Bushra Griffith
There's nothing more delicious than a bagel sandwich with melted cheese. The key to achieving this is to use a low to medium heat, so the cheese melts without burning the bagel. Frying is a popular method, melting butter in a pan and frying the sandwich for 4-5 minutes on each side. Grilling is another option, placing the sandwich under a grill with direct heat on the cheese. If you prefer to bake your bagel sandwich, brush the outside with melted butter and bake at 180°C for 10-15 minutes. For a simple cheese filling, a combination of cream cheese and cheddar is a classic, but any melty cheese will work.
Characteristics and Values Table for Melting Cheese in a Bagel Sandwich
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Cream Cheese, Cheddar, or any melty cheese |
| Type of Bagel | Plain bagels are recommended to avoid burning seeds or grains |
| Temperature | Low-Medium Heat |
| Cooking Method | Frying or Baking |
| Frying Instructions | Melt butter in a pan, add the bagel, cover with a lid, fry for 4-5 minutes, flip, and fry for another 4-5 minutes |
| Baking Instructions | Brush bagels with melted butter, bake at 180C/350F for 10-15 minutes or at 500 for 5 minutes |
| Additional Tips | Squidge the centre of the bagel halves to make room for the cheese, spread butter or mayonnaise, and press cheese into the cream cheese so it sticks |
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What You'll Learn
Use low-medium heat to melt cheese
To get cheese to melt in a bagel sandwich, it is recommended to use low-medium heat. This ensures the cheese melts without burning the bagel.
Start by melting a knob of butter in a pan over low-medium heat. Once melted, place your prepared bagel sandwich in the pan and cover with a lid. Leave the sandwich to fry for 4-5 minutes, then remove the lid and flip the sandwich using a plastic spatula. Place the lid back on and fry for another 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese is gooey. If the bagel is browning too quickly before the cheese has melted, simply lower the heat.
The type of cheese you use will also impact how well it melts. Cream cheese is a good option as it has a low melting point and pairs well with bagels. Cheddar adds a punch of flavour and is another popular choice. You could also try using mayonnaise or butter and extra sharp cheddar cheese for a more indulgent option.
If you are making multiple sandwiches, baking in the oven is a convenient option. Brush the bagels with melted butter and bake at 180°C/350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until the bagels are golden and crispy, and the cheese has melted. You can also grill (broil) the sandwich to ensure direct heat is applied to the cheese, melting it without drying out the bagel.
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Choose a plain bagel to avoid burning
When making a bagel sandwich with melted cheese, it's best to use a plain bagel to avoid burning. Bagels with seeds or grains are likely to burn when they come into direct contact with the pan. Sesame seeds and poppy seeds are popular choices for bagels but are best avoided to prevent burning. If you want to add seeds to your bagel sandwich, it's better to sprinkle them on top of the cheese or inside the sandwich.
If you only have seeded bagels available, there are a few things you can do to try and prevent them from burning. One option is to bake the bagel sandwich in the oven, as this will reduce the amount of direct heat on the bagel. You can also try grilling the bagel, which will melt the cheese without crisping up the bagel too much. However, these methods may not completely prevent the seeds from burning.
Another option is to toast the bagel in a toaster, which will help to ensure that the seeds do not burn. If you do choose to fry a seeded bagel, use low to medium heat and keep a close eye on it, lowering the heat if the bagel starts to turn dark brown before the cheese has melted. Adding a lid to the pan can also help to ensure the cheese melts before the bagel burns.
If your bagel does end up burning, there are a few things you can do to salvage it. You can try to cut off the burnt parts, but this may not be possible if the entire bagel is burnt. Another option is to use a cheese grater to gently scrape off the burnt parts, revealing the softer interior. You can also turn burnt bagels into bagel crumbs, croutons, or chips by toasting or baking them until crispy and then processing them into crumbs or using them as a crunchy topping for salads or soups.
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Broil or grill to melt cheese, not the bagel
If you want to melt the cheese without toasting the bagel, grilling or broiling is a good option. This method works best with an open bagel, so the direct heat melts the cheese without crisping or drying the bread.
