Bagels are one of those types of bread that are not only delicious, but also super easy to carry around! That's why, many people like to buy bagels in bulk and freeze them in the freezer so they don't have to bother every time they want to eat them. When ready to eat, bagels just need to be removed from the freezer, softened for a few hours at room temperature, then baked in the oven for the most delicious flavors! If you don't have enough free time, you can just pop the frozen bagels in the toaster or warm them up in the microwave before adding your favorite accompaniments to enrich the taste!
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Method 1 of 4: Softening and Baking Bagels in the Oven
Step 1. Soften the bagels at room temperature for 2-3 hours
If the bagels were individually wrapped before freezing, soften the bagels in the plastic wrap. If the bagels are not individually wrapped, try wrapping them in plastic wrap or aluminum foil after removing them from the freezer to prevent moisture loss when the bagels are softened.
If you want, you can also soften the bagels overnight, especially if you want to eat them for breakfast in the morning
Tips:
If you're in a hurry or forgot to soften a bagel, don't worry! Basically, frozen bagels can be baked right away in the toaster after they're taken out of the freezer.
Step 2. Preheat the oven to 204 degrees Celsius for 10-15 minutes before using
Once the bagels are completely soft, turn on the oven to the recommended temperature. After that, leave the oven for 5-10 minutes until the temperature is really hot.
- If you don't like a crunchy texture, just set the oven to 177 degrees Celsius.
- For a very crunchy texture, set the oven to 216 degrees Celsius.
Step 3. Sprinkle water over the surface of the bagel
Wet your fingertips with water, then splash the water all over the bagel. Repeat the process 2-3 times so that the amount of water is even. Remember, this method is mandatory so that the moisture that forms in the oven can make the surface texture of the bagel more crisp when baked.
If the bagel has already been cut, don't worry if the inside gets wet. The quality and taste of the bagels will not change because of it
Step 4. Split the bagel in half if it's not already split
Use a bread knife or a bread cutter to cut the bagel into two equal parts. If you don't have a bread cutter, place the bagels on a kitchen table or cutting board, then slice the bagels horizontally in the middle. If using a bread cutter, simply insert the bagel into the machine, then press the lever to split the bagel in half.
Be careful when slicing the bagels so you don't cut your hands
Step 5. Place the bagels on the baking sheet with the flat side up
Make sure the inside of the bagel is facing up so that the heat from the oven can cook it more evenly. Meanwhile, the surface of the bagel should still be facing downwards to give it a crunchy texture when cooked.
Bagels can also be baked whole, if desired. However, be aware that the inside of the bagel will not feel crispy and brown afterwards
Step 6. Bake the bagels in the oven for 10-15 minutes
Basically, every oven has a different power and setting. Therefore, try to check the condition of the bagels after 10 minutes. If the surface has not browned yet, bake the bagels again for another 5 minutes. The bagels are ready to serve when they are lightly browned on the surface, although you can of course bake them longer for a crispier texture.
If the bagels are still whole, you will most likely only need to bake them for 10-15 minutes to get an even degree of doneness
Step 7. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bagels to cool
Use heat-resistant gloves to remove the pan and place it on a heat-resistant surface. After that, let the bagels stand for 3-4 minutes until they cool down before consuming or enrich with various favorite toppings.
Don't forget to turn off the oven after use
Method 2 of 4: Warming Bagels with a Toaster
Step 1. Remove the bagels from the freezer and open the plastic wrap
If the bagels have been individually wrapped before freezing, simply remove one of them from the freezer. Don't forget to close the plastic clip again so that the rest of the bagels can be refrozen until it's time for consumption.
If you can't bake bagels in the oven, warming them in a toaster is the perfect option, especially since this method can produce bagels that are crispy on the skin but still soft and chewy on the inside
Step 2. Put the bagels in the toaster and determine the level of doneness you want
Some toasters even have special settings for warming or baking bagels, you know! However, always remember that it's better to bake a bagel too short than too long, especially since a burnt bagel can't be repaired.
