Toasted Plain Bagel

Name: Toasted Plain Bagel
Prep time: 1 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 4 pcs plain bagel (store-bought, sliced in half); 2 tbsp butter (softened, for spreading); 1 pinch salt (optional, for finishing)

RATING

4.6/5(137)

TASTE SCORE

6/10

A perfectly toasted plain bagel with a golden, crisp exterior and a soft, chewy interior. This breakfast classic is ready in minutes and makes the ideal canvas for your favorite spreads, from cream cheese to butter and jam.

PREP

COOK

SERVES

1 PIECE

321 cal

SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS

For 4 servings

4 pcsplain bagel · store-bought, sliced in half2 tbspbutter · softened, for spreading1 pinchsalt · optional, for finishing

NUTRITION · PER SERVING

321

CALORIES · 1 PIECE

Protein10g · 12%

Carbs50g · 62%

Fat7g · 20%

Fiber2g

Sugar6g

Saturated fat4g

Cholesterol15mg

Sodium543mg

Potassium77mg

Phosphorus97mg

How we calculate →

METHOD · 4 STEPS

prep · ~1 min
Slice the bagels.
Using a serrated knife, carefully slice each plain bagel in half horizontally to create two even rounds. If using pre-sliced bagels, simply separate the halves.
TIPUse a gentle sawing motion with the serrated knife to avoid squishing the bagel.
other · ~4 min
Toast the bagel halves.
Place the bagel halves cut-side up in the toaster slots. Set to a medium-high setting and toast until the edges turn golden brown and the surface is crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes.
TIPFor a toaster oven, arrange halves cut-side up on the rack and toast at 375°F for 4 to 5 minutes.
assemble · ~1 min
Spread butter on the hot bagels.
Transfer the hot toasted bagel halves to a plate. Immediately spread softened butter evenly over the cut surface of each half. The heat from the bagel will melt the butter into the nooks and crannies.
TIPSpread butter while the bagel is still hot so it melts into every crevice.
garnish
Finish with a pinch of salt and serve immediately.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
Always use a serrated knife to slice bagels; a smooth blade will crush the soft interior.
2
Toast bagel halves cut-side up for even browning; flipping them cut-side down risks burning the crust.
3
Check doneness at 3 minutes; bagels go from golden to burnt quickly due to their sugar content.
4
Allow butter to come to room temperature for 20 minutes so it spreads smoothly without tearing the crust.
5
Serve immediately after toasting; bagels lose their crisp exterior within 5 minutes.
6
For extra crunch, toast the bagels twice—once on each side—at a lower setting.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

Adapt it for your goals.

garlic herb

Garlic-herb

Mix softened butter with minced garlic, dried parsley, and onion powder before spreading. This adds a savory, aromatic twist for those who want a more flavorful bagel.

everything seasoned

Everything-seasoned

Sprinkle the hot buttered bagel with everything bagel seasoning (sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic flakes, onion flakes, salt). It adds crunch and a savory pop without extra effort.

sweet cinnamon

Sweet-cinnamon

Replace butter with a blend of softened butter, cinnamon, and a touch of honey or brown sugar. Perfect for a sweet breakfast or dessert-style bagel.

dairy free

Dairy-free

Substitute the butter with vegan butter or olive oil. The oil still soaks into the toasted surface and delivers richness without dairy, ideal for lactose-intolerant or plant-based diets.

HEALTH BENEFITS