FAQs
Contrary to popular belief, refrigerating your bagels will actually make them go stale more quickly. You should store them in plastic bags at room temperature, or freeze them immediately. Make sure your bagels aren't still warm when you put them in bags or they will get soggy.
How do you keep bagels fresh longer? ›
It is not recommended to store bagels in the refrigerator. Refrigerating bagels can cause them to become stale faster. Keep your bagels on the counter in a paper or zip-top bag, or freeze them for long-term storage.
How to store bagels to prevent mold? ›
In other words, place any bagel halves in a tightly sealed plastic bag at room temperature, and squeeze out any excess air before you close said bag. Stored this way, bagel slices should stay fresh for about three days, though you might want to revive them in the toaster before digging in.
How to make a bagel not stale? ›
The microwave is a quick solution for many kitchen tasks. To help soften a hard bagel, simply wrap it in a moist paper towel and microwave it for 15 seconds. You can also set the bagel on a microwave-safe plate, then surround it with a few water drops or lightly mist it and put it in the microwave for 30 seconds.
Can you freeze fresh bagels? ›
Bagels will stay fresh and soft (when stored properly) for up to five days at room temperature and approximately three months in the freezer.
Is it better to store bagels in paper or plastic? ›
"Paper leaves the crust and flavor intact, and while the bagels do get chewier, they're perfectly fine within a day of buying them," they write, adding that you can also keep the paper bag of bagels in a plastic bag.
How long do bagels last in the pantry? ›
However, after 2 to 3 days, they'll start to go a bit stale. Your best bet is to freeze bagels you're not sure you can eat within a 2-day timeframe. Store-bought bagels will usually keep for about 5 to 7 days in the pantry. They should be frozen if you won't eat them within the week.
Can I eat a bagel if I take the mold off? ›
Most likely, you'll be okay.” However, in certain cases, the mold found on spoiled food could be dangerous, so if you suddenly develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, an elevated temperature or diarrhea, you should immediately seek medical help.
Why do my bagels get moldy so fast? ›
Quick tip: Bagels get moldy when spores in the air land on the bread and use the residual moisture to propagate. If your bagels are preservative-free, this could happen within a day or two. Wilson suggests freezing bagels immediately unless you will enjoy them the same day.
Why do bagels not go mouldy? ›
The long proofing time that creates a fermented dough, boiling the proofed bagel just prior to baking to gelatinize the surface starch, and the use of steam or an egg-white “wash” to create a hard crust are all the preservative needed for up to one week of storage at room temperature…
For a soft, fluffy bagel, preheat your oven to 350°F, either run the stale bagel under hot water until the outside is damp or soak it briefly in a bowl of hot water, then place the bagel directly on the wire rack in the oven and heat it for five minutes.
Is it OK to eat stale bagels? ›
While the texture and taste of stale food might be a little off, so long as there isn't anything else wrong with it, the food should be fine to eat. You're not going to suffer any stale food side effects. But if your foods are showing other signs of going bad, like mold, it's time to throw it out.
Will toasting a stale bagel help? ›
The best way to revive a stale bagel is to submerge it in a bowl of warm (not hot) water, then loosely wrap it in aluminum foil and place it in either a toaster oven or an actual oven preheated to 350°F. After five minutes, remove the bagel, discard the foil, and slice and schmear it to your heart's content.
How to make bagels last longer? ›
Contrary to popular belief, refrigerating your bagels will actually make them go stale more quickly. You should store them in plastic bags at room temperature, or freeze them immediately. Make sure your bagels aren't still warm when you put them in bags or they will get soggy.
Can you vacuum seal bagels? ›
You can apply the same method to leftover bagels. Sometimes you buy a dozen delicious bagels because it's more economical, but you always seem to have leftovers that dry out. Not to worry—just separate the bagels you'll eat over the next few days and seal the rest.
How do you revive a frozen bagel? ›
How to reheat frozen bagels. Two acceptable options: Allow them to thaw to room temperature on the counter, or re-bake them in a hot oven. For best results, dip a frozen bagel in hot water before putting it in the oven to bake for a few minutes.
Do bagels last longer in the fridge or on the counter? ›
Refrigerated bagels can last from 5 to 7 days in the fridge, much longer than when left at normal room temperature. Freezing bagels allows them to last even longer, typically up to 3 months or even longer depending on the type of bagel and how they are stored.
Why do fresh bagels get hard so fast? ›
When bread sits out and loses that water through evaporation, the remaining moisture gets trapped in the starch as it recrystallizes and hardens.
How do you refresh day old bagels? ›
For a soft, fluffy bagel, preheat your oven to 350°F, either run the stale bagel under hot water until the outside is damp or soak it briefly in a bowl of hot water, then place the bagel directly on the wire rack in the oven and heat it for five minutes.
How long are bagels good for after the best by date? ›
Packaged Bagels & Breads
Trying to extend the shelf life is not recommended for freshly baked bread, but the preservatives in packaged bagels and bread allow it to last one to two weeks beyond the "Use Buy" date, if refrigerated. Just keep an eye out for mold or a crunchy, stale texture.