How Long Do Fresh Bagels Last?

There are few things more satisfying than a nice, toasted bagel in the morning. They make an ideal food because they can be eaten with eggs and bacon, as a sandwich, with cream cheese, jam, and even peanut butter. Bagels are a pretty standard item on a grocery shopping list because of how versatile they can be. However, many people may be curious to know how long bagels stay fresh and when to call it quits and throw them out. If you’re one of the many people wondering this, keep reading.

So, How Long Do Fresh Bagels Last?

If you’ve ever stood in the bread aisle at the grocery store and wondered, how long do fresh bagels last, you’ve come to the right place. The answer to this question depends on how you store your bagels and when you put them into storage.

If you leave your bagels out after purchasing them, chances are they’ll only stay fresh for about a day. After that, they’ll start to become stale, and no one likes a stale bagel. However, if you’re able to store your fresh bagels in a sealed plastic bag, they will stay fresh for the better part of five days. The trick is to make sure you let them cool completely before storing them.

However, to make your bagels last as long as possible, freeze them. When stored in the freezer, bagels can stay fresh for up to a few months. The best part is that they’ll still maintain their flavor and texture even when you decide to dethaw them.

How Best to Store Fresh Bagels

As mentioned previously, storing your fresh bagels in an adequately sealed plastic bag after letting them cool down is one of the best ways to keep your bagels. Be sure that when you put them in a plastic bag, you are letting out as much air as possible from the pack. For extra protection, you can also seal the plastic bag with a rubber band or chip clip.

As an alternative, you can also freeze them, so they last much longer.

Unfortunately, many people believe that putting their bagels into the fridge is a good way of keeping them fresh. However, putting them into the refrigerator is a surefire way to make sure they go stale faster.

Believe it or not, a paper bag is also an excellent way to keep your bagels fresh overnight. Be sure to leave the bagels in their plastic bag but then place that bag into a paper bag and leave it at room temperature. Using the paper bag allows the bagels to stay crispy and keep their flavor. However, keep in mind that this trick will only work for about a day before the bagels begin to go stale.

How Can I Tell If a Bagel Is Okay to Eat?

So, you bought a bag of bagels and completely forgot about them for a few days. Now you are probably wondering whether or not they are safe to eat. The good news is, there are several ways to tell whether or not a bagel is spoiled or if it’s safe for consumption.

The best way to tell whether or not your bagels have gone bad is to use your senses. Smell them to check and see if they have an off odor coming from them and see if there is any mold growing on them. Mold typically grows in various colors that can easily be mistaken for blueberries, so pay extra attention if blueberry bagels are your go-to.

If you spot any of these signs, chances are your bagels have gone bad, and you should toss them right away.

On the other hand, a stale bagel may still be safe to eat but isn’t necessarily going to taste good. However, it will be tough and flavorless, which isn’t exactly the treat you were looking for.

How Do You Make Old Bagels Taste Fresh?

If you’re not ready to give up on those old bagels that have been sitting on your kitchen counter for a few days, you may be wondering whether or not there’s a way to make them taste fresh again. The good news is, there are a few tips and tricks that you can follow to make your old bagels taste as fresh as possible.

You’ll want to start by taking your stale bagel and placing it on a microwaveable plate. From there, you will want to sprinkle it with a few drops of water. Then stick it into the microwave and cook it for about 30 seconds. Believe it or not, this trick will ensure your bagel is fresh and chewy once again.

If you’re not in any hurry and are willing to take your time, you can also place your stale bagels in the oven to revive them. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place the bagels on a baking sheet. Then, you will want to sprinkle them with some water, like you would with the microwaving method. Be sure that you are not soaking your bagels in water but simply drizzling them lightly.

Once damp enough, your bagels can go into the oven for about five minutes. Once done, you’ll be amazed to see that they are much fresher than they were several minutes ago.

Conclusion

If you’re a bagel lover like most people, you probably like to stock up on bagels every time you go to the grocery store. But like most breads, bagels don’t tend to stay fresh very long when they are not stored properly.

Luckily, there are several ways to make sure you never run out of fresh bagels. Store them in an airtight plastic bag to make them last a few days, or store them in the freezer if you look forward to enjoying them in a few months.

If you found this article helpful, please have a look at our other articles like can you freeze creme fraiche, does balsamic vinegar go bad and can you freeze chicken salad.