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Growing up, bagels were just bagels in our house – plain with a swipe of cream cheese if we were feeling fancy. My mom wasn’t much for “dressed up” breakfast foods. It wasn’t until college that I discovered how a few simple ingredients could turn a basic bagel into something special.
These bacon cream cheese bagels have become my go-to weekend breakfast. They’re so straightforward to make, yet they feel like a treat every time. The warm, toasted bagel with melty cream cheese and crispy bacon bits is basically breakfast comfort food at its finest. And the best part? You don’t need any special cooking skills to make them taste great.
Why You’ll Love These Bacon Cream Cheese Bagels
- Quick preparation – These bagels come together in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for busy mornings or when you need a satisfying lunch in a hurry.
- Make-ahead friendly – You can prepare the cream cheese mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge, ready to spread whenever you’re craving a delicious bagel.
- Customizable heat level – Add as much or as little hot sauce as you like – make it mild for the kids or spicy for those who love heat.
- Rich and filling – The combination of cream cheese, bacon, and cheddar creates a protein-packed breakfast or lunch that will keep you satisfied for hours.
What Kind of Bagels Should I Use?
While this recipe suggests sesame seed bagels, you’ve got plenty of tasty options to work with here. Plain, everything, or onion bagels all make excellent bases for this loaded cream cheese and bacon combo. Fresh bagels from your local bakery will give you the best results, but grocery store bagels work just fine too – just make sure they’re not pre-sliced, as those tend to be drier. If you’re starting with frozen bagels, let them thaw completely and give them a quick toast to bring back that fresh-baked texture. For the best experience, look for bagels that are dense and chewy with a slightly crispy exterior – these will hold up better under the weight of all those delicious toppings.
Options for Substitutions
This bagel recipe is pretty adaptable and you’ve got several options for switching things up:
- Bagels: While sesame bagels are great here, you can use any bagel variety you like – plain, everything, onion, or even whole wheat work well. In a pinch, you could even use English muffins or thick-cut toast.
- Cream cheese: Regular cream cheese works best, but you can use light cream cheese if you prefer. For a dairy-free option, try dairy-free cream cheese alternatives, though the texture might be slightly different.
- Bacon: Turkey bacon makes a lighter option, or try chopped ham for a different twist. For a vegetarian version, you could use tempeh bacon or extra-crispy mushrooms.
- Cheddar: Feel free to swap cheddar with other melting cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, or Swiss. Each will bring its own flavor to the mix.
- Sour cream: Greek yogurt makes a great substitute for sour cream – it adds the same tang with extra protein. Just make sure to use full-fat for the best texture.
- Hot sauce: Any hot sauce works here – sriracha, Tabasco, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper. You can also add some fresh jalapeños if you want that fresh pepper kick.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when making bacon cream cheese bagels is using warm or hot bacon, which will make your cream cheese mixture melt and become runny – always let your bacon cool completely before mixing it with other ingredients. Another common error is not toasting your bagels properly; a lightly toasted bagel provides the perfect sturdy base and prevents the filling from making the bread soggy. When mixing your cream cheese spread, avoid over-mixing which can make it too soft – instead, fold the ingredients together just until they’re evenly combined. For the best flavor balance, make sure to taste and adjust the seasonings before spreading, as the saltiness of different bacon brands can vary significantly. A pro tip is to let the cream cheese mixture chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before spreading, which helps the flavors meld together and makes it easier to spread on your bagels.
What to Serve With Bacon Cream Cheese Bagels?
These loaded bagels make a fantastic breakfast or lunch, and they pair really well with some simple sides to round out the meal. A handful of crispy hash browns or breakfast potatoes on the side adds a nice crunch that complements the creamy bagel filling. For a fresher option, try serving them with some fresh fruit like berries or sliced melon – the sweetness helps balance out the rich, savory flavors of the bacon and cheese. If you’re serving these for lunch, a light mixed green salad with a simple vinaigrette or some crunchy pickle spears on the side works great too.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: If you’ve made the cream cheese mixture ahead, keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually get better as they mingle together! Just give it a quick stir before spreading on your bagels.
Make Ahead: The bacon cream cheese spread is perfect for meal prep! Mix up a batch on Sunday, and you’ll have quick and easy bagel spreads ready for breakfast all week. Just remember to keep the bagels separate and toast them fresh when you’re ready to eat.
Serving Tips: For the best taste, let the cream cheese mixture sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before spreading – it’ll be much easier to work with. If you’ve made assembled bagels, they’re best eaten within a few hours, as they can get a bit soggy if stored too long.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 12-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 22-30 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 2500-2700
- Protein: 80-100 g
- Fat: 150-160 g
- Carbohydrates: 250-300 g
Ingredients
- 4 large sesame bagels
- 7 oz cream cheese
- 5 oz cooked bacon, cooled and diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp sour cream
- 1 tbsp chopped chives
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional or to taste)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Step 1: Make the Creamy Bacon Cheddar Filling
- 7 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 5 oz cooked bacon, cooled and diced
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp sour cream
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional or to taste)
- salt and pepper, to taste
In a small mixing bowl, add the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, diced cooked bacon, mayonnaise, sour cream, hot sauce (if using), and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
For the best visual appeal, I like to reserve a bit of the bacon and some chopped chives to garnish the bagels after baking.
Step 2: Prepare the Bagels
- 4 large sesame bagels
Take each sesame bagel and cut a wafer-thin slice off the base, making sure to leave the seeded side intact.
Place the bagel seed-side-down.
Carefully run a knife around the center of the bagel, making sure not to cut all the way through.
Then, using your thumbs, gently but firmly push the center of the bagel outward to create space for the filling.
Step 3: Stuff and Bake the Bagels
- bagels prepared in Step 2
- cream cheese filling from Step 1
Divide the prepared creamy bacon cheddar filling (from Step 1) evenly among the hollowed-out bagels (from Step 2), smoothing the filling to level off the tops.
Arrange the stuffed bagels on a baking tray.
Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C/375°F for 12-15 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the cheese is gooey and bubbling.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
- reserved bacon from Step 1
- 1 tbsp chopped chives
Once baked, carefully remove the bagels from the oven—the filling will be quite hot!
Garnish the tops with the reserved bacon and a sprinkle of chopped chives.
Serve immediately and enjoy.
For extra flavor, I like to add an extra pinch of chives just before serving.