20+ Types of Bagels You Must Try This Year

It’s so much fun to meet up with friends in your favorite city’s eatery and customize your bagel brunch with some delicious toppings. It’s almost a quintessential New York City practice to run out for some bagels and cream cheese at some point in your working week.

Did you know that there are over 20 different types of bagels? Discover your newest breakfast or brunch favorites, from the classic poppy seed or cinnamon raisin bagel to the more adventurous bagel flavors like French toast or cheddar.

But before you start toasting and topping, let’s explore the different styles and many evolving types of bagels.

Quick Answer

What are bagels?

The bagel is a bread roll characterized by its glossy, crispy crust and chewy, doughy insides. It's shaped by hand with a hole in the middle. Known as the original bakery favorite, the bagel has climbed the culinary ladder over time, resulting in an entire food phenomenon reflected in today's bagel brunch scene. They are commonly eaten as a breakfast dish and are usually served toasted and covered with popular bagel toppings.

1. Plain bagels

The original, plain, O.G. bagel is still a winner when toasted and topped with anything — the options are endless. Perhaps add avocado and everything bagel seasoning for a toasty creation, or add pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese for build-your-own pizzas.

2. Cinnamon raisin bagels

Cinnamon raisin bagels have the perfect combination of sweet and spicy and are glorious when toasted with butter. You can even pair this bagel with a sweet or savory cream cheese.

3. Blueberry bagels

A fruity pop for your breakfast, blueberries are mixed into the dough to create this blue-tinged bagel favorite. Spread with plain or sweet mixed cream cheese to complete your breakfast dish.

4. Poppy seed bagels

Poppy seed bagels are another favorite among bagel connoisseurs. They’re crunchy, fruity and versatile enough to top with anything.  

5. Everything bagels

The classic combination of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, caraway seeds, dried onion, garlic, salt and black pepper is what gives the everything bagel its name. Once toasted, the flavor is nutty, complex and crunchy. 

6. Onion bagels

One of the most popular types of bagels is the onion bagel, flavored with onion powder and topped with dried onions. It has a rich, aromatic flavor and pairs well with many savory toppings. 

7. Garlic bagels

The garlic bagel is another aromatic bagel flavor with a similar bold taste to the onion bagel. Your breath won’t thank you for it, but your taste buds will.  

8. Sesame bagels

Sesame bagels are super versatile to accommodate most toppings and have a delicately nutty flavor. Top it with an egg and avocado for an easy breakfast sandwich.

9. Pumpernickel bagels

Made using pumpernickel, a dark-colored, dense German bread, these bagels have a bold flavor. Keep things simple with butter or cream cheese to let the bagel’s unique flavor shine.

10. Whole wheat bagels

Whole wheat bagels can be covered with any toppings, and you can worry less about carb loading. Add turkey bacon and egg whites for a low-calorie meal.

11. Oat bran bagels

These bagels offer a lighter, slightly sweeter bagel flavor and are made with oat bran instead of whole wheat flour. Pair this type of bagel with a sweet or savory cream cheese.

12. Cheddar bagels

Cheese is baked into the bagel dough as well as sprinkled on top. Cheddar bagels are best paired with toppings such as avocado or cream cheese.

13. French toast bagels

French toast bagels are a little bit soft and a little bit sweet from being soaked in a French toast mixture before being refrigerated. These bagels pair well with sweetened bacon and savory toppings like eggs and cheese.  

14. Egg bagels

Softer than your usual bagel’s crispy crust, egg bagels are moist in texture and slightly sweet in flavor. Pair with cream cheese for a perfect sweet and salty combination.

15. Salt bagels

One of the rarer bagel types, salt bagels are often stuffed with sweet-style cream cheese or jam. You can also add egg, breakfast sausage and hot sauce to create a tasty mixture of flavors.

16. Asiago bagels

Named after the Italian cheese used in the dough, Asiago bagels are rich, salty and baked to perfection. They’re an ideal base for bacon, egg and cheese toppings. 

17. Sourdough bagels

A sourdough bagel has a distinct texture and taste due to the leavening reaction of the sourdough starter. The key to this bagel is to focus on ramping up the toppings.

18. Multigrain bagels

To create multigrain bagels, the dough is cooked with millet, oat bran, flax, whole wheat and barley, then topped with other seeds like sunflower seeds, sesame or chia. Such a hearty bagel deserves a decadent topping like honey butter.

