The main ingredient in a traditional bagel is wheat flour. Bagels are made from a dough that typically comprises high-gluten or bread flour, water, yeast, and salt. This combination results in a dense, chewy bread that is boiled before being baked, giving bagels their unique texture and characteristic crust. While there are many variations of bagels with different toppings such as sesame seeds or everything seasoning, the foundational ingredient remains wheat flour. Bagels are popular for breakfast and can be served with various spreads, cream cheese, or used in sandwiches.