Zucchini noodles, baked carrot sticks, crispy pita slices, riced cauliflower, and lettuce cups — these clever swaps offer healthier takes on classic foods like pasta, fries, chips, white rice, and bread. While they might not perfectly mimic the originals, they help boost veggie intake, lower carbs, and trim calories for a more nutritious diet. Now, there’s a new alternative food trend that’s closer to its inspiration: Flagels.
A flagel is a round, flat bread that looks like a thinner, flatter bagel. In fact, that’s where the name comes from — they’re flat bagels. Flagels use the same ingredients as bagels, so they taste similar, and they’re made the same way until baking time. After boiling bagels, bakers normally pop them in the oven for crispiness. For flagels, they flatten the boiled dough before baking. This shape change gives flagels a slightly different texture and taste compared to regular bagels.
Flagels vs. bagels
People often say flagels are lighter and crispier than bagels. They have a thin, crunchy outside and a soft inside, with more space for toasting and adding toppings. They have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and are usually toasted, which can bring out a nutty taste. Like regular bagels, people often eat flagels with cream cheese, smoked salmon, or other toppings. You can also find them in different flavors, such as garlic, onion, or blueberry.
Bagels are denser and chewier than flagels, with a thicker crust and more substantial inside. They also have a hint of sweetness from syrup or sugar in the dough. While bagels can hold many toppings, their bulky shape can make it tricky to add larger toppings, which can make them harder to eat than flagels.
Are flagels a healthier choice?
Flagels are often chosen as a healthier bagel alternative, but nutritionally, they’re quite similar. Both use the same ingredients and cooking methods. The main difference is that flagels, being thinner and flatter, typically have fewer calories and carbs per serving. On average, a flagel has about 200 calories and 40 grams of carbs, while a standard bagel contains roughly 300 calories and 60 grams of carbs. So, if you’re monitoring your calorie or carb intake, a flagel might be a slightly better choice than a regular bagel.
However, it’s important to consider the flagel’s size. If it’s wider than a traditional bagel, you’re not actually eating less, just a thinner version. Nutritional content can vary by brand and recipe, and exact amounts of calories, carbs, and fat may differ. Also, toppings play a role in the overall nutritional value. Adding cream cheese, butter, peanut butter, or cheese slices can increase the calorie and fat content of your flagel.
