Bought a couple more bagels than usual, and wondering how much time you have until they go stale? How long do bagels last? Show Or maybe you’re wondering what’s the best method of storing them so that they stay fresh longer. How do you store bagels? If either sounds familiar, this article is for you. In it, we’re going to talk about:
Interested in learning more? Read on. Tip While I focus on store-bought bagels in this article, the same rules apply to homemade bagels. 
Most fresh bagels keep quality for 2 to 5 days if you leave them on the counter and sealed. If you put them in the fridge, you get an extra day or two of storage, but they often go stale faster. Finally, bagels that you freeze retain quality for at least 3 months. Those estimates are pretty safe and work for most types of bagels. Of course, some bakeries make bagels that last even 10 days ([ODD]), but your typical bagel will start to stiffen up after 2 to 3 days of storage. Tip Your personal preferences are at least as important as the guidelines above. If you love the crisp crust or chewy interior of a freshly-baked bagel, but don’t particularly enjoy ones that sit on the counter for more than a day or two, try freezing any excess bagels and see how it goes. Like with bread or a baguette, besides knowing the rough shelf life of bagels, you also need to know how to store them properly. Related: How Long Does Bread Last? How To Store BagelsYou can leave your bagels in their paper bag if you’re going to eat them within a day or so. If you want to keep them for several days, transfer them into a plastic bag. You can also refrigerate bagels, and that requires a bag or an airtight container to keep them sealed. Leaving bagels on the counter in a half-open paper bag isn’t the best storage method, but it works okay if you’re going to eat that bagel the day it was baked. For longer storage, chucking your bagels in a resealable bag (e.g., a freezer bag) is one of the most popular options. Warning While storing your bagel in a plastic bag keeps it from going stale for a few extra days, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. That bagel might gradually lose its crust and become bready ([NB]). Test yours to know if it keeps well in that bag or not. Another option is to let it sit unsealed (and go stale) and then revive the bagel by spritzing it with about a dozen water droplets ([NB]) and toasting it whole. That should bring back its softness. If you toast your bagels anyway, try out this method. If you decide to refrigerate your bagels, make sure they’re sealed tight (e.g., in a freezer bag or airtight container). A tight seal keeps them from drying out and absorbing any strong smells. The same applies to similar baked goods, such as focaccia bread. Related: How to store focaccia bread? And if you’re not quite fond of your bagels after a few days in the fridge, toast them in the toaster before eating. Last but not least, there’s freezing. Freezing bagels is a super simple way to preserve them. It takes only a couple of minutes, and if you freeze bread or freeze hamburger buns, you already know how to go about it. Tip Many bakeries recommend freezing bagels that you won’t consume within 2 to 3 days. It’s worth a try if you haven’t already. Do Bagels Go Bad? How To Tell If Your Bagel Has Gone Bad?Bagels, sooner or later, grow mold. Those preservative-free ones might go moldy after a week or so, while others keep safe for longer. But most bagels become stale after only 3 to 4 days of storage, and that’s when most people discard them. Of course, even after hardening, bagels are okay to eat ([ODD]), assuming there’s no mold or any other visual or smell changes. The issue is that stale bagels taste so-so at best, and that’s why stale baked goods often end up in the trash can. There are two ways you can freshen your stale bagels:
If you often end up with stale bagels, try both of these methods and see what works best for you. Tip If you need a fresh bagel for breakfast on a busy weekday morning, reviving your stale bagel in the microwave is definitely worth testing out. Frequently Asked Questions about BagelsDo bagels need to be refrigerated? Definitely not. It only makes sense to keep your bagels in the fridge if it’s hot and humid (e.g., it’s the middle of summer) where you usually store them. That combination accelerates the hardening of bagels, and storing them in the fridge instead solves the issue. How long do bagels last in the fridge? While bagels keep for about 3 to 7 days in the refrigerator, most bakeries advise against chilling bagels in the refrigerator. While the low temperature slows down any mold growth ([ODD]), the bagel often goes stale even faster. Toasting those bagels might be a must to get decent quality. Sources
How can you tell if a bagel is bad?How to Tell if Bagels Have Gone Bad (4 Signs). Discoloration. The first thing to do is look over your bagel. ... . Mold. Speaking of mold, mold is another primary indicator that your bagels have gone bad, and they need to be tossed immediately. ... . Odd Smell. Another red flag is the smell. ... . Hard Texture.. How long can a bagel sit out?Left out, bagels will become stale in a day, so it's essential to store them properly. If you're dealing with a freshly-baked bagel, cooled, and stored in a sealed plastic bag, you can expect it to stay fresh for about five days. But you can significantly extend their lifespan by freezing them.
Do bagels go bad fast?Most fresh bagels keep quality for 2 to 5 days if you leave them on the counter and sealed. If you put them in the fridge, you get an extra day or two of storage, but they often go stale faster. Finally, bagels that you freeze retain quality for at least 3 months.
Can a bagel go bad?However, bagels are best when eaten within a few days of baking. They will begin to harden soon after that, and the quality decreases quickly. Most bagels grow stale after only 3 to 4 days of storage, and most people toss them at that point.
|
How long does it take for a bagel to go bad?
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 ShotOnMac Inc.
