Are you crazy about bagels but not so crazy about cream cheese, lox and whitefish? Don’t worry – you can do a lot more with bagels than just the traditional toppings.
Here are some great ideas for bagel goodness – so buy several next time you are out and take a couple home for perfect snack food, or even an extra meal for tomorrow!
The Breakfast Bagel
Start with the bagel of your choice, and add protein for an energy boost that doesn‘t burn out before noon. Split your bagel, and brush lightly with butter or margarine. Toast gently under a broiler or in the toaster over, and when it’s nearly done slap some cheese on it: American, cheddar, Swiss, Provolone, pepper jack – the possibilities are endless.
While the cheese finishes toasting on top of your open face bagel, get your eggs ready. You can scramble them in a little butter, fry them, or poach them – again, suit your own taste! Put some cooked eggs on top of each bagel half, sprinkle with salt or pepper, and add a crumbled slice of bacon or a juicy sausage patty. These are the perfect breakfast sandwiches to keep you steamrolling ahead until lunchtime!
The Lunchtime Bagel
When you are on the run, finding time for lunch can be hard. If you have an leftover bagel hanging around, lunch gets easy, fast! Just spread the bagel with peanut butter or Nutella, slice a banana on top, and add a sprinkle of wheat germ if you’re feeling particularly health conscious.
For an Elvis style twist, try adding bacon bits instead of wheat germ. If you aren’t a fan of banana, try honey or jelly instead. For extra flavor and texture, toast your bagel lightly first. You can also try different kinds of nut and seed butters for variety – look for sunflower seed butter and almond butter for an unusual kick! 
The Dinner time Bagel
Pizza, anyone? It’s absurdly easy to turn leftover bagels into incredible tiny pan pizzas. Start by toasting each bagel lightly, then top with your favorite marinara sauce and a hefty sprinkling of mozzarella. Slide it back under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly, and you have the perfect personal sized pizzas ready for your enjoyment.
Toppings can be anything you want. Slap on pepperoni, par ham and pineapple, go vegetarian with onions, peppers and mushrooms. Switch up your cheeses with Asiago, Parmesan, and provolone. Sprinkle or snip herbs and spices like garlic, basil and oregano, and garnish with anchovies or bacon bits. (This is great for a night in with the kids – you can set out bowls of ingredients and everyone can make their own!)
The Dessert Bagel
A warm bagel with sweet toppings can make an excellent end to any meal. Try spreading each bagel half with butter, then slathering with a mixture of one part cinnamon and two parts granulated sugar. Pop the resulting sugary mess under the broiler until the top is golden brown, then let cool before devouring.
Make bagels a staple in your kitchen. You’ll find many more uses for them, we’re sure! What are your favorite bagel toppings?