How to Defrost a Bagel

Resembling a doughnut in shape, bagels are a dense and chewy baked treat originating from Europe. These tasty round breads can be topped with your choice of cream cheese, salmon or jam for a high-carbohydrate, low-calorie breakfast. Bagels are undeniably best when they're fresh. Except for those that are eaten as soon as they're baked, the rest need to be properly stored. Freezing bagels allows them to be savored at a later date without the worry of them going stale. Proper defrosting helps to restore them to as close to freshly baked as possible.

Step 1

Set the bagels on the counter overnight to allow them to thaw at room temperature. Keep them in a cool, dry place.

Step 2

Place a whole bagel onto a microwave-safe plate and set it in a microwave oven. Set the microwave to “high” and heat the bagel for about 30 seconds to defrost it enough to slice in half.

Step 3

Toast bagels that were frozen in halves in a toaster while still frozen until they are crisp. Some toasters have a bagel setting. Check the manufacturer's instructions for your particular toaster for details.

Step 4

Place the frozen bagels onto a baking sheet and slide them into an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the bagels for 15 to 20 minutes to brown them. Allow them 20 to 30 minutes to cool before eating.

Things You'll Need

• Microwave-safe plate

• Baking sheet

Tip

Use frozen bagels within six months of freezing. Store thawed or fresh bagels in a refrigerator or in a paper bag for up to one week. Mist bagels with a spray bottle of cool water before toasting or baking to give them a crispy outer layer. Freezing bagels pre-sliced with a sheet of wax paper or plastic wrap between them saves time later so you can pop the halves into the toaster straight from the freezer.