Here's Where To Find The Absolute Best Gluten-Reduced Bagel In NYC

Many people who have gluten sensitivities have, at one point or another, tasted gluten-loaded bread items. Whether it was before they discovered their allergy or sensitivity, or by mistake, having a sense of what you're missing only makes it harder to switch to a gluten-free or gluten-reduced diet. There are plenty of GF options available today in grocery stores, but the hard truth is that some of these just don't compare to their wheat-based counterparts. Bagels are an especially difficult baked good to replicate without their usual amount of gluten, but if we expected anyone to nail it, it would be a bakery in New York. Tasting Table ranked 10 gluten-free bagels in NYC — for the shop chosen as offering the best, head to Pio Bagel.

It must be clarified that the "gluten-free" bagels at Pio actually do include some gluten — the reviewer noted that a sign above the gluten-free bagels in the shop read, "NOT recommended for those with celiac disease." However, these bagels may still be enjoyed by people who are sensitive to gluten but can still tolerate smaller amounts of it. 

Pio's gluten-reduced bagel would pass for a regular one based on looks. And, the striking similarities don't stop at the big and puffy exterior; the bagel has the distinctive crunch of a good bagel on the outside and leads to a thick and soft inside. Where some GF bagels have additives to make up for the lack of wheat, this bagel just has doughy, pillowy bagel.

Not in NYC? We've also covered the best bagel shops in every state; some of which may have gluten-free options. If you can't get your hands on a Pio's bagel, there are other ways to boost your store-bought GF bagels at home. Try mascarpone on your next bagel sandwich as an alternative to cream cheese; its richness might just make up for what your bagel lacks in flavor or texture. Or, use spinach and artichoke dip as a bagel topping — nobody would complain about that.

Although you're missing out on the gluten of the bread product itself, you can enjoy most of the common ingredients that go on top of a bagel. Perhaps what your at-home GF creations are missing are just some bagel topping combos that make it taste gourmet. Sun-dried tomato cream cheese with flaky salt is a slept-on duo, as is spicy salmon with everything bagel seasoning. Have no fear — there is hope for the gluten-free bagel!