The Short Answer
Dave's Killer Bread Bagels are a CAUTION.
They are widely considered the "best of the worst" in the grocery store aisle. Compared to conventional brands like Thomas' or Sara Lee, they are a massive improvement because they are Certified Organic, Non-GMO, and free from high fructose corn syrup and artificial preservatives.
However, they fail the strict "clean" test for two reasons: seed oils and sugar. Every bagel is made with organic canola oil and contains about a teaspoon of added sugar. If you are strictly avoiding inflammatory oils or unnecessary glucose spikes, there are better options.
Why This Matters
Organic doesn't mean oil-free.
Many health-conscious shoppers assume "organic" equals "clean." While DKB uses expeller-pressed organic canola oil (which is better than the solvent-extracted conventional stuff), it is still a processed seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids. Oils In Crackers
The "Healthy" Sugar Trap.
Bagels are already dense sources of carbohydrates. Adding 4-6 grams of cane sugarānot for flavor, but to feed the yeast and speed up browningāturns a savory breakfast into a mild dessert. Thatās 25% of the daily added sugar limit for women in just one bagel. White Vs Wheat Bread
The Gluten Load.
To make whole grains taste soft and fluffy, DKB adds organic wheat gluten. This is an isolate processed from wheat. It boosts the protein count (11-13g per bagel), but it also increases the inflammatory load for anyone with even mild gluten sensitivity.
What's Actually In Plain Awesome Bagels
Here is the ingredient breakdown for their most popular "Plain Awesome" bagel.
- Organic Wheat Flour & Ancient Grains: The base is solidāa mix of wheat, barley, rye, spelt, millet, and quinoa.
- Organic Wheat Gluten: A processed additive used to make the dough chewier and fluffier.
- Organic Cane Sugar: The third or fourth ingredient. Added for quick rising and browning.
- Organic Expeller Pressed Canola Oil: An inflammatory seed oil used for texture and shelf life.
- Organic Cultured Wheat Flour: A "clean label" preservative. It sounds like flour, but it's used to inhibit mold.
- Enzymes: Processing aids that condition the dough.
What to Look For
Green Flags:
- USDA Organic: Ensures no synthetic pesticides or GMOs.
- High Fiber: 4-5g of fiber per bagel is decent.
- No Artificial Preservatives: No calcium propionate or potassium bromate. Bread No Preservatives
Red Flags:
- Canola Oil: Even organic, it's a cheap filler fat.
- Added Sugar: Unnecessary in a savory bread product.
- Glyphosate Residue: While organic is cleaner, independent tests have found trace levels of glyphosate in DKB products (around 10-13 ppb). This is far lower than conventional brands (which can be 400+ ppb), but not zero.
The Best Options
If you want a bagel that doesn't compromise, skip the DKB and look for these brands.
| Brand | Product | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alvarado Street Bakery | Sprouted Wheat Bagels | ā | Best Overall. Organic, sprouted, and absolutely no added oil. |
| One Mighty Mill | Stone-Milled Bagels | ā | Best Whole Wheat. Fresh-milled flour and uses simple ingredients (no seed oils). |
| PACHA | Buckwheat Buns | ā | Best Gluten-Free. Fermented buckwheat and salt. Only 2 ingredients. |
| Silver Hills | Sprouted Power | ā ļø | Acceptable. Sprouted (good), but still uses sunflower or canola oil (bad). |
| Dave's Killer Bread | Plain Awesome | ā ļø | Caution. Organic, but contains canola oil and added sugar. |
| Thomas' | Plain Bagels | š« | Avoid. High glyphosate, preservatives, and empty calories. |
The Bottom Line
1. Don't fear the DKB. If you are at a standard grocery store and need a bagel, Dave's is the safest mainstream choice. It is miles ahead of non-organic brands.
2. Check the freezer. The truly clean bagels (like Alvarado Street) typically live in the freezer section because they don't use preservatives.
3. Read the oil label. If you see "canola," "soybean," or "sunflower" oil, it's not a top-tier clean product. Look for "no oil" or "olive oil."
FAQ
Does Dave's Killer Bread have glyphosate?
Yes, but at very low levels. Independent tests have detected glyphosate in DKB products (around 10-13 ppb). This is likely due to drift from neighboring farms, as organic regulations prohibit spraying glyphosate directly. Conventional bagels often contain 30x this amount.
Is the canola oil in Dave's Killer Bread bad?
It depends on your strictness. It is organic and expeller-pressed, meaning it isn't extracted with hexane (a neurotoxin). However, it is still a processed seed oil high in Omega-6s, which many health experts advise minimizing.
Why is there so much protein in these bagels?
It's mostly added gluten. While some protein comes from the whole grains, a significant portion comes from "Organic Wheat Gluten," which is added specifically to boost the structure and protein count.