We all know that bagels are delicious, but we often wonder how to keep bagels fresh. And this is something that you can easily do, and here we explain everything about bagels.
Do you like bagels as much as we do?
Bagels are a unique bread product. They are chewy, tasty, and dense.
But, once you have bought a full paper bag of delicious bagels in your favorite bagel shop, how do you keep them for a long time? Are they kept in the fridge or freezer?
Or do you have to consume bagels immediately after purchasing to get the freshness that makes bagels so good?
Here we tell you everything you need to know about bagels!
What is a bagel
Bagels are a type of bread, usually circular with a hole in the center, which gives it a distinctive ring shape.
The bagels are boiled and then baked for a perfect crispy golden crust and a chewy interior.
In North America, bagels often have toppings such as sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or salt.
There are many varieties of bagels, such as whole grain, cinnamon, and raisin or chocolate.
The best known bagels are New York’s bagels, Montreal bagels and St. Louis bagels.
What is the origin of the bagel?
The bagel originated in Poland from a leavened wheat dough rolled into a round shape and boiled before baking to give it its characteristic chewy texture.
Later it was introduced in other European countries, such as England or Germany, where bagels are also consumed.
How the bagel arrived in the United States
Like many other foods brought by immigrants from lands across the Atlantic or Pacific oceans, bagels arrived in America with Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe who began migrating en masse in the early 1900s.
The first bagels were prepared by hand, and by 1960 the automated production of frozen bagels began.
Automatization led to the mass production, marketing, and distribution of bagels in the United States.
These days, you can find frozen bagels in many supermarkets.
What are the main ingredients of the bagel?
A bagel is a bread product made with wheat flour, yeast, salt, and water.
The ingredient list may vary depending on where it is purchased or who prepared it. For example, some manufacturers add sugar, eggs, and oil to the mix.
It is usually round in shape and can be topped with seeds before baking or with walnuts, cinnamon, and raisins added.
Bagels are generally cooked in boiling water for 1 minute per side to make them crisp on the outside but chewy when eaten.
How to keep bagels fresh
Storing bagels can be tricky if you don’t use the proper storage, as you don’t want to eat dry and stale bagels.
If you plan to have the bagel in a couple of days, here is what you can do:
- Put the bagels in a plastic bag and leave them at room temperature.
- Make sure they are away from heat, moisture, and light to maintain freshness.
If you think that it may take more than two days to consume them, it is best to freeze them.
The best way to freeze bagels:
- Ideally, it would be best if you freeze fresh bagels recently purchased. If you freeze a stale bagel, you will take out a stale bagel from the freezer. And that’s not something you want to do. You want to eat good bagels!
- Take the opportunity to cut bagels with a sharp knife on a cutting board before freezing. Cutting the bagels will make it easier for you to place sliced bagels directly from the freezer to the toaster.
- Place them in an airtight bag or container or resealable plastic bag.
- Suppose you’re freezing multiple bagels in an airtight container. In that case, you can wrap each one individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, and put wrapped bagels on container
- The best way to prevent freezer burn is to keep your bagels perfectly packaged.
Can you freeze bagels?
Yes, bagels can be frozen. You can undoubtedly freeze a bagel, and it will retain its flavor and texture.
Storing frozen bagels in the freezer is a good idea and helps extend their shelf life for a longer time.
How to thaw bagels?
The good news about a frozen bagel is that you don’t have to thaw it!
You have to take it out of the freezer and place it directly in the toaster.
You can also heat it in the oven.
You can drizzle a little water on the frozen bagel using a spray bottle.
Then bake at 350 degrees fahrenheit for about 10 minutes, until crisp on the outside and hot on the inside.
You can warm the whole bagel in the microwave oven or toaster oven.
FAQs about how to keep bagels fresh
Can I refreeze a bagel that I have thawed?
A bagel should not be refrozen if it has already thawed.
The freezing process changes the quality of the bagel, making it even more susceptible to common mold and bacterial spoilage.
How long do bagels last in the freezer?
Once frozen, bagels can last 3-4 months
What can you make with the bagel?
Bagels are a favorite warm breakfast for many people.
Some people choose to eat a warm bagel alone, while others prefer to spread cream cheese or peanut butter and jelly on their bagel before eating it.
However, there are many other ways to enjoy a bagel!
It is common practice to cut the bagel and toast it.
Once your bagel is toasted, you can use it as a base for a delicious sandwich.
You can prepare it with tuna salad, melted cheese, or combine ham, turkey, and cheese.
With these easy tricks, now you can enjoy your bagels at all times and as freshly baked.
Want to learn more about keeping your favorite foods fresh?
- How to freeze soup: The step by step guide
- How to freeze avocados: Everything you need to know
- How to freeze strawberries to keep them fresh longer
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