Creamy Bacon Cheddar Bagels

Creamy Bacon Cheddar Bagels are everything you want when comfort food meets brunch-worthy indulgence. From the very first bite, these warm, toasted bagels deliver rich creaminess, savory bacon, and sharp cheddar in perfect balance. Meanwhile, because the bagels bake instead of fry, the texture stays fluffy inside with lightly crisp edges. Additionally, this recipe comes together quickly, which makes it ideal for relaxed weekends or effortless entertaining.

Interestingly, loaded bagels became popular in American home kitchens as a creative way to transform simple bakery staples into hearty meals. Over time, cooks began layering cheeses, meats, and spreads, turning bagels into satisfying, oven-baked favorites. As a result, this version feels nostalgic yet modern.

Whether you serve them for brunch, lunch, or a cozy breakfast-for-dinner moment, these bagels always impress. Most importantly, they look beautiful, taste indulgent, and feel homemade in the best possible way.

Recipe Yield: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

4 plain bagels, sliced in half
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
2 Tbsp sour cream
1 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp chopped chives

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat and prepare:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Meanwhile, place bagel halves cut-side up on a lined baking sheet.

2. Mix the creamy base:
In a bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, melted butter, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and spreadable.

3. Assemble the bagels:
Next, spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over each bagel half. Then, sprinkle cheddar cheese generously on top, followed by chopped bacon.

4. Bake until bubbly:
Transfer to the oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, lightly golden, and bubbling.

5. Finish and serve:
Finally, remove from the oven. If desired, sprinkle a little extra crispy bacon over the bagels for added texture, then garnish with fresh chives. Serve warm for the best texture and flavor.

Helpful Tips to Perfect This Recipe

• Use room-temperature cream cheese: This ensures a smoother spread, which helps the topping melt evenly and look luxurious after baking.
• Bake on the middle rack: Because heat circulates more evenly there, the cheese melts without over-browning the bagels.
• Cook bacon until crisp, not chewy: Fully crisp bacon holds its texture in the oven and adds contrast to the creamy cheese without becoming greasy.