Easy Cheesy Bagels

close up shot of hand lifting lid of bagel with cheese pull

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

These Cheese Stuffed Bagels are outrageously delicious and so simple to make!

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Course: Lunch

Cuisine: American

Servings: bagels

Author: Chris Collins

Cost: £1.50 / $2

Equipment

Large Baking Tray
Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
Small Pot & Brush

Ingredients

4 Bagels
8 Cheesestrings (see notes)
2oz / 60g Butter, melted
2 cloves of Garlic, very finely diced then mashed with the blade of your knife
1 tbsp very finely diced Fresh Parsley

Instructions

Slice the bagels about 2/3 of the way up and place the top slice to one side. Run a knife around the centre of the bottom slice, making sure you don't go all the way through (see video for guidance). Carefully but firmly use your thumbs to push the centre of the bagel to the outside, making way for the cheese.
Bend two cheese strings into the centre of the bagel, then pop the top slice back on. Repeat and place on a large baking tray.
In a small pot combine melted butter with garlic and parsley. Use a brush to brush the garlic butter on top, around the sides and in the middle of the bagels.
Bake in the oven at 180C/350F for 10-15mins, or until the bagels are deep golden and crispy, with the cheese in the middle completely melted (you can lift the top slice slightly to check).

Video

Notes

a) Cheesestrings - These fit PERFECTLY in the centre of the bagels. They've also got the perfect gooey texture too. I have tried this recipe with just stuffing in mozzarella, but it doesn't work quite as well, so definitely use cheesestrings if you can (possibly called 'string cheese' or 'stringy cheese' depending on where you are in the world).

b) Garlic Butter - If you don't want to add this you don't have to, but I'd still brush the bagels in a little butter otherwise they can dry out in the oven. Important to make sure you garlic has a paste-like texture; if it's just finely diced the little pieces can burn quite easily.

c) Serving - Perfect as they are for lunch. They make an awesome substitute for garlic bread where you'd usually serve that. They're also great for dunking in Tomato Soup!

d) Calories - Per bagel.

Nutrition