Between all the different ways you can boil up a homemade bagel and the smorgasbord of schmears out there to spread on top, these bread rings are anything but boring. But there’s always room for improvement. We’ve gathered up 12 recipes here that manage to take regular old bagels from basic to boss for all-day-long enjoyment.

1. Chex Mix Recipe: Homemade bagel chips and pasta crackers — yes, crackers made from pasta — enhance a favorite after-school snack. (via Runway Chef)

2. Barbecue Bacon Gouda Cheeseburgers on Homemade Bagel Buns: All of the meats and cheeses are drizzled with barbecue sauce and sandwiched in the middle of a chewy bagel bun to make these awesome burgers. (via Gringalicious)

3. Bagel French Toast: Whether you make French toast with bagels or challah or any old sliced bread, one thing’s for sure: It’s always a welcome presence on the breakfast table. (via Sprinkled Side Up)

4. Smoked Salmon Bagel Grilled Cheese: Transform the usual smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel into a melty-middled creation with this recipe featuring cream cheese, gruyere and a host of flavor-enhancing accompaniments. (via BS in the Kitchen)

5. BLT Salad: Toss together spinach, tomatoes, bacon, cheese and onion-garlic bagel croutons to create this unique take on the BLT. (via So Hungry I Could Blog)

6. Bagel Man Bites: Step away from the freezer aisle. Instead, make your own custom-topped bagel bites in no time at all. (via The Little Epicurean)

7. Bagel, Broccoli and Spinach Strata: Bread pudding takes a turn for the savory in this hearty strata. Assembled the night before, you’ll have breakfast on the table before you even have your first cup of coffee. (via Eats Well With Others)

8. Cinnamon Bun Bagel Bread Pudding: Capture all of the flavors of your favorite cinnamon bun with an out-of-this-world casserole. Yum! (via An Edible Mosaic)

9. Salmon and Bagel Eggs Benedict: Bagels and lox meets Eggs Benedict with this delicious brunch fusion. (via Foodie Crush)

10. Bagel Chips: These bagel chips take a maybe not-so-fresh bagel and transform it into a delightfully crunchy, buttery snack. Serve them up alongside your favoritedip! (via Sprinkled Side Up)

11. Prosciutto, Pear and Gorgonzola Bagel Bites: Bagel bites take a grownup turn in this version topped with an assortment of perfect-for-fall adornments. (via The Spiffy Cookie)

12. Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake Bagel: Given the bagel’s affinity for cream cheese, it’s only natural that they would work just as well topped with cheesecake. Give this blueberry-lemon-curd-mascarpone creation a go ASAP. (via Kitchen Sanctuary)

What’s your favorite way to take a bagel from drab to fab? Fill us in below!

Heather Sage
Heather Sage is a gluten-free recipe developer and freelance writer living in Orlando by way of the Silicon Valley. When she isn’t playing around with alternative flours in the kitchen, she can be found tackling DIY projects around the house or exploring her neighborhood. Check out her gluten-free recipe blog, A Sage Amalgam.