Crispy Bagel Bites Recipe

Crispy Bagel Bites: A Fun Snack Recipe Everyone Will Love

Bagel lovers rejoice as these crispy bagel bites bring restaurant-quality snacking right to your kitchen.

Packed with irresistible flavor, this crispy bagel bites recipe delivers a perfect crunch in every single bite.

Bite-sized and golden brown, these little gems are surprisingly simple to create.

Each morsel promises a delightful texture that crunches beautifully between your teeth.

The combination of herbs and seasonings elevates these small rounds from ordinary to extraordinary.

Serve them as an appetizer or enjoy them as a midday snack that’ll keep you coming back for more.

These versatile bites will quickly become your new favorite crowd-pleasing recipe.

Crispy Bagel Bites That Everyone Wants More Of

  • Perfect appetizer or snack that comes together in minutes with minimal ingredients and simple steps.
  • Easily customize with different cream cheese flavors, seasonings, or herbs to match any taste preference or occasion.
  • Engaging recipe where children can help roll and cut pinwheels, making meal preparation a fun family activity.
  • Impressive bite-sized treat that looks elegant but requires minimal culinary skills, ideal for gatherings, potlucks, or casual get-togethers.

The Best Ingredients For Crunchy Bagel Bites

Base Ingredients:
  • Tortilla: A flexible, round flatbread that serves as the foundation for these crispy bagel bites.
  • Cream Cheese: A smooth, creamy spread that provides rich flavor and helps bind the tortilla roll.
  • Butter: A key ingredient for cooking and adding golden, crispy texture to the pinwheels.
Seasoning Group:
  • Seasoning: A flavor enhancer that adds extra taste and depth to the bagel bites.
Kitchen Essentials:
  • Butter Knife, Skillet: Basic kitchen tools necessary for preparing and cooking the pinwheels.

Must-Have Tools For Bagel Bite Success

  • Skillet: Essential for cooking pinwheels with even, golden-brown crispiness.
  • Butter knife: Perfect for spreading cream cheese smoothly across the tortilla.
  • Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for rolling and slicing tortilla into bite-sized pieces.
  • Sharp knife: Helps create clean, precise cuts for uniform pinwheels.

Turning Bagels Into Bite-Sized Perfection

Step 1: Prepare Tortilla Base

Grab a soft tortilla and lay it flat on a clean cutting board.

Take a butter knife and generously spread cream cheese across the entire surface, ensuring an even coating from edge to edge.

  • Cream cheese
  • Tortilla

Sprinkle your favorite seasoning blend over the cream cheese for an extra flavor punch.

Step 2: Create Pinwheel Rolls

Roll the tortilla tightly from one end to the other, creating a compact log shape.

Use a sharp knife to slice the log into bite-sized medallions.

Each large tortilla typically yields around 9 perfect pinwheel bites.

Step 3: Sizzle And Crisp

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add butter.

Once the butter melts and begins to sizzle, carefully place the pinwheel bites into the pan.

Gently turn them to ensure all sides get golden and crispy.

Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.

Step 4: Cool And Serve

Remove the crispy bagel bites from the skillet and place them on a plate.

Let them rest for about 5 minutes, allowing the cream cheese to slightly firm up.

This brief cooling period helps enhance their texture and makes them easier to handle.

Enjoy these delightful, crispy pinwheel bites as a quick snack or appetizer that’s sure to impress!

Tricks For Super Crunchy Bagel Bites

  • Use a soft, room temperature cream cheese for effortless, even spreading across the tortilla without tearing.
  • Ensure the tortilla is tightly rolled to prevent the pinwheels from unraveling during cooking and maintain a compact shape.
  • Watch the skillet temperature carefully to achieve golden-brown crispiness without burning the delicate pinwheels.
  • Let the bagel bites rest briefly to allow cream cheese to set and develop a firmer texture for easier handling.
  • Experiment with different herb and spice blends to customize flavor profiles and add extra zest to your pinwheels.

Bagel Bite Makeovers For Snack Lovers

  • Dairy-Free Delight: Replace cream cheese with mashed avocado or hummus for a vegan-friendly option that's creamy and packed with flavor.
  • Protein Power: Add diced ham, shredded chicken, or smoked salmon to the cream cheese for extra protein and a more substantial snack.
  • Spicy Sensation: Mix hot sauce or sriracha into the cream cheese, or sprinkle with red pepper flakes for a spicy kick that will wake up your taste buds.
  • Herb Garden Remix: Blend fresh herbs like chives, dill, or basil into the cream cheese for a fresh, aromatic variation that elevates the simple pinwheels.