Since each toaster has different settings, try your best to determine the right setting. In particular, use a slightly higher temperature than when you were baking the bread, especially since the texture of the bagels is thicker than the sheets of plain bread
Using the Toaster:
If you don't have a toaster or prefer to use an oven toaster, understand that the steps are essentially the same. All you have to do is insert the baking rack into the center of the oven, then lay the bagel slices flat side up. After that, determine the desired level of doneness, and turn on the toaster oven.
Step 3. Add your favorite sauce or accompaniment to enrich the taste of the bagel and make it more filling
Once the bagels are cooked, immediately remove them from the toaster and place them on a serving plate. Be aware that the extremely hot temperature of the bagels can injure your skin! Some examples of delicious dips or accompaniments eaten with bagels are:
- Cream cheese (unsalted or flavored)
- Peanut butter
- Nutella
- Egg
- Smoked salmon and capers
- Pizza and cheese sauce
- Crushed avocado
Method 3 of 4: Warming Bagels in the Microwave
Step 1. Remove the bagels from the freezer
If the bagels were individually wrapped before freezing, open them and remove the layers of wrapping first. If several bagels are frozen together, simply take one bagel and repack the remaining bagels before returning them to the freezer.
Microwaving bagels is a quick and easy way to make frozen bagels. However, always remember that bagels warmed with this method will not be crispy. If you want a crispier crust, warm the bagels in a toaster or conventional oven
Step 2. Splash warm water over the top of the bagel
Although it sounds contradictory, actually adding a little water can prevent the bagel from drying out in the microwave. If the bagels are already cut up, try to assemble them into a single bagel that is still intact at this stage. Then, dip your finger in warm water and splash the water all over the bagel.
If desired, wrap the bagel in moistened kitchen paper to make it more chewy when chewed. Don't forget to remove the tissue before eating the cooked bagel, OK
Step 3. Place the bagels in a heat-resistant container
First, cut the bagel in half, then place it on a heatproof plate with the flat side facing up. If you don't want to use another plate or container, place the bagel on paper towels so the bottom doesn't stick to the bottom of the microwave.
If the bagels are still whole, you can slice them before or after the bagels have warmed up in the microwave
Step 4. Warm the bagels in 20 second intervals until they are evenly heated to the inside
Basically, how long it takes to warm a bagel depends on the power of your microwave, although it usually only takes about 1 minute 15 seconds to 2 minutes to completely warm the bagel. To check the doneness of a bagel, try pressing the surface with your fingers. If the bagels are still hard or cold, don't rush to remove them from the microwave.
Be careful when removing very hot dishes from the microwave
Method 4 of 4: Freezing Bagels Properly
Step 1. Slice the bagels before freezing to make them easier to eat whenever desired
Use a bread knife or a special bread cutter to make slicing bagels easier!
Tips:
If you want to slice several different-flavored bagels, clean your knife or bread cutter between each cutting process so that the flavors of one bagel don't transfer to another. Of course you don't want to find a slice of onion while munching on a blueberry-flavored bagel, do you?
Step 2. Wrap the bagels individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil
Individually wrapping the bagels before freezing can prevent the risk of ice crystals forming which can spoil the taste of the bagels. Make sure the plastic wrap and aluminum foil are wide enough to cover the entire surface of the bagel!
Frozen bagels have the potential to lose moisture. To retain some of the moisture, try wrapping them individually before freezing
Step 3. Put the whole bagel in a special clip plastic bag for storing food in the freezer
Once the bagels are individually packaged, you can put them all in one plastic clip bag specifically designed for storing food in the freezer.
If the number of bagels is too large to fit in one plastic bag, try dividing them into 2 to 3 plastic bags
Step 4. Store bagels in the freezer for 6-12 months to maximize their quality
Ideally, bagels should be consumed within a maximum of one week after being frozen for the freshest taste. However, if you need to store them for a longer period of time, there's no harm in doing so as long as the bagels are used up within 6-12 months.
- This method is suitable for those of you who like to buy bagels in large quantities at the same time.
- Stick a label with the freezing date on the bagel so you can control the shelf life.
- Discard bagels that have discolored or have ice crystals on their surface. Basically, bagels are safe to eat as long as the freezing technique is correct, although they certainly can't be compared to fresh bagels.
