Bushra Griffith
Bagels and cheese are a match made in heaven, but what's the best way to prepare them? There are a few different methods, including baking, grilling, and frying. Frying your bagel and cheese on a low heat in a pan is a popular option, as it ensures the bagel doesn't burn before the cheese melts. You can also bake your bagel and cheese in the oven, but this may require some trial and error to get the temperature just right so that the bagel doesn't dry out. For a simple, classic option, try spreading cream cheese on your bagel and topping it with cheddar for a punch of flavour. If you're feeling adventurous, try stuffing your bagel with Cheesestrings and brushing it with garlic butter before baking it in the oven.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Bagel | Plain, sesame, onion, sweet, everything bagel |
| Type of Cheese | Cream cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, goat cheese, Kerrygold’s sweet nutty cheese, cheesestring, American cheese |
| Other Ingredients | Butter, garlic, parsley, avocado, fried egg, ham, bacon, sriracha sauce |
| Cooking Method | Bake, grill, fry, broil |
| Cooking Time | 4-15 minutes |
| Cooking Temperature | 180C/350F |
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What You'll Learn
Fried egg, ham, and two types of cheese
A fried egg, ham, and double-cheese bagel is a delicious and hearty breakfast option. It is a quick and easy meal to make, and you can adapt it to your taste preferences.
First, slice your bagel in half. Some recipes recommend using plain bagels, as seeds or grains may burn during cooking. Toast the bagel halves in a toaster, air fryer, toaster oven, or regular oven until they are golden brown.
While the bagel is toasting, cook your egg. You can fry it to your preferred level of doneness—runny, scrambled, or crispy. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the egg to taste.
Next, add cheese to one half of the bagel. A slice of cheddar is a good option, as it adds a punch of flavor and melts well. You can also add a slice of American cheese for a gooier texture. Place the bagel halves back under the broiler or in the toaster until the cheese begins to melt.
Finally, assemble your sandwich. Place the fried egg on top of the cheese. Add a slice of ham to the other half of the bagel, folding it to cover the surface. You can warm the ham in a skillet or in the oven before assembling the sandwich. Put the two halves together, and your breakfast bagel sandwich is ready to serve.
You can also add extra ingredients to customize your sandwich. Some options include avocado, creamy sriracha sauce, or garlic butter.
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Cream cheese and cheddar
A bagel with cream cheese and cheddar is a versatile dish that can be customised in numerous ways to suit your taste preferences. Here are some ideas for what to put on your bagel:
Savoury Options:
- Lox, sliced red onion, dill, and capers. Capers add a unique texture and a burst of tangy, briny flavour that complements the cream cheese and cheddar.
- Tomatoes: Try sliced fresh tomatoes with a sprinkle of salt, or get creative with pickled or sliced red onions.
- Chicken salad with sprouts, dried cranberries, and nuts. The sweetness of the cranberries and the crunch of the nuts add an interesting texture and flavour contrast.
- Avocado: Avocados add a layer of smoothness and a unique, subtle flavour that won't overwhelm the cream cheese and cheddar. Top it off with everything bagel seasoning, which typically includes sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt.
- Smoked salmon: This classic combination is a popular choice for breakfast or brunch. The smoky flavour and texture of the salmon go well with the cream cheese and cheddar, and you can add capers for an extra tangy bite.
- Bacon: Crispy bacon slices add a savoury, salty element to your bagel.
- Jalapenos: For a spicy kick, add some sliced pickled jalapenos. If you're feeling adventurous, try a cream cheese blend with jalapenos already mixed in.
Sweet Options:
- Blueberry jam: This classic sweet spread pairs well with the cream cheese and cheddar, especially on a blueberry bagel.
- Honey: Drizzle some honey on top of your bagel for a touch of sweetness.
Feel free to mix and match these suggestions to create your own unique bagel combination!
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Cheesestring
To make a bagel melt with Cheesestrings, start by slicing the bagel about two-thirds of the way up and setting the top slice aside. Use a knife to carefully hollow out the centre of the bottom slice, making sure not to cut all the way through. This step ensures that there is enough space for the cheese and helps prevent it from spilling out. Next, bend two Cheesestrings and place them in the centre of the bagel. Put the top slice back on and place the bagel on a baking tray.
