Creamy Bacon Cheddar Bagels: A Delicious Breakfast Recipe
Looking for a satisfying breakfast that combines crispy bacon, melted cheese, and soft bagels? These creamy bacon cheddar bagels are the perfect way to start your morning. This recipe brings together simple ingredients to create a restaurant-quality meal right in your kitchen.
Whether you’re cooking for your family on a busy weekday or preparing a special weekend brunch, these loaded bagels will become your new favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Bagels
- 4 plain or everything bagels
- 8 strips of thick-cut bacon
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Fresh chives
- Sliced tomatoes
- Red pepper flakes
- Additional shredded cheese
Kitchen Equipment Required
Before starting, make sure you have these basic tools:
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Mixing bowl
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Baking sheet
- Aluminum foil
- Spatula
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Bacon
Start by cooking your bacon strips until they reach your desired level of crispiness. Place the bacon in a cold skillet, then turn the heat to medium. This method helps render the fat slowly and creates perfectly crispy bacon without burning.
Cook the bacon for about 4-5 minutes on each side, flipping occasionally. The strips should turn golden brown and crispy.
Once done, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. After cooling slightly, chop the bacon into small pieces.
Making the Creamy Cheese Spread
While the bacon cools, prepare your cheese mixture. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, butter, and sour cream. Mix these ingredients together until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
Add the shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, and garlic powder to the bowl. Season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Stir everything together until well combined. The mixture should be spreadable but thick enough to hold its shape.
Fold in about three-quarters of the chopped bacon pieces, saving the rest for topping later.
Toasting the Bagels
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice each bagel in half horizontally using a sharp serrated knife. Place the bagel halves on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, cut side up.
Toast the bagels in the oven for about 5 minutes until they become slightly golden and crispy on the edges. This step prevents the bagels from getting soggy when you add the creamy topping.
Assembling Your Bagels
Remove the toasted bagels from the oven and turn on your broiler to high heat. Generously spread the creamy bacon cheddar mixture on each bagel half. Make sure to spread it all the way to the edges for maximum flavor in every bite.
Sprinkle the remaining chopped bacon pieces on top of the cheese spread. Add a little extra shredded cheddar cheese if you want an even cheesier result.
Final Broiling
Place the assembled bagels back under the broiler for 2-3 minutes. Watch them carefully during this step, as they can burn quickly. The cheese should melt and bubble, and the edges might get slightly browned.
Remove from the oven when the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let the bagels cool for about 2 minutes before serving. This cooling time allows the cheese to set slightly, making them easier to eat.
Serving Suggestions
These breakfast bagels are delicious on their own, but you can pair them with several sides:
- Fresh fruit salad
- Hash browns or home fries
- Scrambled eggs
- Mixed green salad
- Tomato soup
- Coffee or fresh orange juice
For a complete brunch spread, serve these bagels alongside other breakfast favorites. The rich, savory flavors pair well with lighter, fresher options that balance the meal.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover creamy cheese spread, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The spread can be used on other bagels, crackers, or as a dip for vegetables.
Assembled bagels are best eaten fresh, but you can store them wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, place the bagels on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes. You can also use a toaster oven for smaller portions. Avoid microwaving, as this can make the bagels chewy and tough.
Customization Ideas
Different Cheese Options
While sharp cheddar provides excellent flavor, you can experiment with other cheese varieties:
- Pepper jack for a spicy kick
- Swiss cheese for a milder taste
- Gouda for a smoky flavor
- Monterey Jack for extra creaminess
Bagel Varieties
Try different bagel types to change up the flavor profile:
- Everything bagels add extra seasoning
- Sesame seed bagels provide nutty notes
- Whole wheat bagels offer more fiber
- Asiago cheese bagels double the cheese flavor
Vegetarian Version
Skip the bacon and add sautéed mushrooms, roasted red peppers, or caramelized onions instead. These vegetables provide satisfying umami flavors without meat.
FAQs
Can I make these bagels ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the creamy cheese spread up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake the bagels fresh when you’re ready to eat them for the best texture and flavor.
What type of bacon works best?
Thick-cut bacon provides the best texture and flavor for this recipe. Regular bacon works too, but thick-cut stays crispier and adds more substantial bacon pieces to your bagels.
Can I freeze these bagels?
It’s better to freeze the cheese spread separately rather than assembled bagels. Thaw the spread overnight in the refrigerator, then assemble fresh bagels when needed.
How do I prevent soggy bagels?
Always toast your bagels before adding the spread. This creates a barrier that keeps moisture from soaking into the bread. Also, make sure your bacon is well-drained before adding it to the mixture.
Can I use pre-cooked bacon?
Yes, pre-cooked bacon saves time and still tastes great in this recipe. Just warm it slightly and chop it into pieces before mixing it into the cheese spread.
What’s the best way to soften cream cheese quickly?
Cut the cream cheese into small cubes and let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. You can also microwave it in 10-second intervals, stirring between each interval until softened.
Can I make a larger batch for a party?
Absolutely! This recipe scales up easily. Simply multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need. Prepare the spread in advance and assemble the bagels just before your guests arrive.
Creamy Bacon Cheddar Bagels
Crispy bacon, melty cheddar, and a creamy, savory spread piled onto toasted bagels and finished under the broiler. These loaded breakfast bagels are easy, satisfying, and perfect for busy mornings or a weekend brunch.
Ingredients
Bagels and Topping:
- 4 plain or everything bagels
- 8 strips thick-cut bacon
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Fresh chives
- Sliced tomatoes
- Red pepper flakes
- Additional shredded cheese
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: Place bacon in a cold skillet and set heat to medium. Cook 4–5 minutes per side, flipping as needed, until golden and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cool, chop into small pieces.
- Make the creamy spread: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, butter, and sour cream; mix until smooth. Stir in shredded cheddar, green onions, and garlic powder. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Add bacon to spread: Fold in about three-quarters of the chopped bacon, reserving the rest for topping.
- Prep and toast bagels: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice bagels in half and place cut-side up on a foil-lined baking sheet. Toast for about 5 minutes, until lightly golden on the edges.
- Assemble: Switch oven to High broil. Generously spread the creamy bacon cheddar mixture over each toasted bagel half, spreading to the edges. Top with the reserved chopped bacon and extra cheddar if desired.
- Broil: Broil 2-3 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and lightly browned at the edges.
- Rest and serve: Remove from the oven and let cool 2 minutes to set. Garnish with chives, tomatoes, or red pepper flakes if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Serving suggestions: Pair with fresh fruit, hash browns, scrambled eggs, a green salad, or tomato soup. Coffee or fresh orange juice complements well.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the cheese spread up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate. Assemble and broil just before serving.
- Prevent sogginess: Always pre-toast the bagels and drain bacon well before mixing.
- Variations: Try pepper jack, Swiss, Gouda, or Monterey Jack. Use everything, sesame, whole wheat, or Asiago bagels. For a vegetarian version, skip bacon and add sautéed mushrooms, roasted red peppers, or caramelized onions.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 841Total Fat: 50gSaturated Fat: 26gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 139mgSodium: 1546mgCarbohydrates: 62gFiber: 3gSugar: 12gProtein: 37g
The nutrition information provided is an estimate calculated using an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. Exact values may vary depending on ingredient brands, measurements, preparation methods, and portion sizes. For the most accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or use your own preferred nutrition calculator.
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