Should bagels be toasted or served as is?
New Yorkers and breakfast lovers alike have long-debated whether or not bagels should be toasted or served as they are. And although it comes down to personal preference, deciding whether or not to toast a bagel can make a major impact on the flavor and texture of your breakfast.
What is the best way to eat bagels?
Whether you enjoy it with lox, butter, or jam, or with cheese, raisins, or sesame seeds baked right into the crust, a well-toasted bagel is the perfect breakfast food and café treat. Of course, first you have to toast it.
Do cold cuts taste better on toasted bagels?
It is an unscientific fact that cold cuts taste better on toasted bagels, something about the crispiness against the soft flesh of that turkey. Don't ask us! Ask science. Now, if you get lox on that bagel, you need to go untoasted. This is the purist's way, and the purist's way is always the right way.
Do bagels need to be eaten warm or cold?
A bagel should be eaten warm and, ideally, should be no more than four or five hours old when consumed. A few more bagel stipulations from my Times story: Bagels do not need six ounces of cream cheese on them.

Why do people eat untoasted bagels?
They believe that it is always unacceptable to toast a warm, fresh bagel. They say that a bagel fresh out of the oven has the perfect amount of crispiness and chewiness and toasting is completely unnecessary. Purists say that toasting a fresh bagel can detract from its flavor and make a great bagel taste mediocre.
What is the proper way to eat a bagel?
Spread butter on the inside of a fresh-baked or freshly-reheated bagel. Use a knife to spread a thin layer - about 1 tablespoon (15 ml) - of butter evenly on both sides of your bagel, and enjoy your bagel. Spread 2 oz of cream cheese on your bagel for a classic taste.
Do New Yorkers get their bagels toasted?
Real New Yorkers don't toast their bagels! As a life long New Yorker, I want to show you where to eat a bagel and how to eat a bagel like a New Yorker. You'll have the most authentic New York experience and won't be judged by those around you.
Do you bake or toast a bagel?
If you have a day-old bagel that needs to be restored, you can slice and toast it. If the bagel is stale but not dry, toast the entire bagel intact. Put it in a toaster oven or an oven preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for four to five minutes.
Are bagels healthier than bread?
Unfortunately there's no simple answer to this question. In terms of calories, on average one bagel has more calories than one slice of bread. However, if you choose to have a bagel with more fibre, this may help you feel fuller for longer and potentially reduce your snacking throughout the day.
Why are bagels in New York better?
In fact, New York bagels are superior to other bagels due to two things: The New York water, which is a key ingredient, plus the way the bagels are cooked. Tap water in New York is very soft, meaning it has low concentrations of minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Are New York bagels steamed or toasted?
A New York style bagel is always boiled in water that has had barley malt added, which gives a bagel its signature taste, texture, and leathery skin.
How do you eat a bagel for breakfast?
Bagels 8 Waysfavorite bagels.almond or peanut butter with sliced bananas.almond or peanut butter with shredded coconut and mini chocolate chips.jam with chia seeds.cream cheese with sliced cucumbers and sun-dried tomatoes.cream cheese with sliced green and black olives.hummus with sliced tomatoes.More items...•
How do New Yorkers say bagel?
“Bay-gull” is the Goldi-locks of the word's pronunciation. It references bagels' Eastern European roots while also maintaining the adaptations both the baked good, and the word itself, have made over time. One thing's for certain: It's definitely not “bag-el.”
How do you eat a bagel without a toaster?
To toast bagels over a stovetop, simply heat a non-stick pan over medium heat until warm, and then put the bagel over the surface while gently pressing down on it without overly squishing it. Pressing down on the bagel will make sure that all of the surfaces are in contact with the pan. Do not heat the pan too much!
Can you microwave bagels?
Most bagels can be microwaved for about 15 to 20 seconds to fully reheat. Depending on the condition and storage method, the microwave time may vary slightly: Stale bagel: 30 seconds. Room temperature bagel: 10 seconds.
How do you toast the perfect bagel?
For Stale, but Not Dry Bagels: The Whole-Bagel Toast The Method: Place the entire intact bagel into the toaster oven, or a regular oven preheated to 375°F, for four to five minutes.
Can you put bagels in the microwave?
Most bagels can be microwaved for about 15 to 20 seconds to fully reheat. Depending on the condition and storage method, the microwave time may vary slightly: Stale bagel: 30 seconds. Room temperature bagel: 10 seconds.
How do you toast a bagel without a toaster?
To toast bagels over a stovetop, simply heat a non-stick pan over medium heat until warm, and then put the bagel over the surface while gently pressing down on it without overly squishing it....Stove TopPreheat the pan to medium heat. ... Add the bagel to the pan while gently pressing down on it for about 5-10 seconds.More items...
Do people eat bagels plain?
Bagels are supposed to be eaten any way you want to eat them some people like cream cheese and lox,some people like peanut butter and jelly some like melted cheese and ham how about tuna salad and lettuce or just plain cream cheese or you might like a hamburger and cheddar cheese it doesn't matter anything you like ...
How do you eat a bagel without cream cheese?
17 Bagel Toppings to Try That Aren't Just Cream CheesePeanut Butter & Granola. Peanut butter is my one true love in life, and so obviously I love to slather the creamy spread all over my bagels. ... Smoked Salmon. ... Avocado & Poached Egg. ... Nutella. ... Bacon, Egg & Cheese. ... Ham & Cheddar. ... Pizza Bagel. ... Tuna Salad.More items...•
1 – Toast on the Stove Top
This is by far the most obvious answer – don’t have a toaster? Then simply turn on the stove and take your bagel-toasting efforts to the stove top.
2 – Broil in an Oven
If you have never toasted a bagel this way, you might be shocked at this idea.
3 – Slow Roast in Oven
Maybe you’re not satisfied with the above method but still think that toasting your bagel in your oven sounds like a viable solution. If so, you’re in luck.
4 – Toast it Over a Campfire
Ah, camping, adventure in the Great Outdoors! All that’s well and good, but whatever will you do without your buttered sesame seed bagel in the morning or lunchtime bagels and lox?
The Importance of Proper Storage
Each of the above methods can toast your bagels in the absence of a toaster. That said, if your bagels are already hard and dry, it might all be in vain. As such, even before you toast your bagels, you need to make sure they are stored properly.
