Bagels are a delicious, yet tricky breakfast option, especially if they are frozen. In order to enjoy this carb-filled delight, you typically have to spend a few hours defrosting it. Or you could just be smart and defrost your bagels in the microwave. However, this can be tough because microwaves heat unevenly and can completely ruin the taste of your bagel if you don’t do it right.
Luckily, you’ve found this article that’ll give you the exact technique and quick answers so you can perfectly reheat your frozen bagels every time.
To start off, we’ll answer some questions that you’re surely wondering about…
Can you defrost Bagel in the microwave?
Yes, you can defrost a frozen Bagel in the microwave. Doing so is actually one of the fastest and most efficient ways to defrost a bagel in the microwave.
However, defrosting bagels in the microwave requires a bit of attention and care. If you don’t defrost bagels properly, they can end up burnt and dry. This is why it’s important to follow the instructions carefully. Nevertheless, thawing a bagel in the microwave will be faster than letting it defrost at room temperature.
When thawing your bagel with a microwave, one of the most important things to pay attention to is the power setting of the microwave. If you nuke it at full power, you’ll end up with a dry and burnt bagel. So, it’s important to lower the power to 50% or use the defrost setting.
If you don’t want to deal with any of this, we’d recommend defrosting your frozen bagels overnight at room temperature instead. This requires less attention and is still an effective way to defrost them.
What happens when you microwave a bagel?
Some people worry that when they microwave a frozen bagel, it will come out dry and crumbly, chewy, or very soggy. This happens because when the bagels are frozen, a lot of moisture inside is crystallized, and it becomes hard. Once it is heated in a microwave for too long or at too high a temperature, all the ice crystals will evaporate, which will leave you with a tough, dry bagel that crumbles apart.
For most people, this is usually a big issue but with a little bit of care, you can defrost the bagel in your microwave perfectly. Just keep in mind that a microwave cannot toast, crisp, or brown the outside of bread or bagels.
How to Defrost Bagel in Microwave
To defrost frozen bagels in microwave, remove it from the packaging and place it in a microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle a few drops of water around the dish or cover the bagels with a damp paper towel. Set the microwave to defrost mode or nuke the Bagel at 30% power for 30-second intervals.
After the first 30 second interval, the frozen bagel should automatically split in two. Take it apart and lay it out on the microwave-safe plate and sprinkle it with water again to keep it moist.
Nuke once more after splitting the bagels apart and make sure you flip it over then run the microwave again for another 15-30 seconds until fully thawed.
Using the method above will allow you to get a deliciously warm and pliable Bagel.
However, you must keep in mind that microwave ovens vary greatly so the time it takes to defrost your bagels can be very different from microwave to microwave. For example, a 1000 watt microwave will defrost faster than an 800-watt microwave.
But at the same time, it’s still important to make sure you heat your bagels using intervals. Doing so will prevent the microwave from sapping all the moisture out while it is thawing.
It will also prevent hotspots from forming on the bread that could cause some parts to be tough and chewy.
How long to defrost bagel in Microwave?
The speed at which a frozen bagel thaws is largely determined by the technique used to defrost it and the quantity being thawed at once. However, it generally takes about 30 seconds to 1 minute to thaw using a microwave. While it takes about 15-20 minutes in an oven or a few hours in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
How do you make crispy bagels in the microwave?
To make crispy bagels in the microwave, slice the bagels open and put them on a microwave-safe dish. Add butter and your favorite toppings such as cream cheese. Then nuke the sliced bagels in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Once it is done you should have a nice crispy bagel that’s ready to eat.
How do you soften bagels in the microwave?
Place the stale bagel on a microwave-safe plate. Pour some water on it. Wrap the paper towel around it and microwave for 10 to 20 seconds. The bagel will be softer and moister when you eat it.
Do you put bagels in the toaster or microwave?
You can put bagels in both the toaster oven and microwave. However, microwaved bagels won’t be as crisp as bagels that are heated in a toaster oven. On the other hand, bagels done in a microwave will be ready faster and require less energy to prepare.
Will microwaving a bagel make it softer?
Microwaving bagels won’t make them softer without using water or a damp paper towel to keep the moisture inside the bagel. But once you do the bagels will come out softer and ready to eat.
How do you defrost a frozen bagel quickly?
To defrost the frozen bagel quickly, put it on a microwave-safe plate. Heat it for half a minute in your microwave oven.
Tips to Thaw Frozen Bagel in the Microwave
- Microwave fresh bagels for about 30 seconds, and they will come out perfect and soft.
- Don’t microwave it for more than 1 minute or the bagel will start to get chewy and hard.
- Make sure you sprinkle some water on or around the bagels.
- The microwave should be at a low setting. If you put it on high, it will heat too quickly, and all the moisture will escape, which will cause the bagels to taste horrible.
- Make sure to watch the microwave while microwaving your bagel to avoid overcooking or undercooking them.
- If you want crispy bagels done in a microwave, rub some butter on the bagels and nuke at high power for 10 seconds.
- You can also try to use a microwave-safe plastic wrap which will help retain some of the moisture.
Conclusion
Defrosting Bagels in the microwave is easy a quick and easy method to get them warmed and ready to eat. However, you’ve got to pay attention to the tips and guidelines given above. Doing so will help you thaw frozen bagels quickly without having them come out dry, tough, or tasting like old bread instead of a delicious breakfast treat!