What is a bialy most similar to?

A bialy is most similar to a bagel because both are traditional bread products originating from Eastern European Jewish cuisine. They share a similar ingredients base, typically including flour, water, yeast, and salt. However, the preparation and final product differ. Bialys are typically not boiled before baking like bagels are, which contributes to their denser and chewier texture. Instead, bialys are made with a small depression in the center that is often filled with ingredients like onions, garlic, or poppy seeds, adding distinct flavor characteristics. This unique feature further cements their connection to bagels, which can also come with various toppings and flavors.

While donuts, cookies, and croissants are all types of pastries, they possess different textures and flavors that set them apart from both bialys and bagels. For instance, donuts are typically sweet and fried, cookies are generally sweet baked treats, and croissants are flaky and buttery, reflecting a different baking method and culinary tradition. This makes the comparison to bialys most appropriate with bagels, given their shared culinary heritage and base ingredients.