How To Make Bagel Chips At Home

You can make bagel chips at home with just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of oven time.
 
It’s one of the easiest snacks to whip up, especially when you have a few stale bagels sitting on the counter.
 
Making homemade bagel chips is a fantastic way to reduce food waste while creating something crunchy, savory, and totally addictive.
 
Whether you’re looking for a dipper for hummus, a topping for soup, or just a crunchy snack, knowing how to make bagel chips at home will save you money and taste better than store-bought versions.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through the entire process, from slicing to seasoning, so you can master making bagel chips at home with confidence.
 
Let’s dive right in.
 

Why Make Bagel Chips at Home?

Making bagel chips at home is not only simple but also incredibly rewarding.
 
When you learn how to make bagel chips at home, you take full control over the flavor, thickness, and crunch level.
 
Store-bought bagel chips often contain preservatives, excess salt, and artificial flavors.
 
But when you make bagel chips at home, you can use high-quality oils, fresh herbs, and your favorite seasonings.
 
Plus, this method turns leftover bagels into a gourmet snack that feels way more special than the packaged stuff.
 
Another big reason to make bagel chips at home is the cost savings.
 
A bag of artisanal bagel chips can cost five dollars or more, but you can make bagel chips at home for pennies.
 
And if you’re wondering whether this is a beginner-friendly project, the answer is a resounding yes.
 
Even if you’ve never baked anything beyond cookies, you can absolutely make bagel chips at home on your very first try.
 

The Best Bagels to Use for Homemade Bagel Chips

Before we get into the technique, let’s talk about which bagels work best.
 
Actually, any bagel works, but stale ones are absolutely ideal.
 
If you have day-old or two-day-old bagels that have started to firm up, those are perfect for making bagel chips at home.
 
The slightly dried texture means they’ll crisp up faster and hold their shape better in the oven.
 
Fresh bagels can also be used, but you’ll need to slice them thinner and bake them a little longer.
 
Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
 

1. Choose Your Flavor Base

Plain bagels are a blank canvas for making bagel chips at home.
 
Everything bagels already have that iconic seasoning blend of garlic, onion, sesame, and poppy seeds.
 
If you use everything bagels, you might not need much extra seasoning at all.
 
But if you want a specific flavor profile like rosemary or cheddar, start with plain or slightly flavored bagels.
 

2. Slice Them Thinly and Evenly

The key to making bagel chips at home that are uniformly crunchy is consistent thickness.
 
Aim for slices that are about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.
 
Use a serrated knife and a gentle sawing motion to avoid squishing the bagel.
 
This even slicing ensures every chip bakes at the same rate, so you don’t end up with burnt edges and soft centers.
 

3. Mix Up Your Bagels for Variety

When you make bagel chips at home, feel free to use a mix of different bagel types in one batch.
 
Combine plain, everything, and even cinnamon raisin bagels for a sweet and savory snack platter.
 
Just keep in mind that sweet bagels pair best with cinnamon sugar, while savory bagels love garlic and herbs.
 
This variety makes your homemade bagel chips a hit at parties and gatherings.
 

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Bagel Chips at Home

Now let’s get into the actual method for making bagel chips at home.
 
You’ll only need a few basic kitchen tools, so there’s no special equipment required.
 
Here’s exactly how you do it.
 

1. Preheat Your Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
 
This moderate temperature is perfect for drying out the bagel slices slowly without burning them.
 
If your oven runs hot, you can drop it to 325°F for extra safety.
 
While the oven heats up, prepare a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
 

2. Slice Your Bagels

As mentioned above, use a serrated knife to slice your bagels as thinly as possible.
 
You want the slices to be uniform so they bake evenly.
 
Lay the slices in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet.
 
Don’t overcrowd them because the chips need room for hot air to circulate.
 

3. Brush with Oil and Season

Next, brush each bagel slice lightly with olive oil or melted butter.
 
This fat helps the chips crisp up and also helps seasonings stick.
 
You can use a pastry brush or simply drizzle and toss if you’re making a big batch.
 
Then sprinkle your seasonings evenly over the slices.
 
Classic options include garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, sea salt, and black pepper.
 
If you want a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika.
 
For everything bagel chips, mix sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic flakes, and dried onion flakes in a small bowl and sprinkle liberally.
 

4. Bake and Flip

Bake the bagel slices for about 10 minutes.
 
Then, carefully flip each slice using tongs or a spatula.
 
Bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, keeping a close eye on them.
 
The total baking time will vary slightly based on your oven and the thickness of your slices.
 
Your bagel chips are done when they’re golden brown, dry to the touch, and feel firm and crisp.
 

5. Cool Completely

This step is crucial when you make bagel chips at home.
 
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the chips cool directly on the pan.
 
As they cool, they will harden even more, so don’t panic if they feel slightly soft right out of the oven.
 
Allow them to cool completely before storing or serving.
 

Flavor Variations for Your Homemade Bagel Chips

Once you master the basic method of making bagel chips at home, you can experiment with endless flavor combos.
 
Here are a few of my absolute favorites to get you inspired.
 

1. Garlic Parmesan Bagel Chips

After brushing the bagel slices with oil, sprinkle them with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and garlic powder.
 
The cheese melts and crisps up around the edges, giving you a rich, nutty flavor.
 
This is one of the most requested variations in my house.
 

2. Cinnamon Sugar Bagel Chips

For a sweet treat, make bagel chips at home that taste like a cinnamon-sugar pastry.
 
Brush the bagel slices with melted butter instead of oil.
 
Then mix together two tablespoons of sugar with one teaspoon of cinnamon and sprinkle it over the chips.
 
Bake them until they’re crispy and serve them with coffee or tea.
 

3. Spicy Chili Lime Bagel Chips

If you like a little zing, combine chili powder, garlic powder, lime zest, and a pinch of salt.
 
After baking, you can even squeeze fresh lime juice over the chips while they’re still warm.
 
These are perfect for dipping in guacamole or salsa.
 

How to Store Homemade Bagel Chips

Proper storage will keep your bagel chips fresh and crunchy.
 
Once fully cooled, transfer the chips to an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag.
 
They’ll stay crisp for up to one week at room temperature.
 
If you live in a humid climate, you might want to keep them in the fridge, but this isn’t necessary.
 
You can also freeze homemade bagel chips for up to three months.
 
Just place them in a freezer-safe bag, and when you’re ready, pop them in a toaster oven to re-crisp.
 

So, How Do You Make Bagel Chips at Home?

Making bagel chips at home is as simple as slicing, oiling, seasoning, and baking.
 
You can make bagel chips at home using any type of bagel you have on hand.
 
The process is forgiving, fast, and completely customizable to your taste buds.
 
Whether you go savory with garlic and herbs or sweet with cinnamon sugar, you’ll end up with a snack that beats anything from a bag.
 
So next time you’re wondering what to do with those stale bagels, now you know exactly how to make bagel chips at home.
 
Pull out a cutting board, preheat your oven, and enjoy the crunch of your very own homemade bagel chips.