What Is A Flagel, And Do They Taste The Same As Bagels?
Zoodles, carrot fries, pita chips, cauliflower rice, and lettuce wraps — all of these are great alternatives to traditional foods like pasta, French fries, potato chips, white rice, and rolls. They provide options for increasing vegetable intake, lowering carbs, and cutting calories to help make diets healthier, even if they aren't the same flavor and texture as the food they are replacing. The newest trend in alternative food options, however, is something closer to the food it is modeled off: Flagels.
A flagel is a type of flat, round bread that is similar in appearance to a bagel, but it is thinner and flatter. In fact, that's where the name came from — they're like flat bagels. Flagels are typically made with the same ingredients as bagels, so they have a similar flavor, and they are made in the same way up until they are ready for the oven. After bagels are boiled, they are baked to give them extra crispiness. To make a flagel, bagels are boiled like normal, then flattened and placed in the oven to finish the process. Because of their shape, flagels tend to have a slightly different texture and flavor than traditional bagels.
Flagels vs. bagels
Flagels are often described as being lighter and crispier than bagels. They have a thin, crispy crust and a tender interior, with a larger surface area for toasting and adding toppings. They have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and they are usually toasted, which can bring out a nutty flavor. Flagels are typically served with cream cheese, lox, or other toppings, much like a traditional bagel. They can also be made with various flavors, like garlic, onion, or blueberry.
Bagels are denser and chewier than flagels, with a thicker crust and a more substantial interior. They also have a slightly sweet flavor, which comes from the use of syrup or sugar in the dough. They can hold a number of toppings, too, but because they are bulkier and thicker than flagels, larger toppings don't always sit well on them, which can make them harder to eat than flagels.
Are flagels healthier?
Many people opt for flagels as a healthy alternative to bagels, but in terms of nutritional value, flagels and bagels are quite similar. They are made with similar ingredients and cooked the same way. However, because flagels are thinner and flatter than bagels, they tend to be lower in calories and carbohydrates per serving. On average, a flagel contains around 200 calories and 40 grams of carbs, while a traditional bagel has approximately 300 calories and around 60 grams of carbs. If you are watching your calorie or carbohydrate intake, a flagel may be a slightly better option than a regular bagel.
Of course, this all depends on the size of the flagel. If it is wider than a traditional bagel, you aren't actually eating less bagel. You are simply eating a thinner bagel. The exact amounts of calories, carbs, and fat can vary per brand and recipe, as well. The nutritional value can also change with the toppings you use. Cream cheese, butter, peanut butter, and cheese slices can add calories and fat to your flagels.