Homemade Savory Baked Bagel Chips: Crispy, Crunchy Perfection!

Forget store-bought bagel chips that are often stale, flavorless, and packed with preservatives! With just a handful of ingredients and a simple baking process, you can create incredibly delicious, savory baked bagel chips right in your own kitchen. These homemade bagel chips are perfect for snacking, dipping, topping soups and salads, or adding a satisfying crunch to your favorite appetizers. This recipe is easily customizable, allowing you to experiment with different seasonings and bagel flavors to create your own signature snack.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Super Easy: Requires minimal effort and readily available ingredients.
• Customizable: Endless possibilities for flavor combinations – everything bagel seasoning, garlic parmesan, everything bagel seasoning, or spicy chili flakes.
• Budget-Friendly: Significantly cheaper than buying pre-made bagel chips.
• Healthier Alternative: Baked instead of fried, reducing the amount of fat. You control the ingredients, avoiding unwanted additives.
• Perfect for Snacking: A satisfyingly crunchy and flavorful snack for any occasion.
• Great for Dipping: Holds up well to dips like hummus, guacamole, or spinach artichoke dip.
• Elevates Any Meal: Adds texture and flavor to soups, salads, and charcuterie boards.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Bagels: Choose your favorite flavor! Plain, everything, sesame, onion, and poppy seed bagels all work well. Stale bagels are actually ideal, as they’ll crisp up beautifully in the oven. Day-old bagels are perfect.
• Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil provides flavor and helps the seasonings adhere to the bagel slices.
• Seasonings: This is where you can get creative! Some suggestions include:
• Everything Bagel Seasoning: A classic choice!
• Garlic Powder: Adds a pungent and savory note.
• Onion Powder: Complements garlic powder for a deeper flavor.
• Salt: Enhances the other flavors. Use kosher salt for best results.
• Black Pepper: Adds a touch of spice.
• Dried Herbs: Italian seasoning, oregano, thyme, or rosemary.
• Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan cheese adds a salty, cheesy flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes: For a spicy kick.
• Paprika: Smoked or sweet paprika adds color and flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of savory baked bagel chips:

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents the bagel chips from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
2. Slice the Bagels: Using a serrated knife, carefully slice each bagel into thin, even slices. Aim for slices that are about 1/4 inch thick. Thinner slices will result in crispier chips. Slightly stale bagels are easier to slice thinly.
3. Arrange Bagel Slices on Baking Sheet: Arrange the bagel slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure the slices don’t overlap, as this will prevent them from crisping up properly. You may need to use two baking sheets depending on the number of bagels you are using.
4. Brush with Olive Oil: Lightly brush each bagel slice with olive oil. You can use a pastry brush or drizzle the olive oil over the slices and then spread it evenly with your fingers. Don’t over-saturate the bagel slices, as this will make them greasy.
5. Season the Bagel Slices: Sprinkle your chosen seasonings evenly over the bagel slices. Be generous with the seasonings, as they will add the majority of the flavor. If using parmesan cheese, sprinkle it on last.
6. Bake the Bagel Chips: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the bagel chips are golden brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on them, as they can burn easily. The baking time will vary depending on the thickness of the bagel slices and the oven.
7. Cool the Bagel Chips: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the bagel chips cool completely on the baking sheet. As they cool, they will continue to crisp up.
8. Enjoy!: Once the bagel chips are completely cool, they are ready to be enjoyed! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Detailed Recipe

Yields: Approximately 4-6 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10-15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2-3 Bagels (plain, everything, sesame, onion, or poppy seed)
• 2-3 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2-3 teaspoons Everything Bagel Seasoning (or your favorite seasoning blend)
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
• Optional: Grated Parmesan Cheese, Red Pepper Flakes, Dried Herbs

Equipment:

• Large Baking Sheet
• Parchment Paper
• Serrated Knife
• Pastry Brush (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Using a serrated knife, carefully slice each bagel into thin, even slices (about 1/4 inch thick).
3. Arrange the bagel slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they don’t overlap.
4. Lightly brush each bagel slice with olive oil.
5. Sprinkle the bagel slices evenly with your chosen seasonings. Be generous! (Everything Bagel Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Black Pepper, Parmesan Cheese, Red Pepper Flakes, Dried Herbs)
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the bagel chips are golden brown and crispy. Watch them carefully to prevent burning.
7. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the bagel chips cool completely on the baking sheet. They will crisp up further as they cool.
8. Once cooled, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
9. Enjoy your homemade savory baked bagel chips!

