Toasted Bagels

Lovely bagel toasting in a skillet

Skillet Toasted Bagels. Toasty and soft.

Tasty bagels with cream cheese

Toasted Bagels: You're doing it wrong.

Yeah, you heard me. Get that bagel out of the toaster. You want a toasted bagel? Use a skillet instead. 

I've been eating toasted bagels ever since I can remember. When I was a kid, my mom would make me toasted bagels and her method is perhaps the absolute best way to enjoy them. Sure, I've used a toaster or toaster ovens for my bagels, but using a skillet has an advantage over these popular methods. Instead of drying out the bagel, as toasters often do, the skillet method keeps the bagel soft while offering a lovely toasty surface upon which to spread the cream cheese. No more dried out bagel. You get one that is toasted and soft. 

It's a simple method:

Cut the bagel in half like you normally would. Spread a thin layer of butter on the cut side. Place bagel, butter side down in a non-stick skillet. Cook over medium heat until toasted and golden brown. Remove from pan. Spread with cream cheese or preferred bagel topping.  

Enjoy a toasted bagel that is soft and warm. 

The way bagels should be.