How To Make Bagel Crisps

You can make bagel crisps easily at home using day-old bagels, a bit of oil, and your favorite seasonings.
 
Making bagel crisps is a brilliant way to rescue those slightly stale bagels sitting in your pantry instead of tossing them out.
 
If you’ve ever wondered how to make bagel crisps that are crunchy, flavorful, and perfect for dipping, you’re in the right place.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through every step of how to make bagel crisps, from slicing and seasoning to baking and storing them.
 
Let’s dive into the simple process of turning humble bagels into irresistible snack crisps.
 

How to Make Bagel Crisps: The Basic Method

The simplest way to make bagel crisps starts with the bagel itself, and the technique is almost foolproof.
 
You don’t need a dehydrator or any fancy equipment to make bagel crisps at home, just an oven and a little patience.
 
Here’s the core idea: slice bagels thin, coat lightly with oil, season generously, and bake low and slow until every bit of moisture is gone.
 
The result is a sturdy, crunchy chip that holds up beautifully to hummus, cream cheese, or even a bowl of soup.
 
Let’s break down how to make bagel crisps in detail so you get perfect results every single time.
 

1. Choose the Right Bagels for Bagel Crisps

When you want to make bagel crisps, starting with slightly stale bagels is actually a huge advantage.
 
Day-old bagels have less moisture, which means they crisp up faster and more evenly than fresh ones.
 
If you only have fresh bagels, that’s fine too, just let them sit out uncovered for a few hours before you start.
 
Any flavor works, but plain, everything, sesame, or asiago bagels all make fantastic crisps.
 
Just keep in mind that sweet bagels like cinnamon raisin can make bagel crisps that are more dessert-like, which is delicious in its own way.
 

2. Slice Bagels Evenly and Thinly

The thickness of your slices determines how crunchy your bagel crisps will be.
 
Aim for slices around 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick, because thicker slices will stay chewy in the center instead of turning crisp.
 
Use a sharp serrated knife and a steady hand, and try to keep every slice as uniform as possible.
 
If some slices are thicker than others, they’ll bake unevenly and some bagel crisps might burn while others remain soft.
 
For the most consistent results, you can even use a mandoline slicer set to a thin setting, but careful with your fingers.
 

3. Oil and Season Your Bagel Crisps

A light coating of oil helps bagel crisps turn golden and crisp while also helping seasonings stick.
 
Use olive oil, avocado oil, or melted butter, and brush it onto both sides of each slice, or toss the slices in a bowl with a drizzle of oil.
 
Now for the fun part, seasonings! Salt and pepper are classic, but you can get creative.
 
Garlic powder, onion powder, dried rosemary, paprika, or even a sprinkle of parmesan cheese all work beautifully on bagel crisps.
 
If your bagels are already an everything style, you might only need a pinch of flaky sea salt.
 

Baking Instructions for Perfect Bagel Crisps

Once your slices are prepped, the baking process is the heart of how to make bagel crisps properly.
 
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C), which is low enough to dry out the bagel slices without burning them.
 
Arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and don’t overlap them.
 
Bake for 15 minutes, then flip each slice and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes.
 
The total baking time can vary depending on the thickness of your slices and the moisture content of your bagels.
 
Your bagel crisps are done when they’re firm, lightly golden, and make a distinct snap when you break one in half.
 
If they still feel slightly pliable in the center, give them another 5 minutes in the oven, because they won’t crisp up more as they cool.
 

1. Air Fryer Method for Bagel Crisps

If you don’t want to heat up your whole oven, you can also make bagel crisps in an air fryer with great success.
 
Set the air fryer to 300°F (150°C) and place the sliced bagels in a single layer in the basket, working in batches if needed.
 
Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
 
Because air fryers circulate hot air so efficiently, your bagel crisps will come out super crunchy and ready in half the time.
 
Just watch them closely at the end because they can go from perfectly crisp to burnt very quickly.
 

2. Microwave Dehydration Trick

You might be surprised to learn you can make bagel crisps in the microwave, but it works best for small batches.
 
Place sliced bagels on a microwave-safe plate lined with a paper towel, and microwave on low power in 30-second intervals.
 
Keep flipping the slices and check them often until they feel dry and crisp, usually within 2 to 3 minutes total.
 
Microwave bagel crisps won’t be as golden as oven-baked ones, but they’ll still be crunchy and perfect for snacking.
 
This method is great when you need bagel crisps in a hurry and only have a few bagels to use up.
 

Flavor Variations to Try with Bagel Crisps

Learning how to make bagel crisps opens up a world of flavor possibilities beyond the classic plain version.
 
You can easily customize your bagel crisps to match whatever you’re craving or what you plan to dip them in.
 
Try a zesty lemon pepper version by combining lemon zest, cracked black pepper, and a little sea salt.
 
Garlic parmesan bagel crisps are a crowd favorite, just mix grated parmesan, garlic powder, and dried parsley.
 
For a spicy kick, sprinkle on some cayenne pepper, chili powder, or even a pinch of smoked paprika.
 
Sweet bagel crisps are also amazing, so toss cinnamon raisin bagel slices with cinnamon sugar and bake them for a dessert-like treat.
 
The options are truly endless once you know the basic how-to for making bagel crisps.
 

1. How to Store Homemade Bagel Crisps

Proper storage keeps your homemade bagel crisps crunchy for days, so you can make a big batch and enjoy them later.
 
Once your bagel crisps have cooled completely, transfer them to an airtight container or a resealable zip-top bag.
 
They’ll stay fresh and crisp for up to two weeks at room temperature, as long as the container is sealed tight.
 
Never store warm bagel crisps in a sealed container because trapped steam will make them soft and chewy.
 
If your bagel crisps do lose their crunch over time, pop them back in a 300°F oven for a few minutes to re-crisp them.
 

2. Best Dips and Pairings for Bagel Crisps

Now that you know how to make bagel crisps, the next question is what to eat them with, and the options are fantastic.
 
Cream cheese is the obvious pairing, but try whipped feta, spinach artichoke dip, or a smoky roasted red pepper hummus.
 
Bagel crisps also shine alongside hearty soups and chunky salads because they add a delightful crunch.
 
Use them as a base for bruschetta toppings, smashed avocado, or even smoked salmon and capers for a fancy appetizer.
 
You can also crush bagel crisps and use them as a breadcrumb substitute for coating chicken or topping casseroles.
 
Once you start making bagel crisps, you’ll find yourself inventing new ways to enjoy them all the time.
 

So, How Do You Make Bagel Crisps Perfectly?

You can make bagel crisps perfectly every time by slicing thin, seasoning well, and baking low and slow until completely dry.
 
The key to making bagel crisps is patience and even heat, whether you use an oven, an air fryer, or even a microwave.
 
Remember that stale bagels work best, but fresh ones are fine if you let them dry out a bit first.
 
With just a few simple ingredients and about 30 minutes, you can turn leftover bagels into the crunchiest homemade snack.
 
Now you know exactly how to make bagel crisps that are better than anything from a store, and your pantry will thank you.
 
So grab those bagels, preheat your oven, and enjoy the delicious satisfaction of making bagel crisps from scratch.