Old-Fashioned Montreal-Style Bagels [Vegan]

An homage to the famed Montreal bagel, and not unlike the traditional New York variety, these cruelty-free bagels are boiled before they are baked. The boiling step is what makes these bagels truly authentic: locking in the moisture, adding the beloved chewiness, and enhancing the flavor by allowing the yeast to develop more complexity over the full length of cooking (as compared to the faster turnaround of just baking). Without that crucial boiling step, these bagels would simply be bread. Luckily for our waistlines, these bagels are smaller than their gargantuan grocery store counterparts – because you won't want to stop at just one! With a delightfully chewy interior and a characteristic hint of sweetness, they're a little irresistible. They can be dressed up or down with great success: heavenly simply toasted with a pat of non-dairy butter or hummus – resplendent as the foundation for a delicious sandwich. Or enjoy them fresh, all by themselves. Whichever way they are enjoyed, these bagels are much loved in my household – and their popularity grows exponentially with each fragrant batch shared.