Hearty Breakfast: Bacon, Egg, Cheese Bagels With A Twist

A bacon, egg, and cheese bagel is a delicious and classic breakfast option. While it is a popular choice, there are many ways to elevate this dish and make it your own. For instance, you could add avocado, salad greens, or even a slice of lettuce to your bagel. If you're feeling adventurous, you could also experiment with different types of cheese, such as cheddar or American cheese, or add sauces like garlic aioli or a flavoured cream cheese.

What type of bagel is best?

When it comes to choosing the best type of bagel to accompany bacon, egg, and cheese, there are several options to consider. Here are some factors to keep in mind when making your decision:

Flavour

The bagel flavour you choose can enhance the overall taste of your breakfast sandwich. While plain bagels are a popular choice, other flavours like everything bagels, sesame bagels, garlic bagels, and poppy seed bagels can add a boost of flavour to your meal. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even try a sweet and savoury combination like a cinnamon raisin bagel.

Freshness

Fresh bagels can make a significant difference in the taste and texture of your sandwich. If possible, opt for freshly baked bagels from a local bakery or bagel shop. If you're buying from a grocery store, choose bagels that are soft and have a chewy texture. Avoid bagels that feel hard or stale.

Texture

The texture of the bagel is another important consideration. You'll want a bagel that is slightly chewy and has a soft interior. This texture will provide a pleasant contrast to the crispiness of the bacon and the creaminess of the cheese. If you prefer a denser or lighter texture, you can also explore options like pumpernickel or thin, skinny bagels.

Size

The size of the bagel can be a factor, especially if you plan to pile on the fillings. A larger bagel will give you more room to accommodate all the ingredients without it becoming too messy. On the other hand, a smaller bagel might be preferable if you're watching your portion sizes or want a lighter breakfast.

Dietary Preferences

If you have specific dietary preferences or restrictions, there are bagel options available. For example, whole wheat bagels offer a healthier alternative to plain white flour bagels. You can also find bagels made with alternative ingredients like cheddar jalapeno or egg bagels. Additionally, vegetarian bacon substitutes can be used if needed.

In conclusion, the best type of bagel for a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich depends on your personal preferences. Experiment with different flavours, textures, and sizes to find the one that suits your taste buds and dietary needs. Don't be afraid to explore the wide variety of bagels available to create your ultimate breakfast sandwich!

What are the best cheeses to use?

When it comes to the cheese for your bacon, egg and cheese bagel, you can't go wrong with a classic: American cheese. It might not be the most exciting option, but its meltability is hard to beat. If you're looking for something with a little more flavour, however, you could try a slice of cheddar cheese, either on its own or with a slice of American cheese. This will give you the best of both worlds: meltiness and taste.

Other cheeses that will melt well include colby jack, pepper jack, and havarti. If you're looking for something a little different, you could try a smear of cream cheese, either plain or flavoured. Some options for flavoured cream cheese include green onion, bacon, or everything bagel seed.

What's a good sauce to add?

A bacon, egg, and cheese bagel is a versatile breakfast option that can be customised with a variety of sauces to elevate the dish. Here are some ideas for sauces that can complement the flavours of the bagel sandwich:

Hollandaise Sauce

A rich and creamy hollandaise sauce is a classic choice for breakfast dishes. It has a tangy and savoury taste that pairs well with the other ingredients in the bagel. Hollandaise sauce is made with butter, egg yolks, and lemon juice, creating a smooth and luscious texture.

Creamy Sriracha Sauce

For those who enjoy a spicy kick, a creamy sriracha sauce is an excellent option. This sauce is a blend of mayonnaise, smoked paprika, and sriracha hot sauce, resulting in a creamy texture with a subtle heat. It adds a bright and slightly spicy dimension to the bagel sandwich.

Garlic Aioli

Garlic aioli is a flavourful sauce that can enhance the overall taste of the bagel sandwich. It is a garlic-infused mayonnaise with a creamy texture and a sharp garlic punch. The aioli adds a tangy and savoury note to the dish.

Flavoured Cream Cheese

Cream cheese itself is a popular spread for bagels, but flavoured varieties can take the sandwich to the next level. Options like green onion cream cheese, bacon cream cheese, or everything bagel seed cream cheese can add a creamy tang and a boost of flavour.