In a small pot, combine melted butter with garlic and parsley to make a garlic butter spread. Brush the garlic butter on top of the bagel, on the sides, and in the middle. Bake the bagel in the oven at 180°C/350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until the bagel is deep golden and crispy, and the cheese is completely melted. You can lift the top slice slightly to check if the cheese is melted to your liking.
This Cheesestring bagel melt is a delicious and easy-to-make option for breakfast, lunch, or even a weeknight dinner. You can also experiment with adding other ingredients, such as bacon, ham, or vegetables, to create different flavour combinations.
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Garlic butter
Ingredients
- Your choice of bagel (plain, sesame seeded, everything bagel, or any other variety)
- Butter
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Cheese of your choice (cream cheese, Cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, or Cheesestring)
- Optional: Oregano, mayonnaise, milk, egg, onion salt, and Parmesan
Method
- Start by slicing your bagel about two-thirds of the way up, being careful not to cut all the way through. You can also slice the bagel into 6-7 pieces, creating pockets for the filling.
- If you plan to fill your bagel with cream cheese, prepare the filling by mixing softened cream cheese with granulated sugar, sweetened condensed milk, and a pinch of salt to taste. You can adjust the amount of sugar and condensed milk to suit your taste.
- Fill the bagel with the cream cheese mixture. You can use a piping bag or a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off for a neater filling experience.
- Now, it's time to make the garlic butter. In a small pot or bowl, combine melted butter with finely diced or minced garlic, chopped parsley, and any optional ingredients you choose. Mix well to create a savoury garlic butter sauce.
- Dunk the bagel into the garlic butter sauce, making sure to coat it evenly. You can also use a brush to generously apply the garlic butter to the bagel.
- Place the bagels on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. If you filled your bagels with cream cheese, sprinkle Parmesan over the bagels.
- Bake the bagels in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Enjoy your homemade garlic butter bagels! You can serve them as a side, dip them in tomato soup, or enjoy them as a delicious snack.
Feel free to customise your garlic butter bagels by adding more or less garlic, using different types of cheese, or experimenting with additional ingredients like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything bagel seasoning. Get creative and enjoy the perfect blend of garlic and cheese!
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Bacon or ham
A bagel with melted cheese and bacon or ham is a delicious meal option that can be enjoyed any time of the day. Here are some ways to make it:
Turkey Bacon Bagel Melts
For a tasty and customizable option, try turkey bacon bagel melts. Start by preheating your broiler to high. Place your toasted bagels cut-side up on a baking sheet. In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise and mustard to create a spread. Spread this mixture evenly onto the bagel halves. Add a slice of gouda cheese to each bagel, followed by two slices of turkey bacon. Top the bacon with tomato slices, seasoning them with salt and pepper. Finally, sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over the bagels and place them under the broiler. Cook for about 2 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and garnish with avocado slices.
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Bagel
If you're feeling adventurous, try a bagel sandwich with bacon, egg, and cheese. Start by toasting your bagel to your desired level of doneness. In a large non-stick skillet, melt some butter over medium-high heat. Once melted, add your eggs and sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper. After a few minutes, carefully flip the eggs and add a slice of American cheese, followed by a slice of cheddar cheese. Stack the eggs on top of each other and add a few slices of crispy bacon. Close the sandwich and serve.
Ham Option:
For a classic combination, try a baked ham and cheese bagel sandwich. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Combine Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, mix melted butter with poppy seeds. Cut open your bagel and spread the mustard-mayo mixture on both insides. Add spinach leaves to one side, followed by Swiss cheese and deli ham slices. Close the sandwich and brush the top with the melted butter mixture. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Remove, let cool for a few minutes, and enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
Most types of melty cheese will work, including mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and gruyere. However, for the perfect gooey texture, Cheesestrings are recommended.
You can add meat such as ham or bacon, or fried eggs. For extra flavour, brush the bagel with garlic butter or stuff it with cream cheese.
You can cook your bagel in a frying pan or skillet over medium-low heat, or bake it in the oven. If frying, use a lid to help the cheese melt. If baking, broiling will help to melt the cheese without crisping or drying out the bagel.
If baking, cook your bagel and cheese at 180C/350F for 10-15 minutes, or until the bagel is golden and the cheese is melted. If broiling, start with 5 minutes, checking at 3 to ensure the bagel doesn't burn.
Slice your bagel in half and stuff it with cheese. If you're frying, butter the outside of the bagel and place it butter-side down in the pan. If you're baking, brush the bagel with melted butter.
