You could also let the bagel defrost overnight, which could especially come in handy if you want to eat a bagel first thing in the morning.

If you prefer a less-crispy exterior, set the oven to 350 °F (177 °C) instead of 400 °F (204 °C). For an extra-crispy bagel, set the oven to 420 °F (216 °C).

If the bagel is already sliced, it’s okay if some water gets onto the interior of the bagel—it won’t hurt anything.

Be careful when slicing the bagel that you don’t accidentally cut your hand.

You can also bake bagels whole if you prefer. Just keep in mind that the interior of the bagel won’t get crispy and browned at all.

If you’re baking an unsliced bagel, it should still need just 10-15 minutes to bake on the outside and heat all the way through.

Don’t forget to turn off the oven when you’re done using it.

If you can’t bake a bagel, toasting it is the next best option. It’ll crisp up the exterior and hopefully leave the interior nice and chewy.

Every toaster is different, so use your best judgment when deciding what setting to use. It should be a bit higher than what you would use for toast since the bagel is thicker than sliced bread.

Cream cheese (plain or flavored) Peanut butter Nutella Egg Smoked salmon and capers Pizza sauce and cheese Smashed avocado

Microwaving a bagel is a good way to quickly heat it up straight from the freezer. Keep in mind that it won’t produce a crispy exterior, though. If you do want that crispy outside, opt for the toaster or bake the bagel in the oven.

You could also wrap the bagel in a moistened paper towel for an even chewier bagel. Leave the paper towel in place while the bagel is in the microwave.

If the bagel is unsliced, you could either slice it before you microwave it or wait until afterward.

Be careful when taking the plate out of the microwave as it may be hot to the touch.

Freezing the bagels removes moisture from them. Wrapping them up will help them retain a bit more moisture than they would if you froze them all together.

If there are too many bagels and you can’t seal the plastic bag, separate the bagels into 2 or 3 packages.

This is a great way to store bagels that you buy or make in bulk. Label the bag with the “frozen on” date so that you remember how long they’ve been in storage. Discard any bagels that are discolored or develop freezer burn. Technically, the bagel will still be safe to eat as long as it has been frozen properly, but it probably won’t taste very good anymore. [14] X Research source