McDonald's Breakfast Sauce

Although McDonald's no longer offers their breakfast bagel, their breakfast sauce has gained a cult following. This sauce is a combination of mayonnaise, yellow mustard, steak sauce, dried dill weed, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. It has a creamy, tangy, and savoury profile that complements the bagel's ingredients.

Ketchup, Pesto, or Guacamole

For simpler options, ketchup, pesto, or guacamole can be great additions to the bagel sandwich. Ketchup adds a tangy sweetness, pesto contributes a fresh herb flavour, and guacamole brings a creamy avocado taste with a hint of spice.

These sauce suggestions offer a range of flavours and textures to accompany the bacon, egg, and cheese bagel, allowing you to customise your breakfast experience to your taste preferences.

What sides go well with the sandwich?

There are several sides that can accompany a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel sandwich. Here are some ideas:

Coffee

A cup of coffee is a classic pairing with a hearty breakfast sandwich. Whether it's a latte, cappuccino, espresso tonic, lavender latte, or a dirty chai, coffee can help round out the flavours of the sandwich and provide a boost of energy to start the day.

Hash Browns

Air Fryer Hash Browns can add a crispy, savoury element to the meal, providing a textural contrast to the soft, chewy bagel.

Greek Yogurt Parfait

For a lighter, healthier option, a Greek Yogurt Parfait can be a refreshing choice. It adds a touch of sweetness and creaminess to balance the savoury flavours of the sandwich.

Fresh Fruit

Fresh fruit, such as sliced heirloom tomatoes, can be a refreshing and nutritious side to accompany the rich flavours of the sandwich.

Avocado

Avocado is a delicious and healthy addition to a breakfast spread. It can be served as a simple avocado smash on toast or as a side dish with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Avocado helps to balance the flavours of the sandwich and provides healthy fats to keep you feeling satisfied.

Potatoes

Breakfast potatoes are a hearty and filling option to accompany the sandwich. Cheesy French Onion Crockpot Potatoes or Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes can be a tasty and crispy side dish.

Breakfast Meats

Additional breakfast meats, such as bacon or sausage, can be offered on the side. This is a great option for those who want an extra savoury protein boost to their meal.

What are some good vegetarian options?

If you're looking for some vegetarian options for a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel, there are several tasty alternatives you can try. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Vegetarian Bacon Options

If you're looking for a vegetarian bacon substitute, you can find vegetarian bacon in most grocery stores and supermarkets. These can be used as a direct replacement for bacon in your bagel sandwich. Alternatively, you can opt for other vegetarian-friendly alternatives such as sliced ham, deli meats, leftover roast beef or turkey slices, or even a sausage patty.

Egg Alternatives

While eggs are a key component of the classic bacon, egg, and cheese bagel, there are some vegetarian-friendly substitutes you can consider. You could try using a plant-based egg alternative such as Just Egg, which can be cooked in a similar way to regular eggs. If you're feeling creative, you could also experiment with other egg substitutes like scrambled tofu or a vegetable-based frittata.

Cheese Choices

When it comes to cheese, there are plenty of vegetarian options available. In addition to the classic American or cheddar cheese slices, you can explore other varieties such as Swiss cheese, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack. If you're looking for a more indulgent option, consider using a creamy cheese spread like Boursin or a flavored cream cheese such as chive and onion.

Additional Toppings

To add some extra flavor and texture to your vegetarian bagel sandwich, consider incorporating some fresh toppings. Sliced avocado, heirloom tomato slices, thinly sliced red onions, arugula, spinach, or fresh herbs can all make delicious additions to your sandwich. You can also experiment with different sauces like garlic aioli, pesto, or a spicy chili sauce.

Vegetarian Sides

If you're looking for a side dish to accompany your vegetarian bagel, there are several options to choose from. You could try Air Fryer Hash Browns, a Greek Yogurt Parfait, or a refreshing fruit salad. If you're serving a larger group, consider setting up a bagel board with various toppings and spreads, allowing everyone to customize their own bagels.

Frequently asked questions