You’ve waited all week for this moment. You finally have time to sit down and enjoy a delicious bagel with your favorite cream cheese. But as you reach for the bagel in the freezer, you realize that it’s frozen solid.
You don’t want to wait for the oven to preheat, so you start thinking about other ways to speed up the process. As you consider your options, you start to wonder if it is possible to toast a bagel in the microwave. And if so what are the right steps to take?
That’s what we’ll find out in this article. By the time you’re finished reading, you’ll know everything you need to about microwaving bagels.
Can You Toast a Bagel in the Microwave?
You can microwave a bagel to make it soft and warm, but you cannot toast it in the microwave. The bagel will not develop the same crispy outer crust that you would get from toasting it in the oven or using a toaster.
When you toast something, you’re using dry heat to change the properties of the food. This causes the outside of the food to become crusty or crunchy, while the inside stays soft and moist.
The microwave uses moist heat, which means that it can only warm food. It cannot change the properties of the food the way that toasting does.
If you’re looking for a way to quickly warm up a bagel, then microwaving it is a perfectly acceptable option. But if you’re looking for that perfect toasted bagel, then you’ll need to use one of the other methods.
Is It Safe to Microwave a Bagel?
The answer to this question is a resounding yes! It is perfectly safe to microwave a bagel. Here are some tips to help you avoid the most common mistakes people make when microwaving bagels.
1. Use a Microwave-Safe Plate
One of the most important things to remember when microwaving any food is to use a microwave-safe plate. If you don’t have a microwave-safe plate, then your bagel could end up being tainted with harmful chemicals.
2. Use a Paper towel
Another mistake people make is not using a paper towel or napkin when microwaving their bagels. The paper towel or napkin will help absorb any moisture that might escape from the bagel.
3. Microwave The Bagel for a Short Time
Remember not to overcook your bagel. Just as other starchy foods can become hard and rubbery when overcooked, so can bagels. The best way to avoid this is to start with a lower cook time and then increase it in small increments until the bagel is warmed to your liking.
4. Slice The Bagel in Half
Slicing the bagel in half before microwaving it will help it cook quicker and more evenly. This is especially a must if you’re microwaving frozen bagels.
5. Add a Few Drops of Water
If you have a stale bagel that you’re trying to revive, then you can add a few drops of water to the bagel before microwaving it. This will help rehydrate the bagel and make it softer.
How Long Does It Take to Microwave a Bagel?
The cook time for microwaving a bagel will depend on a few different factors. The size and thickness of the bagel, as well as how frozen it is, will all play a role in determining the cooking time.
As a general rule of thumb, it will take about 10-20 seconds to microwave a room-temperature bagel and refrigerated bagel. Frozen bagels will take a bit longer, about 30-45 seconds. This cooking time is for a 900-watt microwave.
If your microwave is a different wattage, then you’ll need to increase or decrease the cooking time accordingly.
How to Microwave a Bagel
Now that you know all there is to know about microwaving bagels, it’s time to learn how to do it. In this section, I’ll cover three different methods for microwaving bagels.
Method 1: Slice the Bagel in Half
The first method is to slice the bagel in half before microwaving it. This helps the bagel cook quicker and more evenly.
- Slice the bagel in half using a sharp knife.
- Place the bagel halves on a microwave-safe plate, and cut the side up.
- You can opt to add butter, cream cheese, or any other toppings at this point.
- Microwave the bagels on high for 10 seconds.
- Check the bagels to see if they’re warmed to your liking. If not, microwave them in 5-second increments until they are.
- Let the bagels cool for 30 seconds before eating.
Method 2: Wrap the Bagel in a Paper towel
The second method is to wrap the bagel in a paper towel or napkin before microwaving it. This helps absorb any moisture that might escape from the bagel.
- Wrap the bagel in a paper towel.
- Place it on a microwave-safe plate.
- Microwave the bagel on high for 20 seconds.
- Check the bagel to see if it’s warmed to your liking. If not, microwave it in 10-second increments until it is.
