Bagels are a great food to eat at home or on the go, and storing them frozen is a smart way to keep them fresh for longer.When you are ready to eat a bagel, take one out of the freezer and let it thaw out for a few hours before baking it in the oven.If you don't have time to do that, pop a frozen bagel straight into the toaster or use the microwave to heat it up before adding your favorite topping.
Step 1: The bagel should be kept at room temperature for a few hours.
If the bagel was individually wrapped, leave it in its wrap while it thaws.Wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil when you take it out of the freezer to keep it moist while it thaws.If you want to eat a bagel first thing in the morning, you can let the bagel thaw overnight.
Step 2: 10 minutes before you are ready to eat, preheat your oven to 400 F.
Once your bagel is cooked, put it in the oven and set the temperature.The oven should be fully preheated by 10 minutes.If you prefer a less-crispy exterior, set the oven to 400 F.To bake an extra-crispy bagel, set the oven to 400 F.
Step 3: The bagel should be sprinkled with water.
Put the water on the sides of the bagel by rubbing the tips of your fingers.If you repeat a few times, each side will be even.The steam created in the oven will give your bagel a crispier crust.If water gets onto the inside of the bagel, it won't hurt anything.
Step 4: If the bagel is not already sliced, cut it in half.
You can use a mechanical slicer to slice the bagel.Place the bagel on the countertop and cut through the middle with a knife.Push the blade's handle down if you're using a slicer.When slicing the bagel, be careful that you don't cut your hand.
Step 5: Place the bagel on the baking sheet.
The inside of the bagel should be facing up so that the heat from the oven will cook it more evenly.If you keep the bagel against the baking sheet, it will get crispier.If you prefer, you can bake bagels whole.The bagel will not get fried or blackened in the interior.
Step 6: The bagel can be baked in the oven.
The bagel should be checked after 10 minutes to see if it is done.If there is no color on the top, cook it for an additional 5 minutes.You can cook it for longer if you prefer a toastier bagel.If you bake an unsliced bagel, you can bake it on the outside and heat it all the way through.
Step 7: Let the bagel cool down after removing the baking sheet.
Place the baking sheet on a protected surface and use oven mitts to remove it.Give the bagel 3-4 minutes to cool off before you pick it up.When you are done with the oven, turn it off.
Step 8: Take a bagel out of the freezer.
Pull one out of the freezer and discard the wrapper if you wrapped the bagel individually.If it was frozen along with other bagels, open the container, take one out, and seal it before putting the rest of the bagels back into the freezer.If you can't bake a bagel, toasting is the next best thing.It will crisp up the exterior and leave the interior in good shape.
Step 9: The bagel should be set to the desired level of doneness.
You can use bagel-specific settings on some toasts.You can toast a bagel more, but you can't make it less toast.When choosing what setting to use, use your best judgment.Since the bagel is thicker than sliced bread, it should be higher than what you would use for toast.
Step 10: You can use your favorite bagel topping to make a satisfying meal or snack.
Remove the bagel from the toast and place it on a plate.It will be very hot, so be careful with your fingers.Cream cheese, peanut butter, Egg smoked salmon and Pizza sauce are some of the great bagel topping options.
Step 11: Take a bagel out of the freezer.
Take the bagel out of its wrap and throw it away.If it was stored in bulk with other bagels, take it out and rewrap the rest of the bagels before putting them in the freezer.It's a good idea to microwave a bagel to quickly heat it up.It won't produce a crisp exterior, though.The bagel can be baked in the oven or on a toast.
Step 12: Warm water should be put on the bagel.
Adding water to the bagel will keep it from drying out in the microwave.Keep the bagel whole if it is pre-sliced.Put your fingers in the warm water and flick it over the bagel.You could use a moistened paper towel to wrap the bagel.While the bagel is in the microwave, put the paper towel in place.
Step 13: The bagel should be placed in a microwave-safe dish.
Put the bagel halves on a plate.If you don't use a plate or dish, place it on top of a paper towel in the microwave to keep it from sticking to the surface.You can either slice the bagel before you microwave it or wait until after.
Step 14: The bagel can be microwaved in 20-second intervals.
It takes about 1 minute and 15 seconds to cook through a microwave, but it can take up to 2 minutes.If the bagel still feels cold or hard, you should poke the doughy section with your finger.The plate may be hot to the touch when taken out of the microwave.
Step 15: Bagels should be sliced before being frozen so they can be eaten at any time.
A mechanical slicer or a serrated bread knife can be used to separate bagels.
Step 16: Bagels can be wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
It's a sure way to ruin the flavor of the bagels if you wrap them individually before freezing them.To cover the entire bagel, use enough material.The bagels are frozen.If you froze them all together, they wouldn't retain as much moisture as if they were wrapped.
Step 17: Place bagels in a bag.
You can store bagels in the same bag once they are wrapped individually.Make sure the bag you use is made for use in the freezer.If there are too many bagels, separate them into 2 or 3 packages.
Step 18: For the best bagels, store them in the freezer for 3-6 months.
The bagels should be used within the first week of freezing.If you want to store them for longer, go for it!You can store bagels in this way.To remember how long they have been in storage, label the bag with the frozen on date.bagels that are discolored or freezer burn should be discarded.The bagel is safe to eat if it has been frozen properly, but it won't taste as good as it used to.