19. Chocolate chip bagels

Chocolate makes everything better, and a chocolate chip bagel is no exception. Soft, sweet and studded with rich chocolate chips, these bagels taste great toasted with butter that melts into every doughy pore.  

20. Rainbow bagels

An unconventional yet popular bagel flavor is the rainbow bagel, which went viral after it was popularized by The Bagel Store in Brooklyn. This colorful invention is created by spinning vivid, multicolored strands of bagel dough into one. This fun bagel is all about the colors but also has a delightful sugary finish and a tinge of vanilla. 

21. Jalapeno bagels

For those seeking a fiery kick, jalapeño bagels are the perfect choice. This type of bagel packs a punch with jalapeño peppers baked into the dough or sprinkled on top. Enjoy them with a dollop of cream cheese for a classic pairing, or elevate your breakfast with a spicy jalapeño egg sandwich.

How many types of bagels are there?

Did you know that there are over 20 different types of bagels? From the classic poppy seed or cinnamon raisin bagel to the more adventurous bagel flavors like French toast or cheddar, discover your quintessential breakfast or brunch favorites.

There are some areas that claim to master a different style of bagel, which they then put their name on. These bagel styles include New York-style, Montreal-style, and St Louis-style bagels.

New York-style bagel

New York City's bagel empire has been built around its famous New York-style bagel which is uniquely created through a blend of passion and culinary science. One of the now commonly known aspects of the process is they cold-ferment the dough by leaving it in the refrigerator for a few days. They’re also bigger and more pliable than other bagel styles.

Montreal-style bagel

In Montreal, the other bagel mecca of North America, Montreal-style bagels are smaller, sweeter, and crispier as a result of adding flavor-enhancing honey and eggs and being cooked in wood-burning ovens. In comparison, their New York counterparts often use gas or electric ovens. 

St Louis-style bagel

Causing annoyance amongst the New York-style bagel enthusiasts, the St. Louis-style bagel is sliced vertically multiple times, like a loaf of bread, using a bread slicer. This actually results in more surface area available for slathering spreads such as cream cheese or mustard. It isn't suited to anyone who wants to create sandwiches, though.

Popular types of bagel toppings

Some bagels and toppings work together in perfect unison, but culinary freedom means you can top your favorite bagel type with absolutely anything you like! If you need some guidance, here are some popular types of bagel toppings.

• Traditional butter: Works well on cinnamon raisin or chocolate chip bagels
• Chocolate hazelnut spread or honey: Try with plainer bagel types
• Pastrami and sauerkraut: Smudge on a little mustard, too 
• Pizza bagel:  A classic combination of tomato sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni 
• Cream cheese and scallions: Pairs well with an everything bagel or on garlic bagels
• Cream cheese and lox (cured salmon): Ideal for onion or garlic bagels 
• Eggs, cheese and maple bacon: Works well on French toast bagels 

How are bagels made?

Bagel dough is made using flour, oil, yeast, spices, water and a small amount of malt. Here’s how the dough is handled to create a bagel: 

1. The dough is shaped by hand into the quintessential circle shape.
2. The bagel dough is cooked in boiling water for a couple of minutes to seal in the flavor.
3. Bagels are then browned in the oven to get a crispy exterior along with a dense, chewy interior.
4. Depending on the type of bagel, the outer crust is often topped with seeds or cheese.

Bagel recipes to try

Now that you’re more familiar with the different types of bagels, it’s time to put a few to the taste test. Try out these easy bagel recipes that are perfect for all occasions.

• Everything bagel
• Homemade blueberry bagel
• Smoked salmon bagel sandwich
• Classic pizza bagels
• Caprese breakfast bagel sandwich
• Bacon, egg and cheese breakfast bagel

Final thoughts to munch on

Bagels are incredibly versatile and are ideal for a cheap, filling meal on the go or a casual brunch at home with some friends. But you don’t need to go to New York City — or even a bagel deli — to try these different types of bagels.

Keep your pantry stocked up with some delicious fresh bagels and bagel topping supplies so you can create brunch at home. Have your favorite bagels delivered to your doorstep the same day by shopping through Instacart. 

Looking for more breakfast and brunch options? Check out these breakfast sandwich recipes for more inspiration.