What are the ingredients in New York bagel chips?

November 28, 2025 •

4 min read

Interestingly, the original New York Style Bagel Chips were invented by two entrepreneurs who later sold the brand to Nabisco. So, what are the ingredients in New York bagel chips that made them so popular? The answer depends on the flavor, but a base of wheat flour, oil, salt, and yeast is always present.

Quick Summary

New York bagel chips typically contain a core set of ingredients including wheat flour, oil, sugar, and yeast, with specific flavorings added depending on the variety. Store-bought versions also include preservatives for shelf stability.

Key Points

Core Base: Plain New York bagel chips are built on a foundation of wheat flour, sunflower oil, sugar, yeast, and salt.
Preservatives for Shelf Life: Store-bought versions include natural preservatives like rosemary extract and ascorbic acid to maintain freshness.
Flavor Variations: Different flavors, such as Everything, Roasted Garlic, and Sea Salt, are created by adding specific seeds (sesame, poppy) or seasonings (dried garlic).
Oat Fiber Additive: Oat fiber is used in the commercial recipe to enhance texture and dietary fiber content.
Homemade Simplicity: Homemade bagel chips use far fewer, fresher ingredients, typically consisting of day-old bagels, olive oil, and preferred seasonings.
Twice-Baked Crunch: The signature crunch of commercial bagel chips is achieved through a specific twice-baking process, which removes moisture.

Core Ingredients in Plain New York Bagel Chips

The ingredient list for New York bagel chips can vary slightly depending on the specific flavor, but the plain variety offers a fundamental look into the base recipe. The core components are a testament to the simple, yet effective, formula used to create the signature crispy texture and satisfying flavor.

Wheat Flour: The primary structural ingredient, providing the foundation for the classic bagel.
Sunflower Oil: Used to achieve a baked, crispy texture without frying, differentiating them from many other chip products.
Cane Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness that balances the savory flavors and enhances browning during the baking process.
Oat Fiber: Included for texture and to boost the fiber content, a common practice in modern packaged snacks.
Organic Distilled Vinegar: Contributes to the characteristic bagel flavor profile and aids in the baking process.
Salt: Essential for seasoning and flavor enhancement, balancing the other ingredients.
Yeast: The leavening agent used in the original bagel dough before it is sliced and baked into chips.
Rosemary Extract (to preserve freshness): A natural preservative used to extend the product's shelf life.
Ascorbic Acid (antioxidant): Another preservative that helps maintain the product's quality and freshness over time.

Variations on Classic New York Bagel Chips

While the plain version provides a solid base, the brand offers several popular flavor variations by adding specific ingredients. Each flavor profile is achieved through a different combination of seasonings and additives.

Everything Bagel Chips

This flavor is one of the most recognizable and beloved. Its distinct taste comes from a unique blend of toppings. In addition to the base ingredients, Everything Bagel chips include:

Sesame Seeds
Poppy Seeds
Caraway Seeds
Dried Onion
Dried Garlic

Note that some versions have been known to use palm fruit oil and soy lecithin, depending on the specific product line.

Roasted Garlic and Sea Salt Flavors

For those who prefer a more savory or simple profile, New York Style offers dedicated garlic and sea salt varieties.

Roasted Garlic: Uses dried garlic and typically removes the Everything-specific seeds for a more focused garlic flavor profile.
Sea Salt: Replaces standard salt with sea salt, offering a slightly more complex and mineral flavor, while maintaining a clean, simple ingredient list.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought Ingredients

One of the biggest distinctions in bagel chip ingredients comes down to whether they are made at home or purchased from a store. This difference mainly revolves around preservatives, oils, and the use of fresh versus dehydrated ingredients.


Feature	Store-Bought Bagel Chips	Homemade Bagel Chips
Oil	Often uses sunflower or palm fruit oil for consistency and a neutral flavor.	Typically uses a high-quality oil like extra virgin olive oil for enhanced flavor.
Bagel Base	Made from a proprietary dough mix to ensure consistent texture and size.	Uses day-old or stale bagels, preventing waste and yielding a naturally crispy result.
Flavorings	Relies on dried seasonings like onion and garlic powder, and proprietary flavor blends.	Can use fresh, minced garlic and herbs, or high-quality seasoning mixes for a fresher taste.
Additives/Preservatives	Includes ingredients like rosemary extract, ascorbic acid, and oat fiber to extend shelf life and control texture.	Contains no artificial preservatives. Relies on the baking process and proper storage to maintain freshness.
Complexity	More complex ingredient list to ensure stability, flavor, and texture over a long shelf life.	Simple, clean ingredient list focusing on just a few fresh components.

The Manufacturing Process

Whether crafted at home or in a large facility, the process of turning a bagel into a crispy chip is fundamentally similar. For store-bought brands like New York Style, the bagels are typically sliced thin by machines, flavored evenly, and then twice-baked to achieve the signature crunch. This baking process also removes excess moisture, contributing to the product's crispness and extended shelf life. For homemade versions, a serrated knife is used to slice day-old bagels thinly, which are then tossed in oil and seasonings before being baked once until golden and crunchy. The twice-baked technique, however, is a hallmark of the commercial method that delivers a distinctively dry and brittle crispness.

Conclusion

The ingredients in New York bagel chips reveal a simple, yet carefully engineered formula that delivers a popular and satisfying snack. While a basic list of wheat flour, oil, sugar, salt, and yeast forms the foundation, specific flavor variants introduce a range of delicious additions, from the ubiquitous everything mix to concentrated garlic. The contrast between these store-bought formulations and simpler homemade versions highlights the need for preservatives and other additives to ensure consistency and shelf life in commercial products. Understanding these ingredients provides clarity on what creates the iconic crunch and flavor of one of America's favorite bagel snacks.

For more information on the specific products, you can visit the official website for New York Style Bagel Crisps to see the full list of flavors and ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Store-bought New York bagel chips typically use sunflower oil, but some varieties have also used palm fruit oil. Homemade recipes often call for olive oil.

Yes, store-bought New York bagel chips contain preservatives like rosemary extract and ascorbic acid to ensure freshness and extend their shelf life.

While homemade recipes often use day-old or stale bagels, commercial manufacturers use a specially formulated dough to ensure consistent quality and texture.

Everything bagel chips contain the classic blend of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, caraway seeds, dried onion, and dried garlic, which are not present in the plain variety.

The plain variety does not list animal products, but you should always check the label for specific allergens like soy lecithin, as ingredients can vary. Some variations, like Garlic Parmesan, may contain dairy.

Oat fiber is included in commercial bagel chips primarily to add texture and boost the product's fiber content, sometimes in place of whole grains.

Homemade bagel chips use simpler, fresher ingredients and no preservatives, relying on day-old bagels. Store-bought versions have a more complex list with additives to ensure shelf stability and uniform texture.