- Let the bagel cool for 30 seconds before adding any toppings or eating.
Method 3: Put the Bagel in a Microwave-Safe Plastic Bag
The third method is to heat a frozen bagel straight from the freezer. With this method, you don’t need to wait for the bagel to thaw out first.
- Place the frozen bagel in a microwave-safe plastic bag.
- Seal the bag, and make sure there’s no air in it.
- Microwave the bagel on medium for 30 seconds.
- Check the bagel to see if it’s warmed to your liking. If not, microwave it in 15-second increments until it is.
- Let the bagel cool for 30 seconds before adding any toppings or eating.
Using a Crisper Pan to Crisp Up Your Bagel
If you want your bagel to have a crispy crust, then you can use a crisper pan. A crisper pan is a special pan with a special surface that helps crisp up food. I’ve tried this method, and although it doesn’t give you the same results as toasting the bagel, it’s a close second.
- Preheat the crisper pan according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Place the bagel on the crisper pan and cook it for 10 seconds.
- Flip the bagel over and cook it for an additional 10 seconds.
- Let the bagel cool for 30 seconds before adding any toppings or eating.
How to Store Microwave Bagels
If you have leftover bagels, the first thing you want to avoid is storing them in the refrigerator. This is the quickest way to make your bagels stale.
The best way to store bagels is to place them in a Ziploc bag or an airtight container at room temperature. Bagels will stay fresh for 2-3 days when stored this way.
You can also freeze bagels for up to 3 months. To freeze bagels, place them in a Ziploc bag and remove as much air as possible. Then, place the bag in the freezer.
When you’re ready to eat the bagels, you can use one of the methods listed above to reheat them.
How to Revive a Stale Bagel
If your bagel is starting to taste a little bit stale, don’t despair! There’s an easy way to revive it that only takes 30 seconds. Just pop your bagel in the microwave with a few drops of water and heat for 30 seconds. Your bagel will be softer and moister than it was before.
Of course, this method isn’t going to work miracles. If your bagel is already rock-hard, you’re better off just throwing it away. But if your bagel is only mildly stale, this quick and easy trick is worth trying.
What to Serve with a Bagel
Bagels are traditionally served with cream cheese, lox, and other toppings. But there are endless possibilities when it comes to what you can serve with a bagel. Here are a few of my favorite ideas:
1. Simple Tuna Salad
This dish is perfect for those who are looking for something light and healthy. All you need for this dish is some canned tuna, diced celery, diced onion, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix all of the ingredients together and spread the tuna salad on your bagel.
2. Variety of Cream Cheeses
Another great option for those who want something light is to just add a variety of cream cheeses to their bagel. You can find cream cheese in many different flavors such as onion and chive, strawberry, or honey nut. Just spread your favorite flavor on your bagel and enjoy.
3. Scrambled Eggs
This is a great option if you are looking for something heartier. scrambled eggs go well with any type of bagel. You can add some shredded cheese, diced onion, and diced green pepper to your scrambled eggs to give them some extra flavor. Once you have scrambled your eggs put them on your bagel and enjoy.
4. Hash Browns
This is another hearty option that goes great with any type of bagel. You can either make your own hash browns or you can buy them frozen at the store.
If you decide to make your own hash browns all you need is some potatoes, onion, olive oil, salt, and pepper. just shred up your potatoes and mix them with the other ingredients.
Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes or until they are golden brown. Then just add them to your bagel and enjoy.
5. Fruit Salad
This is a great option for those who are looking for something sweet but not too sweet. All you need for this dish is some chopped-up apples, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, and bananas.
Mix all of the fruit together and put it on your bagel. You can also add some yogurt or ice cream if you want something really sweet.
Conclusion
So, there you have it – three different methods for microwaving a bagel. Whether you’re using a frozen, refrigerated, or room-temperature bagel, one of these methods should work for you.
And if you’ve never tried microwaving a bagel before, now is the perfect time to give it a go. You might be surprised at how easy and delicious it is.
