Bagels are yummy, and bagels are fun! Whether it be breakfast or supper, bagels indeed make our day.
Most of all, our craving for bagels is never satisfied with one or two bagels alone. We need a bunch of them to stop the yearning.
The only bad point of bagel is the amount of yeast used in it, as it shortens the life of a bagel. If you are also a bagel lover and hoarder, you must also be concerned about how long bagels last.
The bagels’ storage condition dramatically influences the answer to this query. Therefore, we are here with a detailed piece on the life of bagels and storage tips.
Let’s start with a bagel’s life span under different storage conditions.
Contents
- How Long Do Bagels Last – The Life Span of a Bagel
- How to Store Bagels to Keep Them Fresh for longer?
- Can You Keep Bagels at Room temperature?
- How to Store Bagels at Room Temperature?
- How to Increase the Life of a Bagel?
- How to Store the Bagel in the freezer?
- Things to Consider While Storing Bagels
- Conclusion
How Long Do Bagels Last – The Life Span of a Bagel
A bagel is a distant cousin of bread that is traditionally formed into the shape of a ring out of the yeasted wheat dough using the hands.
Before being baked, it is frequently briefly boiled in water. A bagel is typically stored to preserve its quality and extend its shelf life.
The shelf life of bagels is often the same as that of other everyday bread and baked goods.
If appropriately maintained, bagels can be kept well preserved. However, their storage depends on several circumstances. A general rule of thumb for how long bagels can last when adequately stored is as follows.
At Room Temperature:
Bakery-bought fresh bagels will last around 5-7 days at room temperature. However, they will start to taste stale after the second or third day.
When it comes to homemade bagels, you have to be more careful. When properly stored at the usual room temperature, freshly made bagels can last up to 3 days.
In the Refrigerator:
Softly packed bagels can last 7 to 14 days in the refrigerator.
However, note that the bakery-bought bagels tend to dry out more quickly and go a little stale when kept in the fridge.
Therefore, it is not advisable to store bagels in the refrigerator.
In the Freezer:
You can freeze freshly cooked and soft boxed bagels for up to 6 months.
Note: Almost all bagels have a sell-by or expiration date on their packages, and buyers should constantly double-check these dates.
How to Store Bagels to Keep Them Fresh for longer?
Certain conditions can affect the bagels’ quality and make them stale over time. If you want your bagels to last longer, keep them away from:
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Moisture
To keep bagels mildew-free, they should be kept dry. Therefore, always make sure to completely cool the freshly baked bagels before storing them in an air-tight container. Otherwise, the heat will create moisture in the container, and fungus will grow.
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Sunlight
To keep the mold away, the best possible storage method for bagels is to store them in an air-tight container, in a dark place such as a pantry or cabinet. This will ensure that your bagels will not lose their flavor.
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Excessive Heat
To prevent them from going stale, keep them away from excessive heat since it will dry out their surface. It is better to store them in a freezer or fridge in an air-tight container or a resealable plastic bag.
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Potent Odors
To prevent flavor transfer, store the bagels away from other foods with potent aromas like garlic and onions. Keep them in a sealed bag away from the vegetable box.
Can You Keep Bagels at Room temperature?
Yes, you can store the fresh bakery-bought or homemade bagels at room temperature. However, bagels are more prone to develop mold at room temperature than in the fridge or freezer. Therefore, you should only adequately store bagels at room temperature if you intend to consume them within 3 days.
How to Store Bagels at Room Temperature?
At room temperature, bagels can be kept secure by loosely wrapping or sealing them in a bread bag. Just remember to squeeze out as much air as you can. After that, you can leave the bagels without worry for 2-4 days on the counter.
How to Increase the Life of a Bagel?
Freezing the bagel is the method to keep them fresh for longer. The bagels in the freezer will last up to 4–6 months.
How to Store the Bagel in the freezer?
The right way to store a bagel in the freezer is to cut it in half and put it in an air-tight, resealable bag.
Make sure handmade bagels are absolutely cool before freezing them to keep the mold away.
When the time comes to consume the frozen bagel, take it out of the freezer and put it directly into the toaster. No thawing is necessary!
How to Reheat Bagels? Use a conventional oven or a toaster oven to toast bagels. Place them there for 5-6 minutes after preheating the toaster to 375°F (or 190°C). If they’re really parched, spray some water on them or even give them a little soak in hot water.
Things to Consider While Storing Bagels
Following are the things to take into consideration when you intend to store bagels properly for later use.
Bagels shouldn’t be kept in the fridge: Bagels are frequently believed to keep better in the refrigerator. But that is simply untrue. In fact, the fridge encourages aging.
Don’t wrap bagels too firmly: The crust becomes softer as a result. And as everyone is aware, bagels are famous for their crisp, chewy crust. For bagel storage, stay away from plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
Throw them away immediately if bagels smell fishy: Avoid the temptation to consume a bagel that looks or smells fishy in any way. Remember that many foodborne bacteria are too minute to be seen with the naked eye. Therefore, keep your nose sharp when going for a few days’ older bagel.
Conclusion
How you store them will determine how long bagels last! If kept in a bread bag, bagels can be kept at room temperature for 3 days. They can also be frozen and kept there for 3-4 months. However, refrigerating bagels is not recommended because the bagels go stale in the fridge.
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