Air Fried Grain-Free Bagel (Single-Serve!)

I used to eat a bagel every. single. day. After a long bagel hiatus (thanks to IBD), I FINALLY made an easy gut-healthy grain free bagel that can be made from scratch in just 15 minutes!

A Gut-Healthy Bagel Recipe!

If you can’t already tell, my excitement is through the roof about this recipe! Back in my pre-IBD days, I was a self-proclaimed bagel connoisseur. A true bagel fanatic, if you will. Not only were they my ultimate comfort food, but they were my lifeline, go-to portable ready-to-eat food all through high school and college. As a runner and overall carb lover, bagels were that one food that ticked all of my boxes!

Bagels are also SO versatile that they never get old! I’m constantly switching up the fillings and toppings based on what I wake up craving.

With all of that said, when I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (a chronic autoimmune disease that falls under the “IBD” category) and switched my diet to follow the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) to manage my symptoms, I was DESPERATE to create a bagel recipe that wouldn’t throw me into a UC flare!

• Link: “Understanding IBD”

The SCD is a diet that focuses on removing inflammatory carbohydrates and processed foods. Refined carbs and processed sugar cause an inflammatory response in the body by elevating blood sugar too rapidly. Since IBD is already an autoimmune disease caused by a hyperactive immune system, anyone diagnosed with it already has WAYYY too many inflammatory response signals to go around. The Specific Carbohydrate Diet simply limits specific carbs to help lighten the load!

Unfortunately, these specific carbohydrates includes those found in practically all grains (aka my beloved bagels). Cue these 15-minute, homemade bagels! Made with SCD-friendly ingredients- such as almond flour and Greek yogurt- of course.

• Link: “SCD Legal/Illegal List”

The only non-SCD ingredient in this recipe is tapioca flour.

Since my symptoms have subsided and my UC has been “in remission”, I’ve slowly been adding in more “SCD Illegal” foods back into my diet. This didn’t happen overnight though, and I’m still very cautious with what I add back in: I still stick to grain-free, refined-sugar-free foods that fall under the “paleo diet realm” of eating. I wrote a blog post about what groups of foods I’ve been able to add back in so far without throwing me into a flare!

• Link: “How I Started Adding Non-SCD Foods into My Diet”

My Favorite Healthy Bagel Toppings:

The options are endless when it comes to topping bagels! But here’s a list of a few of my SCD-legal favs:

• Greek yogurt: Thank goodness yogurt SCD-legal! Fermented products are always a win when it comes to gut health so I take every opportunity I can to sneak them in at every opportunity. I use Greek yogurt in place of cream cheese and often mix it with homemade jam or mashed berries!
• Avocado: Since the avocado toast craze happened a couple years ago, I feel like this healthy topping is almost an unspoken obvious favorite! Plus avocado is full of healthy fats and can totally be twisted as a sweet or savory option. Sometimes I go for the classic avocado & egg duo; sometimes its the avocado & berry combo.
• Nut butter: If you are what you eat, I would be a nut. The sole amount of different types of nut butter I have in my pantry right now is embarrassing. I love it so much.
• Eggs: The classic diner combo of eggs and bread: another favorite of mine!
• A drizzle of honey or strawberry syrup: If I want to make this bagel for a simple afternoon snack, I like to go for lighter toppings like honey or my favorite homemade strawberry syrup!

How to Make Air Fried Grain-Free Bagels

Note: This is a single-serve recipe but it can easily be multiplied to make more!

Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the almond flour, coconut flour, tapioca flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir well.

Step 2: Add in the plain greek yogurt and stir again until a cohesive dough forms. It will be thick and slightly sticky.

Step 3: Lightly coat your hands and a flat surface lightly with tapioca flour to prevent sticking. Use your hands to form the dough into a bagel-like shape. Place in the air fryer and bake.

Strawberry Basil Swirl Flavor:

This is my favorite fun flavor variation of the base recipe! It’s slightly sweet and counteracted with a hint of savory basil. YUM. I also like to make a cinnamon version of the basic recipe by simply adding 1/4tsp. of cinnamon to the dry ingredients before adding the greek yogurt. The hint of a warm spice- like cinnamon- gives it the perfect touch of flavor that pairs so well with nut butter or a drizzle of honey!

Step 1: Place 1/3cup of strawberries (I used frozen but fresh would work too) and 1/4 tsp. dried basil in a small microwave-safe dish.

Step 2: Microwave on high for 1 minute and mash the berries with a fork.

Step 3: Spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of the strawberry basil mixture over the mixed bagel dough. Lightly fold it in.

Step 4: Form into a bagel shape with your hands and air fry!

These air fried bagels also toast really well! I love toasted them on a medium setting until they’re slightly golden-brown.

More of My Favorite Single-Serve Recipes:

• Single-Serve Grain-Free Cinnamon Rolls
• Paleo Chocolate Collagen Mug Cake
• SCD Almond Butter Belgian Waffle
• Paleo Single-Serve Chocolate Cream Pie
• SCD Mediterranean Tuna Cakes

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