In the interest of never tossing an awesome bagel just because you couldn’t eat them lightning fast, here’s my little hack for steaming day old, stale bagels at home, using just a sprinkling of water!
While in Canada, we have eaten more pastries, bagels, and other awesome baked goods, than I can recall eating before in my life.
There are two prominent bagel shops here in the Mont-Royal neighborhood of Montreal. Fairmount Bagel and St-Viateur Bagel are both known for their piping hot sesame seed bagels served 24 hours a day.
Locals and tourists alike debate which one is best, so naturally, I felt the need to sample both. Twice.
Leading to many bagels eaten out of hand while wandering the neighborhoods, and many extra bagels purchased to go as well, because you never know when the craving might hit again.
First and foremost, Montreal’s bagels are absolutely amazing, and I do mean AMAZING when you first carry them out of the shop; piping hot, nutty and crisp on the outside, chewy and slightly sweet inside.
They bear little resemblance to the big, fluffy, New York style bagels I’ve eaten in the past. Montreal bagels are much thinner and not nearly as doughy as their American counterparts.
For what it’s worth, I had a very hard time choosing a favorite. I loved the hint of sweetness with the Fairmount bagel, but the slightly thinner St-Viateur was my favorite straight out of the oven.
If you are planning to keep them overnight, I found that the Fairmount bagels were softer the following day, but really? If you are in Montreal, just go back to the shop in the morning. It’s worth the walk!
What To Do With Stale Bagels
When we bought bagels this past weekend, I brought a few extra bagels back to our loft to enjoy with breakfast the following morning.
Let’s just say that 24 hours later they were sadly lacking in chewiness. Lucky for me, that was easily fixed!
Did it bring them back to exactly the same fresh-out-of-the-oven-awesomeness? No, not entirely, but it was very very close!
We happily finished the bagels and decided that moving to Montreal just for the ability to add more carbs in our life really could be a reality. (Not really, but it was a lovely little dream.)
How To Soften Stale Bagels
- Place the hard bagel on a plate.
- Sprinkle the plate around the bagel with 8-10 drops of water.
- Microwave for 30 seconds.
- Pause and wonder at the awesomeness of a once again soft bagel.
- Enjoy!
Want to see more of our Montreal vacation? Check out Montreal’s Botanical Garden, Montreal-Style Poutine, and Street Art in Montreal.
Kristen - Dine & Dish says
What a great tip!!
Christine at Cook the Story says
Fabulous tip, thank you! Nothing sadder than a dry bagel…
Martha in KS says
You can also use them for french toast or eggs benedict.
Joshua Hampton says
Awesome hack! Thanks for sharing this.
Steve Wayne says
Thanks for the tip! It worked great.
Nicole says
This works great. About how long does it stay soft afterwards?
Mary Younkin says
Just long enough to eat it, Nicole. This is a great method for softening bagels that have gone stale, but it isn’t going to make them last any longer.
Mary Anne Fuscaldo says
I tried this using 50% power for 30 seconds and it worked!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad it was helpful, Mary Anne!
stevenp says
much better to sprinkle a stake bagel with water, then bake at 350 for 7-8 minutes. just microwaving doesn’t get the right texture. try it!
Mary Younkin says
Thanks for the tip, Steven.
Skyla says
No. This made it unbelievably chewy. I couldnt even bite through it. yes it was soft, but i bit down and it just made teeth marks and i have to like pull away from the bagel with my mouth. not the right texture. not a good method.
Mary Younkin says
That’s very weird, Skyla. The bagels I’ve reheated this way have all worked nicely. It’s a last-ditch effort to save a stale bagel, but I’m still sorry to hear that it didn’t work for you.
Skyla says
this did not work. and ruined my meal. it’s literally like a piece of gum…. or beef jerky.
Mary Younkin says
Hi Skyla, I’m sorry to hear that. It sounds like you overheated it in the microwave.
bob says
thank you very much for the HACK….
A NOTE: for sure, this trick softens the bagel; however, I do not think it regains that original – sutle textures that you feel in your mouth and tongue-
so I toast it immediately after the micro wave trick——–yummy!!!!!
regards
Mary Younkin says
You are 100% correct that it isn’t the same as when bagels are freshly made. But this method definitely makes a stale bagel soft again and it sounds like toasting it made it perfect for you.
Grace says
This is awesome! Just did this method for my Montreal bagel 🥯 and it worked great! Thank you 😊
Mary Younkin says
YAY! I’m glad it helped – and I’m super jealous you have a Montreal bagel in hand today!