Bagel Breakfast Sliders Delight

This hearty bagel breakfast slider recipe transforms ordinary mini bagels into a crowd-pleasing morning feast that's perfect for weekend brunches or meal prep. The combination of fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and melty cheese nestled between cream cheese-slathered bagels creates an irresistible breakfast experience that will become your new go-to morning indulgence.

I first made these sliders for a holiday breakfast when family was visiting from out of town. The pan was empty before I could even sit down, and now they've become our tradition whenever we have overnight guests.

Ingredients

• Eggs: Forms the protein-rich base for our sliders use free-range for best flavor
• Milk: Creates fluffier scrambled eggs with a silkier texture
• Bacon: Adds savory crispiness and depth look for thick-cut for extra texture
• Mini bagels: The perfect size for sliders choose plain or your favorite variety
• Cream cheese: Creates a luscious base layer prevents bagels from getting soggy
• Cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully and adds rich flavor sharp varieties work best
• Butter: Helps the bagel tops become golden and holds seasonings in place
• Seasoning blend: Creates that classic everything bagel flavor profile adjust to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Your Baking Dish:

Preheat your oven to 350°F and thoroughly coat your baking dish with cooking spray. This step is crucial as it prevents the bagels from sticking to the dish once the cheese melts and creates that perfect golden bottom.

Prepare The Egg Mixture:

In a large bowl, vigorously beat the eggs and milk until the mixture becomes light and frothy with small bubbles forming on the surface. The milk adds richness and helps create tender scrambled eggs that remain moist during baking.

Cook The Bacon:

Place your bacon strips in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until they reach your desired level of crispness around 8 to 10 minutes depending on thickness. The bacon should be fully cooked but still slightly pliable for easy assembly. Remove the crispy strips to paper towels but save that flavorful fat.

Create Perfect Scrambled Eggs:

Pour your frothy egg mixture into the skillet with about a tablespoon of the reserved bacon fat. Immediately reduce the heat to medium low. Using gentle folding motions with your spatula rather than aggressive stirring creates larger curds with a tender texture. When eggs are nearly set but still slightly glossy season with salt and pepper and fold in the fresh chives.

Assemble The Base Layer:

Spread cream cheese evenly across the bottom halves of your mini bagels. The cream cheese creates a moisture barrier that keeps the bagels from becoming soggy while adding creamy richness. Arrange these cream cheese topped bagel bottoms side by side in your prepared baking dish.

Layer The Fillings:

Distribute the scrambled eggs evenly over the cream cheese layer making sure each bagel gets a generous portion. Break the bacon strips into bagel sized pieces and arrange them over the eggs. Top with an even layer of shredded cheddar cheese ensuring it reaches the edges for that Instagram worthy cheese pull.

Add The Bagel Tops:

Place the bagel top halves over the assembled sliders creating complete sandwiches. Press down gently to compact the fillings slightly but avoid squishing them completely.

Create The Everything Bagel Topping:

In a small bowl combine melted butter with dried onion granulated garlic sesame seeds and poppy seeds. Using a pastry brush generously coat the tops of each bagel with this flavorful mixture. The butter helps the seasonings adhere while adding rich flavor and beautiful browning in the oven.

Bake To Perfection:

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 15 minutes until heated through. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the bagel tops are golden brown and the cheese is completely melted.

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The chives are my secret ingredient in this recipe. My grandmother always grew them in her garden and would add them to her eggs. That fresh oniony bite cuts through the richness of the cheese and bacon creating the perfect balance of flavors that transports me back to Sunday mornings at her kitchen table.

Customization Options

These bagel breakfast sliders welcome endless variations to suit your taste preferences or what you have available in your refrigerator. Swap the bacon for breakfast sausage, ham, or even vegetarian alternatives like plant-based bacon. For the cheese, try pepper jack for a spicy kick, Swiss for nutty sweetness, or a Mediterranean twist with feta. The mini bagels can be everything, plain, whole wheat, or even cinnamon raisin for a sweet-savory combination that works surprisingly well with the savory fillings.

Make-Ahead And Storage

These sliders shine as a make-ahead breakfast option. Assemble them completely the night before, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. In the morning, simply preheat your oven and bake as directed, adding about 5 additional minutes to the covered baking time. For leftovers, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual sliders in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes until heated through. For the best texture, avoid freezing the assembled sliders as the bagels can become soggy when thawed.

Serving Suggestions

Transform these sliders into a complete breakfast spread by serving alongside fresh fruit salad, crispy hash browns, or roasted breakfast potatoes. For brunch gatherings, create a breakfast slider bar with the baked sliders as the centerpiece surrounded by additional toppings like avocado slices, hot sauce varieties, fruit preserves, and extra herbs. A light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of the sliders. For beverages, serve with freshly squeezed orange juice, a pitcher of cold brew coffee, or mimosas for festive occasions.

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These breakfast bagel sliders are sure to become your go-to for easy, crowd-pleasing mornings.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these bagel breakfast sliders ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the sliders the night before, then bake them in the morning for a warm, fresh dish.

→ What type of bagels work best for this recipe?

Mini bagels are ideal for portion size, but you can use regular bagels cut into smaller pieces if needed.

→ Can I substitute bacon with another protein?

Absolutely! Sausage patties, ham, or even turkey bacon work as great substitutes in this dish.

→ Can I use different cheeses in this recipe?

Yes, you can swap cheddar with mozzarella, Swiss, or any melting cheese of your choice.

→ Are there vegetarian alternatives for this dish?

To make it vegetarian, simply skip the bacon and consider adding sautéed veggies like spinach or mushrooms.