The primary ingredient in a bagel is wheat flour. The dough for bagels is typically made from high-gluten or bread flour, which gives the bagel its dense, chewy texture. The bagels are boiled in water before being baked, which contributes to their shiny crust and unique texture. In addition to flour, traditional bagel recipes may include water, yeast, salt, and sugar. Various toppings, such as sesame seeds or poppy seeds, can be added before baking for flavor and texture variety.