Best Cheeses To Pair With Bagels: A Guide

Bagels and cheese are a classic combination, but with so many varieties of each, it can be tricky to know what cheese goes best with your bagel of choice. From cream cheese to cheddar, mozzarella to marinated feta, the type of cheese you choose can make or break your bagel. For those with a sweet tooth, cinnamon raisin bagels are a great option, and when paired with a salty cheese like Bleu de Chèvre Cendré, the result is a delicious salty-sweet combo. If you're after something more savoury, an everything bagel with raclette is a great option, or you could try a cheese-stuffed bagel with Cheesestrings for the perfect gooey, stringy texture.

Characteristics of cheese that goes on bagels:

Cheese stuffed bagels

Cheese-stuffed Bagels

Overview

Cheese-stuffed bagels are a delicious and simple dish to make. They are a fun twist on the traditional bagel, as they look like a regular bagel from the outside but are oozing with cheese in the centre.

Ingredients and Recipe

To make cheese-stuffed bagels, you will need bagels, butter, garlic, and cheese. The best cheese to use is Cheesestring, as it fits perfectly in the centre of the bagel and has a gooey, stringy texture when it melts. However, you can also use cream cheese, provolone, colby-jack, or mozzarella.

First, slice the bagels about two-thirds of the way up and place the top slice to one side. Run a knife around the centre of the bottom slice, making sure you don't cut all the way through. Use your thumbs to push the centre of the bagel outwards, creating space for the cheese. Place two Cheesestrings in the centre of the bagel, and then put the top slice back on. Repeat this process for each bagel.

Next, make the garlic butter by combining melted butter with finely diced garlic and fresh parsley. Brush the garlic butter on top of the bagels, on the sides, and in the middle.

Finally, bake the bagels in the oven at 180C/350F for 10-15 minutes, or until they are golden and crispy, and the cheese in the middle is completely melted. You can lift the top slice slightly to check.

Serving Suggestions

These cheese-stuffed bagels are perfect for lunch and make a great substitute for garlic bread. They also go well with tomato soup. If you want to add extra ingredients, you can try adding pepperoni, ham, or shrimp.

Variations

There are many variations of cheese-stuffed bagels that you can try. Here are some ideas:

• Cream Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bagels: Follow the recipe above, but use cream cheese instead of Cheesestrings. You can also add sweetened condensed milk, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt to the cream cheese for a tangy, salty, and sweet filling.
• Bacon Cream Cheese Stuffed Bagels: Follow the recipe above, but add bacon and cream cheese to the centre of the bagel with the Cheesestrings.
• Breakfast Quiche Stuffed Bagels: Try adding some quiche filling to the centre of the bagel, such as eggs, cheese, and vegetables.

Get creative and experiment with different cheeses, herbs, and fillings to find your favourite combination!

Flavoured cream cheese

If you're looking for something sweet, you can add brown sugar and cinnamon to your cream cheese. Or, for something more savoury, try adding in herbs like thyme, chives, or Italian seasoning.

Savoury bagels

Cream Cheese Bagels

A classic cream cheese bagel is a great starting point for a savoury snack. You can add a number of toppings to this combination to make it more savoury, such as:

• Lox, onion and chive cream cheese, thinly sliced tomato, and thinly sliced red onions or pickled onions
• Smoked salmon, capers and whipped garlic and herb cream cheese
• Scallion cream cheese
• Flavoured cream cheese such as jalapeno-lime cream cheese
• Ham and garden vegetable cream cheese
• Cream cheese with sriracha
• Cream cheese with mustard, fried salami and provolone
• Cream cheese, smoked salmon, swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion

Cheese Bagels

If you're looking for a more intense cheesy experience, you can try adding cheese inside the bagel, or on top. Here are some ideas:

• Cheese-stuffed bagels with Cheesestrings inside, brushed with garlic butter
• Cheese bagels made with almond flour, shredded mozzarella and cheddar
• Bagels with melted raclette
• Everything bagel with provolone or colby-jack cheese
• Bagel chips with dill havarti

Keto bagels

Keto Bagel Recipe

This keto bagel recipe uses almond flour and yields chewy, thick bagels with only 5g net carbs per serving.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups almond flour (or 1/2 cup coconut flour for a lighter, fluffier texture)
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 oz cream cheese, cubed
• 2 large eggs
• Cooking spray (optional)
• Toppings of your choice (e.g. everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds)

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a food processor, combine the almond flour (or coconut flour) and baking powder until uniform. You can also mix them by hand in a bowl, but using a food processor will result in taller, fluffier bagels.
• Add the eggs to the food processor and process until uniform. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella and cubed cream cheese. Microwave for 2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until melted and well incorporated. You can also use a double boiler on the stove over low heat to melt the cheeses, stirring frequently.
• Transfer the cheese mixture into the food processor, positioning it so that the blade is in the cheese. Pulse until a uniform dough forms. You can also knead the dough by hand, but it will be very sticky, so you may need to chill the dough in the fridge or freezer first.
• Divide the dough into 6 equal portions and form each portion into a long log. Press the ends together to form a bagel shape and place on the prepared baking sheet.
• If desired, spray the bagels lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle on your chosen toppings.
• Bake the bagels for about 15 minutes, until they are firm and golden brown.
• Let the bagels cool for at least 15 minutes, or completely, for the best texture.

Keto-Friendly Cheeses and Toppings

Now that you have your keto bagels, it's time to talk about cheese! Here are some keto-approved cheeses and toppings to take your bagels to the next level:

• Cream Cheese: Spread some full-fat cream cheese on your bagel for a classic, tangy flavour.
• Mozzarella: Shredded mozzarella is a key ingredient in the bagel dough, but you can also use it as a topping. Try using smoked mozzarella for a unique twist.
• Provolone: This mild, slightly sweet cheese melts beautifully and pairs well with cream cheese.
• Colby-Jack: A combination of Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses, this variety offers a creamy texture and a mild, slightly sharp flavour.
• Cheesestring: For a fun and convenient option, try using Cheesestrings inside your bagel. They melt perfectly and have a great gooey, stringy texture.
• Lox (smoked salmon): For a classic bagel combination, top your bagel with lox, cream cheese, capers, and red onion.
• Vegetables: Add some crunch and freshness with sliced tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, or avocado.
• Herbs and Spices: Experiment with different herbs and spices like garlic powder, onion powder, poppy seeds, everything bagel seasoning, or cinnamon.
• Nuts and Dried Fruit: For a sweet option, try adding walnuts, cinnamon, or sugar-free dried cranberries to your bagel.

Sweet bagels

Fruit Bagels

Fresh fruit is a fun and tasty addition to a bagel, especially when paired with a spread that holds the fruit in place. Try cream cheese, tahini, apple butter, or homemade coconut jam. Some great fruit options include:

• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Apples
• Pomegranate
• Blackberries
• Avocado
• Tomatoes

Chocolate Bagels

Chocolate and bagels are a heavenly combination. Try spreading some Nutella on a toasted bagel, or melt some pure chocolate onto the bagel.

Honey Bagels

Honey is a classic sweet bagel topping and goes well with cream cheese. For a more indulgent treat, add some walnuts to the mix.

Cinnamon Sugar Bagels

Cinnamon and sugar are a perfect pairing for a sweet bagel. Sprinkle some cinnamon and sugar on a buttered or cream-cheesed bagel for a delicious treat.

Peanut Butter and Banana Bagels

This classic combination is a great option for a sweet bagel. Simply spread some peanut butter on a bagel, add banana slices, and sprinkle with cinnamon. For an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle with honey.

Frequently asked questions