The Quick Tip That Totally Revives Stale Bagels
While there may be some debate over whether or not to toast your bagels, adding a little heat may be exactly what you need to refresh some day-old bread. If you find that your bagels have a tough exterior, you can drizzle some water on top of them.
Once your bagel has been sufficiently dripped on, it's time to heat it up. Whether you use a conventional oven or a toaster oven, the heat should be turned up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your bagel inside the oven, and allow it to heat up for five minutes.
The heat should cook off the water droplets, but not before the interior has been thoroughly rehydrated. After your bagel has been revived, you can slice it down the center and finish it off with your preferred spread.
Frozen bagels can use this trick, too
This method even works for refreshing frozen bagels, according to The Baltimore Sun. The process is mostly the same but may require a little extra heat. Once you've removed the bagel from the freezer, allow it to thaw out for about an hour. Then, run it under water and add it to the oven.
When working with frozen bagels, however, you'll want to turn the heat up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This extra boost in temperature will allow the bagel to go from frozen to fluffy quickly. After about five minutes, you can check to see if the water has completely cooked off, leaving you with a perfectly revived bagel.
As the water heats up, it turns to steam inside the oven and that steam will ensure that your bagel has a nice, crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy inside. But bagels aren't the only food that can benefit from a little added water — some steam can make for some extra fluffy microwaved rice, too.
Prevent your bagels from going stale
While this trick may be useful for reviving slightly stale bagels, there are a few ways to prevent the bread from going stale in the first place. Allowing freshly-baked bagels to sit out overnight can harden the bread, so it's important to store them in an airtight container or bag to slow the process.
Additionally, freezing bagels can be a great way to preserve their integrity — though you may want to pre-slice them before freezing, since they may be too hard to cut through after taking them out.
However, storing the bagels in the fridge can actually cause them to go stale faster — especially if they're still warm when you put them away. The moderately cold air of the fridge will cause the bread to dry out more quickly, making for a less-than-pleasant meal.
If you're craving the fluffiest, freshest-tasting day-old bagel, adding a little moisture before heating up your breakfast may just be the best way to go.