Does my "bagel flour" need malt powder added?

Does my "bagel flour" need malt powder added? - Person Adding Flour into a Bowl

I purchased some "super bagel flour" that lists these ingredients:

  • Bleached Wheat Flour Enriched
  • Malted Barley Flour
  • Potassium Bromate

Is "malted barley flour" in this "super bagel flour" in essence a substitute for the traditional malt syrup or malt powder in bagels? Or is this something else, and I should still treat this flour just like "bread flour" that is commonly called for in bagel recipes and continue adding malt syrup/powder?

package ingredients



Best Answer

Malted syrup is a form of sugar (maltose). Malted barley flour is flour that has been partially germinated (sprouted) which increases your dough's ability to convert starch into sugar (maltose), making your bagel softer and more moist. Both will increase maltose levels in your bagels: one directly and one indirectly. I would probably try reducing some of the malted syrup in your recipe but would not eliminate it (unless you have a recipe specifically for this flour which does not include malted syrup). Also, the flour you are using is high-gluten flour which should also give your bagels the traditional chewiness.




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Do you need malt for bagels?

Malt powder: do not omit the malt powder, it is what gives the bagels the signature bagel flavor and improves the dough's texture. Without it, the bagels will taste like bagel-shaped bread. But, if getting malt powder is not an option, replace it with brown sugar.

Can I make bagels without barley malt syrup?

Barley malt syrup is a key ingredient in bagels, but it can be hard to find in stores. However, you can use malt extract, brown rice syrup, or honey as substitutes for barley malt syrup in your bagels. Keep reading for more alternatives!

Is diastatic malt powder necessary?

Let your breads rise higher and brown easier! Diastatic malt powder is the "secret ingredient" savvy bread bakers use to promote a strong rise, great texture, and lovely brown crust. Especially useful when flour does not have barley malt added, as is true for most whole wheat flour and many organic flours.

What can I substitute for malted milk powder?

15 Substitutes for Malt Powder You Can Get Easily
  • Ovaltine. Ovaltine is a chocolate malted milk powder and is one of the best non-diastatic substitutes for malt powder. ...
  • Bread Flour. ...
  • Malted Milk Powder. ...
  • Coconut Milk Powder. ...
  • Molasses. ...
  • Corn Syrup. ...
  • Corn Starch. ...
  • Vanilla Powder.




Quick And Easy Homemade Bagels Recipe




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Nicole Michalou, Anna Tarazevich, Nicole Michalou, Nicole Michalou