Turn Your Favorite Bagel Into A Savory Breakfast Casserole And Thank Us Later

How to build a savory bagel bake

We’re not here to criticize those who love cinnamon-raisin bagels, but for a savory bagel casserole, it’s best to choose saltier flavors like onion, everything, poppy seed, sesame seed, or even plain. To fill a 9x13-inch baking dish, you’ll need about 8 cups of torn bagel pieces (aim for irregular, one-inch sizes). Fortunately, breakfast casseroles are quite forgiving, so you can estimate the amounts. Layer your bagel pieces with your favorite toppings, such as dollops of cream cheese (the colder, the better), capers, tomatoes, and sliced onions.

For a visually appealing presentation, arrange your bagel pieces with the topping side facing up, then pour a savory custard mixture (essentially a seasoned blend of eggs and dairy) over the top. Cover the casserole and let it rest in the refrigerator overnight, or for at least a few hours. The next day, when you’re ready to go, bake the casserole for at least an hour at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until it’s golden brown. Your delicious, bagel-inspired breakfast will be ready to serve a crowd.

Fun ways to change up your bagel casserole

The concept is straightforward: If it’s delicious on a bagel, it will be just as tasty in or on top of a bagel breakfast casserole. This begins with the cream cheese you select. If you enjoy an everything bagel with chive and onion spread, go ahead and use it! If plain bagels with jalapeño cream cheese are more your style, opt for that instead. If your favorite toppings include cucumbers, red onion, and cracked black pepper, feel free to incorporate them, but be mindful of when you add them. For example, watery cucumber slices are better as a fresh garnish rather than baked into the casserole.

Other tasty ingredients that work well as toppings or in the casserole include freshly chopped chives, dill, sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled sausage, crispy bacon bits, and even a drizzle of chili oil. If you prefer a simpler casserole, consider making a plain bagel strata and topping it with satisfying fresh sides like smoked salmon or sliced avocado. Start with your favorites and let your creativity flow from there.

If a savory bagel casserole sounds ideal for your next brunch but you don’t have any stale bagels on hand, don’t worry. Fresh bagels can still be used in a baked casserole, although the final dish will have a more custard-like texture. If you prefer a more rugged texture, slice your bagels in half and dry them out in the oven at a low temperature for a few minutes.