Do you have leftover bagels? Let’s discuss how to reheat a bagel properly.
Originating from the Jewish communities of Poland, the bagel soon spread out to the rest of the world. The jury is out and we’ve collectively decided that bagels get to stay.
Whether you like them plain or chock-full of asiago and lox, bagels owe at least a part of their international acclaim to their versatility. Day old, frozen, and refrigerated bagels can still taste great as long as you reheat them properly.
We’ll discuss some of the most effective ways to preserve the soft, fresh out of the oven appeal of a bagel when reheating them.
How to Reheat a Bagel
For day old and stale bagels, the old “dip and heat” method works best. First, run the bagel directly under warm water for fifteen seconds.
After the skin of the bagel is sufficiently saturated, place it in the oven at 375 degrees. Leave it in the oven for four to five minutes on the middle rack.
When using this method, try to count out the seconds in order to avoid over-saturating the bagel. If you’ve made it too moist, bake it in the oven for a minute or two longer.
Alternatively, you can microwave the dry bagel with a cup of warm water in order to get it moist again. However, it won’t have the same degree of crispiness as a bagel heated in the oven.
1. Use the Oven
You can use the oven to revive stale bagels. Follow the instructions below to reheat bagels in the oven.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Place the bagels on a baking sheet and sprinkle some water on them. Make sure not to soak the bagels – a gentle drizzle should do the trick
- Allow the bagels to sit in the oven for about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Take them out and see if they look noticeable puffer. If not, heat them for another minute and they should be ready to be devoured
- Eat them fresh out of the oven or top them with your choice of schmear
2. Reheat Bagels in a Microwave
Microwave can also be used for reheating bagels. Here’s how to reheat bagels in a microwave.
- Slice the bagels in half and place them on a microwave-safe plate or dish with the cut sides facing upwards
- You can add some butter, cheese or any other topping to up the flavor
- Set the microwave on the lowest setting and allow the bagels to heat for a minute or two
- The bagels should come out bakery fresh and beautiful. If they are still a little frozen, heat for another minute and they should be ready.
- Enjoy your bagels
Can You Reheat a Bagel with Toppings?
Depending on your taste preferences, it’s possible to properly reheat a bagel with cream cheese, butter, honey, or other runny toppings. You can even reheat a previously cream cheesed bagel; however, it’s best to consume the bagel directly after adding the toppings.
Pop the bagel in the microwave for ten seconds on high, or in the oven for four to five minutes at 325 degrees F. The bagel will be saturated with deliciously runny, warm cream cheese.
Keep in mind that it’s not possible to toast a bagel with toppings on it safely, as the topping could easily burn in a toaster oven.
Best Practices for Reheating Bagels
Contrary to popular thought, bagels do go bad – eventually. Like other bread products, spoiled bagels will have a bitter smell when they start to go bad.
Avoid eating any bagel that has grown any mold.
To store a bagel, wrap it tightly in foil and place it in the freezer. The bagel will retain best quality for three months; however, in a sub-zero freezer, the bagel can last indefinitely.
Once you’re ready, take out the frozen bagel in its foil. Place in a pre-heated 300 degrees F oven for fifteen to twenty minutes so that it can thaw and warm.
If you plan to eat a bagel within the next few days, it’s easiest just to store it in the fridge for up to seven days.
How to Keep Bagels Soft
To keep your bagels soft, store them in a plastic bag. Make sure to put a damp paper towel in the bottom of the bag to help keep the bagels moist. You can also freeze your bagels to help keep them fresh longer. Just make sure to thaw them out before you eat them.
How Long do Bagels Stay Good
As long as you store them properly, bagels will stay fresh for up to four days. To keep your bagels fresh, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or store them in a resealable bag. You can also freeze bagels to extend their shelf life. When stored in the freezer, bagels will stay fresh for up to three months.
To enjoy a fresh bagel, simply pop it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or toast it in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes. Enjoy your fresh bagel with your favorite spread or topping.
How to Reheat Frozen Bagels
If you’re in a hurry, the best way to reheat frozen bagels is to pop them in the toaster for a few minutes. But if you want your bagels to taste freshly baked, you can reheat them in the oven.
To reheat frozen bagels in the oven:
– Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
– Place the frozen bagels on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes, or until heated through.
– Enjoy!
How to Store Bagels Properly
You may think that throwing leftover bagels in the fridge is a good idea, but it really isn’t. The fact is that baked goods like bagels actually stale faster when refrigerated.
Instead, store them in an air tight container at room temperature. And they will last up to 2 to 3 days before going stale.
Whereas, if you freeze fresh bagels, they will stay good for up to 4 months. Slice the bagels all the way through, put them in an airtight container or a bag, and store them in the freezer. Slicing them beforehand makes it more convenient to reheat bagels, since you don’t need to thaw them before toasting.