First, prepare your bagel by halving it and pressing around the centre to create room for the cheese. This will help prevent the cheese from spilling out as it melts. For a closed bagel sandwich, you can grill one half open-faced and then place the other half on top once the cheese has melted.
When grilling, use a nonstick pan over medium-low heat. Place the bagel in the pan and cook until the cheese starts to melt and the bottom is browned, about 4 minutes. Then, carefully flip the sandwich and let the other side brown.
If you are using an oven, a higher temperature will crisp the bagel while the cheese melts, whereas a lower temperature will dry out the bagel. A recommended method is to bake at 500 degrees Fahrenheit on the top rack for 5 minutes, checking at 3 minutes to ensure even cooking. If the cheese is not browning, increase the temperature, and if the bagel is burning, lower the temperature or switch to a straight broil.
By using these techniques, you can enjoy a delicious bagel sandwich with melted cheese without worrying about over-toasting or drying out your bagel.
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Add butter to the pan and the bagel
To get cheese to melt in a bagel sandwich, one method is to add butter to the pan and the bagel. This can be done by melting a knob of butter in a pan over low to medium heat. Once the butter has melted, place the bagel in the pan and cover it with a lid. Allow the bagel to fry for 4-5 minutes, then remove the lid and flip the bagel using a plastic spatula. Put the lid back on and fry for another 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese is gooey. If the bagel is browning too quickly, simply lower the heat.
Another option is to butter the cut sides of the bagel. This can be useful if you want to turn the bagel inside out, preventing seeds from falling off and creating a flatter surface for cooking. After adding your fillings, place the remaining bagel half on top, with the buttered side facing up. Flatten the sandwich with a spatula and cook until the bottom is golden brown, which should take around 2-3 minutes. Then, flip the sandwich and brown the other side.
If you are making multiple sandwiches, an alternative method is to brush the bagels with melted butter and bake them in the oven. Bake at 180°C or 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until the bagels are deep golden and crispy, and the cheese has melted. You can also grill the bagel to ensure the cheese melts without the bagel drying out or becoming too crispy.
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Include cream cheese for gooey texture
If you're looking for a gooey cheese texture in your bagel sandwich, cream cheese is a great option. It has a low melting point, so it will easily melt and give your sandwich a nice, creamy texture. Here's how you can make a delicious bagel sandwich with gooey cream cheese:
First, slice your bagel in half. If you're using a plain bagel, it's a good idea to squidge the centre of each half to make more room for your cheese and fillings. This will also help prevent your cheese from melting into the pan. If you're frying your bagel, use a pan over low to medium heat. Melt some butter, then add your bagel, frying for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden. If you're baking, brush the bagels with melted butter and bake at 180°C/350°F for 10-15 minutes.
Now, it's time to add the cheese! Spread a generous amount of cream cheese onto the bottom half of your bagel. You can also add other cheeses, like cheddar, for extra flavour. Gently press the cheddar into the cream cheese so it sticks together. If you're feeling adventurous, you can mix herbs, garlic, or spices into your cream cheese for an extra punch of flavour. Fresh herbs like basil and chives work well, but feel free to experiment!
Once your cheese is on, it's time to add your toppings. Classic toppings include sliced tomato, red onion, cucumbers, and capers. If you're using tomatoes, seasoning them with salt, pepper, and olive oil can add extra flavour. For a more savoury option, try adding bacon, sliced pickled jalapeños, or lox. If you're craving something sweet, blueberry jam or honey pairs well with cream cheese.
Finally, place the top half of the bagel, and your sandwich is ready to enjoy! You can also cut the sandwich in half to check if the cheese has reached your desired level of gooeyness.
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Frequently asked questions
To get cheese to melt in a bagel sandwich, it is recommended to use low to medium heat. Fry the sandwich for 4-5 minutes on each side, or bake at 180°C/350°F for 10-15 minutes.
Cream cheese is a good option as it has a low melting point and goes well with bagels. Cheddar is also a good choice for adding flavour. However, any melty cheese will work.
Grilling is preferable to baking as it ensures the cheese melts without the bagel drying out. If baking, it is a trade-off between a high temperature that crisps the bagel and a lower temperature that may dry out the bagel.