Tips and Variations

• Use Stale Bagels: Day-old or slightly stale bagels are easier to slice thinly and will result in crispier chips. If your bagels are fresh, you can leave them out uncovered for a few hours to dry them out slightly.
• Slice Evenly: Aim for even slices so that the chips bake evenly.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Baking Sheet: Make sure the bagel slices are arranged in a single layer and don’t overlap. This allows them to crisp up properly. If necessary, use two baking sheets.
• Adjust Baking Time: The baking time will vary depending on the thickness of the bagel slices and your oven. Keep a close eye on the chips and adjust the baking time as needed.
• Experiment with Seasonings: Get creative with your seasonings! Some other ideas include:
• Cajun Seasoning: Adds a spicy and flavorful kick.
• Chili Powder: For a smoky and slightly spicy flavor.
• Ranch Seasoning: A classic flavor that everyone loves.
• Taco Seasoning: Perfect for adding a Tex-Mex twist.
• Lemon Pepper: Adds a bright and citrusy flavor.
• Nutritional Yeast: For a cheesy and savory flavor (vegan option).
• Add Cheese: Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, or mozzarella cheese over the bagel slices before baking for a cheesy twist.
• Make Sweet Bagel Chips: For sweet bagel chips, brush the bagel slices with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake until golden brown and crispy.
• Use Different Bagel Flavors: Try using different bagel flavors to create unique variations. Blueberry bagels with cinnamon sugar, chocolate chip bagels with chopped nuts, or jalapeño cheddar bagels with chili powder are all delicious options.
• Garlic Infused Oil: Infuse your olive oil with garlic for an extra layer of flavor. Simply heat the olive oil in a saucepan over low heat with a few cloves of minced garlic. Cook for a few minutes until the garlic is fragrant, then remove from heat and let cool. Strain the garlic out of the oil before brushing it onto the bagel slices.

Serving Suggestions

Savory baked bagel chips are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways:

• Snacking: Enjoy them straight out of the container as a quick and easy snack.
• Dipping: Serve them with your favorite dips, such as hummus, guacamole, spinach artichoke dip, French onion dip, or salsa.
• Topping Soups and Salads: Add a crunchy topping to soups and salads for extra texture and flavor.
• Charcuterie Boards: Include them on your charcuterie boards alongside cheese, meats, olives, and other appetizers.
• Appetizers: Serve them as an appetizer with a variety of toppings, such as cream cheese, smoked salmon, or bruschetta.
• With Cheese: Pair them with your favorite cheeses for a simple and satisfying snack.
• Crumble as a Topping: Crumble them over baked potatoes, mac and cheese, or other comfort food dishes for added crunch.

Storage Instructions

Store your homemade savory baked bagel chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To maintain their crispness, avoid storing them in a humid environment. If they do become slightly soft, you can re-crisp them in a low oven (300°F/150°C) for a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Can I use fresh bagels for this recipe?
• Yes, you can use fresh bagels, but slightly stale bagels are preferred as they are easier to slice thinly and will result in crispier chips. If using fresh bagels, you can leave them out uncovered for a few hours to dry them out slightly.
• How thin should I slice the bagels?
• Aim for slices that are about 1/4 inch thick. Thinner slices will result in crispier chips.
• Can I use different types of bagels?
• Yes! Plain, everything, sesame, onion, poppy seed, and even flavored bagels like blueberry or chocolate chip can be used. Just adjust the seasonings accordingly.
• How do I prevent the bagel chips from burning?
• Keep a close eye on the chips while they are baking. The baking time will vary depending on the thickness of the slices and your oven. If they start to brown too quickly, reduce the oven temperature slightly.
• How long will the bagel chips stay fresh?
• When stored in an airtight container, homemade bagel chips will stay fresh for up to a week.
• Can I freeze bagel chips?
• Freezing bagel chips isn’t recommended as it can affect their texture. They are best enjoyed fresh or within a week of making them.
• What if my bagel chips aren’t crispy enough?
• If your bagel chips aren’t crispy enough after the initial baking time, you can return them to the oven for a few more minutes, watching them carefully to avoid burning. You can also lower the oven temperature slightly and bake them for a longer period.

Conclusion

Homemade savory baked bagel chips are a delicious, easy, and customizable snack that’s perfect for any occasion. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a batch of crispy, crunchy chips that are far superior to anything you can buy in the store. So, ditch the pre-packaged snacks and give this recipe a try – you won’t be disappointed!