Party-Ready Ways To Serve Bagel Bites

  • Cozy Game Night Munchies: Perfect for sharing these crispy bagel bites with friends during board game sessions or movie marathons.
  • Elegant Appetizer Platter: Arrange the pinwheels beautifully on a wooden board with fresh herbs and additional seasoning sprinkled around for a gourmet presentation.
  • Quick Dipping Delights: Serve alongside ranch, marinara, or spicy aioli sauce for extra flavor excitement and allow guests to customize their snacking experience.
  • Lunchbox Star: Pack these cool pinwheels in kids' lunchboxes or adult lunch containers for a delicious midday protein-packed treat that stays crispy until mealtime.

Bagel Bite Storage Tips For Crispiness

  • Store leftover bagel bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
  • Wrap cooled bagel bites individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 1 month to maintain best quality and texture.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange bites on a baking sheet and warm for 5-7 minutes until crispy and heated through. Avoid microwave to keep original crunchiness.
  • Melt a small amount of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Gently warm bagel bites for 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even heating and restore crispiness.

FAQs

  • What type of tortilla works best for this recipe?

Large flour tortillas are ideal because they’re soft, pliable, and provide the perfect base for rolling and creating crispy pinwheels.

  • Can I use different cream cheese flavors?

Absolutely! You can experiment with plain, herb, garlic, or even flavored cream cheese to add variety and enhance the taste of your bagel bites.

  • How do I prevent the pinwheels from unraveling during cooking?

Roll the tortilla tightly and secure it with a toothpick if needed. When cutting, ensure each piece is compact and uniform to maintain its shape while cooking.

Print
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Crispy Bagel Bites Recipe

Crispy Bagel Bites Recipe


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4.6 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 14 minutes
  • Yield: 1 1x

Description

Crispy bagel bites combine New York-style dough with irresistible toppings for a snack that delights crowds. Crunchy edges and savory flavors make these mini morsels perfect for sharing with friends and family.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 large flour tortilla
  • 23 tablespoons (3045 ml) cream cheese

Seasoning:

  • Everything Bagel seasoning (to taste)

Fat/Binding Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) butter

Instructions

  1. Generously coat the tortilla with cream cheese using a smooth, even motion, ensuring complete coverage and sprinkle the chosen seasoning across the surface.
  2. Carefully roll the tortilla into a compact cylindrical shape, applying gentle pressure to maintain a tight formation, then slice the log into uniform bite-sized segments approximately 1-inch thick.
  3. Place a skillet over medium-high heat, allowing the butter to melt and create a golden cooking surface with slight bubbling, then gently introduce the pinwheel segments.
  4. Rotate the pinwheels frequently during cooking, allowing each side to develop a crisp, golden-brown exterior, which typically requires 3-4 minutes of continuous attention.
  5. Remove the pinwheels from the heat and transfer to a cooling rack, permitting them to rest for 5-6 minutes, which helps the cream cheese solidify and enhances the overall texture and flavor profile.

Notes

  • Select soft, fresh tortillas for the best texture and easier rolling.
  • Experiment with different cream cheese flavors like herb, jalapeño, or garlic to add variety.
  • Pat tortillas dry with paper towels before spreading cream cheese to prevent sogginess.
  • Chill rolled tortillas for 10 minutes before cutting to help maintain their shape during cooking.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 400 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Marcus Reed

Marcus Reed

Founder & Food Content Creator

Expertise

Single-recipe development, Seasonal and local ingredient utilization, Food photography and styling, Culinary writing and content creation​

Education

Culinary Arts Certificate, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, WV
Focus: Fundamentals of culinary techniques, emphasizing hands-on experience in small-scale kitchen settings.


Marcus’s story begins in Asheville, where good food and family kitchens shaped his earliest memories. After hands-on culinary training and a lot of trial (and a little error), he realized that real cooking isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection.
At Pan and Oven, Marcus crafts recipes that are easy to follow, packed with flavor, and built for real kitchens.

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