To reach recipe one hundred and eighty-three, we are making the ultimate “one-bite” snack that disappeared from the freezer aisle of our childhoods and graduated into a gourmet kitchen staple. Everything Bagel Bits are chewy, salty, and cheese-filled pillows of joy.
The secret to a perfect Bagel Bit is the “Steam-Bake.” To get that authentic bagel “chew” without the hassle of a traditional boil, we use a high-moisture dough and a high-heat oven, which creates a crust that is snappy on the outside but soft enough to yield to a molten cheese center.
🥯 Homemade Everything Bagel Bits
These are far superior to the boxed version because you can control the “stuffing-to-dough” ratio. We’re going heavy on the cream cheese and the seasoning.
| Category | Details |
| Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Cook Time | 12–15 minutes |
| Total Time | 35 minutes |
| Yield | 24 Bits |
🍴 Ingredients
- 1 tube (13.8 oz) Refrigerated Pizza Crust dough (or pre-made bagel dough)
- 1 block (8 oz) Cream Cheese, cold and cut into 24 small cubes
- 1 Egg (for egg wash)
- 3 tbsp Everything Bagel Seasoning (sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic, onion, salt)
- Optional: Diced jalapeños or cooked bacon bits to press into the cheese centers
👩🍳 Instructions
1. The Dough Prep
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unroll your pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface. Stretch it slightly into a large rectangle.
2. The Partition
- Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, cut the dough into 24 equal squares (a 4×6 grid works perfectly).
3. The Stuffing
- Place one cube of cold cream cheese in the center of each dough square.
- Pro-Tip: Cold cream cheese is much easier to wrap! If it’s too soft, it will leak out in the oven.
- Pull the corners of the dough up around the cheese and pinch the seams tightly to seal. Roll the ball between your palms to make it a smooth sphere.
4. The Everything Wash
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg with a splash of water.
- Brush the top of each dough ball with the egg wash.
- Generously dip the wet top of each ball into a bowl of Everything Bagel Seasoning (or sprinkle it over the top if you prefer a lighter touch).
5. The Bake
- Place the bits on the baking sheet, seam-side down.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until the dough is a deep golden brown and the cheese inside is hot.
The “Dipping” Strategy: While these are perfect on their own, serving them with a side of warm marinara or a honey mustard dip turns them from a snack into a full-blown appetizer experience.
