restore their crispness.

For longer storage, slice the bagels in half, wrap them individually or separate with parchment paper, and freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. I prefer freezing them sliced so they’re ready for busy mornings. To serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator or toast directly from frozen until the edges are crisp and the centers are warm.

FAQs

Are almond flour bagels keto-friendly?

These almond flour bagels may fit into some keto meal plans because almond flour is lower in carbohydrates than wheat flour. However, Greek yogurt also contains carbohydrates, so the exact amount depends on the brand you use. Choose plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt and check the net carbs per bagel against your daily carbohydrate goals.

Can I make almond flour bagels without Greek yogurt?

Thick, plain yogurt may work as a substitute, although regular yogurt contains more moisture and can make the dough wetter. You can strain it first to achieve a consistency closer to Greek yogurt. An unsweetened, thick dairy-free yogurt is another possibility, but this substitution hasn’t been tested in the original recipe.

Can I make these almond flour bagels without eggs?

Yes. The egg is only used to brush the tops, so you can leave it out without changing the dough. For an egg-free finish, brush the bagels with a little milk or unsweetened dairy-free milk instead. They may be less glossy and golden, but the dough will bake the same way.

Can I substitute coconut flour for almond flour?

Coconut flour isn’t a direct substitute for almond flour because it absorbs much more liquid. Using the same quantity would produce a much drier dough and require changes to the yogurt ratio. I recommend sticking with finely ground almond flour for this recipe.

Recipe

Tried and loved this recipe? Please leave a 5-star review below! Your reviews mean a lot to me, so if you’ve got any questions, please let me know in a comment.

Three golden, toasted bagels topped with seeds and shredded cheese on a wooden board.

Almond Flour Bagels

Ksenia Prints

These almond flour bagels are soft, golden, and gluten-free, made with Greek yogurt and ready in just 30 minutes.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Course Bread, Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 6 bagels

Calories 300 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl

  • Mixing spoon or spatula

  • Baking sheet

  • Parchment paper

  • Pastry brush

  • Oven

Ingredients  

  • 1 egg for brushing
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2½ cups almond flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Sesame, flax, or chia seeds for topping
  • Parmesan cheese for topping

Instructions 

Mix the dry ingredients

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir until evenly distributed.

Arrange on the baking sheet

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