Product Review: Sweet Note Gluten Free Garlic & Herb Bagels

Product: Sweet Note Gluten Free Garlic & Herb Bagels – $7.25

You know, I’m already one of those “crazy bagelers” that your parents warned you about.  I’m a girl who grew up in the capital of bagel country.  New York.  If you are from New York, you better know how to get your bagel on.

Bagels, while they get a bad rep, are one of my most favorite things in life.  Mmmm…carby goodness for sure.  They are filling, crunchy, chewy, and slathered with some sort of delicious schmear of goodness…making it both an epic morning breakfast and a treat.

And while the gluten-free market is becoming inundated with gluten free versions of bagels…none have really had that authenticity…that dense, chewy, but crispy on the outside authenticity of a true New York-Style bagel.

Until…Sweet Note Bakery…

Now, Sweet Note and I have a really fun history.  It all began with a simple tweet.  Yep.  The Twitter is what brought them into my life.  I had reviewed Canyon Bakehouse’s new bagels and Sweet Note chimed in with how if I liked Canyon Bakehouse…I’d love their stuff.  So, I took the bait…went to their Web site…and found a plethora of gluten free and vegan bagel goodness.  It took me awhile to talk myself into ordering anything…but when I did…it was the start of something good. Now, my freezer is never without some variety of Sweet Note Bagels.

And, with winter finally leaving and spring warming our hearts and bodies, Sweet Note decided to spread a little spring fever as well…with the introduction of not one (1) but FOUR (4) new bagel flavors.

I must have died and gone to gluten-free bagel heaven.  The four flavors are Tomato Basil, Salt, Garlic, and Garlic & Herb.  The last three are exclusively available ONLY online in their shop.  When the release date for the bagels came…I immediately placed an order and got all four new flavors.  When it comes to bagels, I don’t mess around.  They arrived on Thursday of last week…so this week…I’m starting to try them out.

I asked my roommate what flavor she wanted to try first, and, without any hesitation, she said, “Garlic & Herb.”  I had a feeling that would be the case, though.  Anything with garlic makes her happy…throw in some herby goodness…and she’s in food heaven (or coma…depending…).

Yesterday was the big premier.  After my 5:30 am spin class, I came home and pulled the Sweet Note Gluten Free Garlic & Herb Bagels out of the freezer and pulled 2 from the packaging.  I thawed them for a minute (I have discovered that if you do 30 seconds on one side, then flip it over and do 30 seconds on the other, you get the perfect thaw) in the microwave and sliced each one in half, placing it on a baking sheet  and prepping it for some toasting while I took my shower.  Into the preheated 350°F oven it went.

I showered, I dressed, I came out of the bathroom and noticed that the aroma in the apartment was crazy goodness.  It was like I stepped into an Italian Trattoria or something.  Roasted garlic and those powerful herbs (rosemary, thyme, basil, and oregano…plus others) just invaded the apartment…and it was enough to set my mouth to watering.  I couldn’t wait to get these out of the oven and tried them.  If they tasted as good as they smelled…these could be dangerous indeed.  A few more minutes (between 15-20 total) in the oven, and I pulled the bagels out, noting the light toast on the cut side and the golden color of the crust…a perfect bagel toasting if I did say so myself.  Each half got a hearty schmear of Daiya Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Style Spread and…breakfast was served.

I didn’t wait to even sit down before taking a bite of mine…

The Sweet Note Gluten Free Garlic & Herb Bagels…are bagels at their finest.  Rich with powerful flavors and packed with hearty and healthy herbs (that can come straight from an herb garden!), this bagel was one of the most delicious things I have put into my mouth.  And, as a marathon runner, I eat a lot.  HAHA!  The garlic was a strong flavor, but it was tampered down and kept in balance by the earthy and robust flavors of the herbs that were incorporated into the batter.  I loved the intense, but subtle flavors each bite brought.  I love how Sweet Note Bakery makes their bagels in the proper New York-style.  Not the size of a steering wheel, but smaller…denser…thicker…yummier.  Hey…I know a good bagel when I bite into one.  These toasted up to perfection.  These tasted of perfection.  The ladies (and gentleman) of the Sweet Note Bakery team hit this one out of the bagel ball park.  MVB (Most Valuable Bagel)…right here.  SO GOOD!

So…let’s discuss the ingredients that go into Sweet Note Gluten Free Garlic & Herb Bagels.  These bagels are made from LOVE (yep…that’s an ingredient!), water, white rice flour, tapioca flour, sweet white rice flour, sorghum flour, brown sugar, cane syrup, olive oil, molasses, yeast, xanthan gum, psyllium husk, garlic, salt, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, sage, basil and oregano.  As always when it comes to Sweet Note’s bagels, these bagels are gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, egg-free, peanut & tree nut-free, and cholesterol free.  LOVE IT!!

As far as nutrition goes, I love how all four of the new flavors are under 300 calories per bagel.  One full bagel (not half a bagel…but a full bagel) with under 300 calories.  Yep…speaking my language.  The Sweet Note Gluten Free Garlic & Herb Bagels come with four (4) bagels per package.  The serving size is one (1) bagel.  This one bagel will deliver unto you 280 calories, 3.5 grams fat, .5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 320 mg sodium, 60 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber, 7 grams sugars, and 4 grams of protein.  POWERHOUSE of nutrition…especially for the endurance athlete.  And the higher fiber and protein content will keep you fuller longer!

This flavor is only available in their ONLINE STORE!

I am so thankful for Sweet Note for bringing authentic bagels to the gluten-free world.  No fillers…just real ingredients.  That’s one reason their bagels are so amazing.  Making them in the classic New York-style also helps.  So, my dearest friends at Sweet Note…keep making these awesome breakfast goodies…keep exploring new flavors…and keep bringing only the best…because it is companies like you…and products like this…that make the this gluten-free girl rise and shine in the morning.  Your Garlic & Herb Bagels are a ray of sunshine…schmeared with a healthy dose of awesomesauce!