Keeping bagels fresh requires a bit of planning, but they’re one of the most accessible and affordable quick breakfasts out there. You can buy them in bulk and store them in plastic baggies to keep them fresh for up to a week. However, if you want to keep them longer than that, you’ll need to do some prep work first. Luckily, with just a few easy tricks and insider tips, keeping bagels fresh is a cinch. If you’re ready to learn how to keep bagels fresh, read on!
How To Keep Bagels Fresh?
Don’t store bagels in the freezer
Some people store their bagels in the freezer to keep them fresh longer. This isn’t recommended, though. Bagels are already low-moisture baked goods. Storing them in the freezer will make them dry out even more. Plus, they don’t taste good when they’ve been frozen. Treating your bagels like this will make them go stale much faster. Moreover, it will be harder to thaw the bagels once you’re ready to eat them. This will make your morning routine less pleasant.
Store in an airtight container
If you’re not planning to eat your bagels within a day or two, then you’ll need to store them in an airtight container. To maximize freshness and keep them from going stale, store your bagels in an airtight container. Keep your container in a cool, dry place like a pantry. Bagels go stale from the inside out, so you don’t have to keep them in the fridge to maintain freshness. In fact, refrigeration makes the staling process happen even faster. Bread kept in the fridge dries out, which is why bagels don’t stay fresh for longer when kept in the fridge. Your bagels will stay incredibly fresh and moist if you store them in an airtight container. You’ll also be able to enjoy them for longer.
Freeze the dough instead
Some people freeze bagels either as slices or the whole dough. This will extend the freshness of a bagel by several days. To freeze slices of bagels, place them in an airtight container and leave them to freeze completely. When they’re fully frozen, transfer them to a plastic bag. To thaw, place slices of bagels on a plate and leave them to defrost completely at room temperature. To freeze bagel dough, first knead the dough thoroughly, then shape it into the desired shape. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place it in a sealable freezer bag. Bagels freeze well and taste almost as good as fresh-made bagels when thawed.
Appropriate physical contact
Physical contact can be a good way to show someone you’re interested in them, but it’s important to pay attention to your date’s body language to make sure they’re comfortable with it. If your date initiates physical contact, then you’re in a good place and can continue with what they’ve initiated. If your date doesn’t initiate physical contact, you can try to be more physical with them, but be mindful of their body language. If they are pulling away, shifting positions, or making no effort to move closer to you, you may want to back off. If you’re not sure how your date feels about the level of physical contact, you can ask them at any point during the date.
Reheat frozen bagels
Reheating frozen bagels will freshen them up and make them taste almost as if they’re freshly baked. Reheat frozen bagels in the microwave, toaster, or toaster oven. Bagels defrosted in a microwave take about two minutes per bagel. Bagels in a toaster or toaster oven take about two to three minutes. To microwave two bagels, place the bagels in a microwave-safe dish or between two sheets of parchment paper. Heat in the microwave for two minutes on high power, then leave for a minute before serving. If you’re toasting bagels, place them in the toaster, and don’t overdo it – bagels go from brown to burn very quickly.
Use a small amount of vinegar
If you forget to store your bagels in an airtight container, don’t panic. A quick trick to keep them fresh longer is to use a small amount of vinegar. Vinegar works as a mild preservative. It also prevents the formation of mold and other microorganisms. If you’ve already put your bagels in a container, add a small amount of vinegar to prevent them from going stale too quickly.
More Tips For Keeping Bagels Fresh
- You can also freeze your bagels. Simply slice them and put them in an airtight container or plastic bag.
- They’ll keep for up to three months this way. To thaw, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave on low for 15-20 seconds.
- You can also try storing your bagels in an oven bag. Just be sure to put them in the bottom of the bag; you don’t want them to touch the heating element.
- If you have a bread box, that’s also a great option: the humidity inside will keep your bagels nice and fresh.
What’s The Best Way To Store Bagels?
- If you want to store bagels for a long time, you’ll want to freeze them. First, slice them and put them in an airtight container or plastic bag.
- You can also put them in sealed foil or paper bags. You can store them like this for up to three months.
- Then, when you’re ready to eat them, just pop them in the toaster. If you want to keep bagels fresh longer, you can also try storing them in a bread box.
- However, be careful not to put them in an open bag; they’ll get stale much more quickly.
How To Store Bagels?
Cook and freeze
Cooking bagels and then freezing them is an excellent way to preserve them for later. This method makes them last longer, but it also prevents them from going stale. If you bake bagels and then freeze them, you can thaw them in the microwave or the toaster to reheat them. Be aware that freezing bagels will change their texture a bit, making them a bit chewier when you thaw them out.
vacuum storage
If you have a vacuum sealer, you can seal bagels in a vacuum-sealed bag to extend their shelf life. You can seal bagels in a vacuum-sealed bag to prolong their shelf life by a significant amount, and they’re also easy to freeze and reheat if you vacuum seal them. Bagels are delicious as a snack but were never meant to be kept for a long time. If you want to store your bagels for a few weeks, it’s best to keep them in an airtight container, like a Ziploc bag, in the refrigerator.
Wrapped in foil
If you want to store your bagels for a long time, you can wrap them in foil. This method won’t keep them fresh for as long as vacuum sealing or refrigeration, but it will extend their shelf life by a few days. If you wrap your bagels in foil, make sure to put them in an airtight container or they will dry out. Also, when you’re ready to eat the bagels again, make sure to unwrap them and rewarm them before eating.
Fridge storage
If you aren’t in a rush to eat bagels, you can store them in the fridge. While this method will extend the shelf life of your bagels, it will also make them stale faster. If you’re going to store your bagels in the fridge, make sure you consume them within a day or two so that they don’t go bad. If you want to store your bagels in the fridge, it’s best to put them in a paper bag or plastic wrap to prevent them from getting soggy. If you put your bagels in a paper bag, make sure to put the bagels on the shelf and not on the bottom where they will get soggy from condensation.
The baked good delivery system
Bagels are delicious on their own, but they can also be used to deliver other foods. You can use bagels as a vessel for cream cheese, peanut butter, or other foods. If you’re storing bagels for a long time, you can use them as a delivery system for other foods. You can put cream cheese and other toppings in the middle of the bagel and wrap it up to preserve it. If you’re storing bagels for a short amount of time, you can also use them as a delivery system. This is a great way to use up leftover toppings, and it’s less messy than putting the toppings on the bagel directly.
Summary
Finally, don’t forget to refrigerate the bagels you’re keeping for the next day! If you don’t do this, the bagels will get stale much more quickly. Remember to be mindful of the rest of your groceries, too: bagels can get pretty stinky once they go bad. If you notice that your bagels smell bad, discard them immediately. With these tips, you’ll be able to keep bagels fresh for up to a week. But if you want them to last even longer, you can freeze them. Just be sure to store them in an airtight container or freezer bag to keep them fresh.
