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You can make garlic bagel chips right in your own kitchen with just a few simple ingredients and about fifteen minutes of your time.
This is one of those snacks that feels fancy but is actually super easy to pull together.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make garlic bagel chips that are crispy, buttery, and packed with savory flavor, you’re in the right place.
In this post, we’ll walk through the best way to make garlic bagel chips, the perfect seasonings to use, and a few clever tips to get them perfectly crunchy every single time.
Let’s dive right in.
Why You’ll Love Making Garlic Bagel Chips
There are so many reasons to make garlic bagel chips at home instead of buying the store-bought versions.
First off, you control exactly what goes on them.
No weird preservatives or artificial garlic powder that tastes like cardboard.
Second, they are incredibly budget-friendly.
You can use up day-old bagels that would otherwise go stale and turn them into something amazing.
And third, once you learn how to make garlic bagel chips, you’ll never want to go back to the bland, overly hard versions from the store.
These chips have the perfect crunch with a tender middle.
They’re ideal for dipping into hummus, spreading with cream cheese, or just munching on straight out of the bowl.
1. They’re Perfect for Using Up Leftover Bagels
Have a bag of bagels sitting on your counter that are starting to get tough?
Don’t toss them.
Turning them into garlic bagel chips is the ultimate rescue mission.
The slightly stale texture actually works in your favor because the bagels will slice more easily and hold their shape during baking.
2. You Can Customize the Garlic Flavor
When you make garlic bagel chips at home, you decide how much garlic punch you want.
Use fresh minced garlic for a sharp, aromatic kick.
Use garlic powder for a more mellow and uniform flavor.
Or go wild and use both for a double dose of garlicky goodness.
The beauty is that you can tweak the recipe to suit your personal taste every single time.
3. They’re Ready in Under 30 Minutes
From start to finish, you can have a warm batch of garlic bagel chips ready in less than half an hour.
It’s a fast snack that feels like a treat.
No long proofing times, no complicated techniques, just simple slicing, seasoning, and baking.
The Best Ingredients for Garlic Bagel Chips
Before you start, let’s gather the essentials.
The quality of your ingredients will directly affect the final taste, so choose wisely.
Here’s what you’ll need to make garlic bagel chips that are out of this world.
1. The Bagels
Any flavor of bagel works, but plain, everything, or sesame bagels are the best choices.
Plain bagels let the garlic shine through, while everything bagels add an extra layer of savory spices.
For the best texture, use bagels that are a day or two old.
They’ll slice more cleanly and crisp up beautifully in the oven.
2. The Garlic
This is the star of the show.
You’ll need fresh garlic cloves for that robust flavor.
Garlic powder works too and gives a wonderful toastiness when baked.
For maximum flavor, we recommend using both fresh minced garlic and a sprinkle of garlic powder.
This combo ensures every single bite is packed with garlicky goodness.
3. Butter or Olive Oil
You need a fat to help the chips crisp up and to carry the garlic flavor.
Melted butter gives a rich, indulgent taste.
Extra virgin olive oil is a fantastic alternative that adds a fruity, peppery note.
Either one works beautifully, so just use what you have on hand.
4. Salt and Herbs
A generous pinch of flaky sea salt is essential.
You can also add dried parsley, oregano, or chives to make your garlic bagel chips even more aromatic.
Black pepper is another great addition for a subtle heat that balances the garlic.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Garlic Bagel Chips
Now we’re getting to the fun part.
Follow these simple steps to make garlic bagel chips that are perfectly golden and crispy.
Step 1: Preheat and Slice
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Slice your bagels into thin, uniform rounds.
A serrated knife works best for this task.
The thinner you slice them, the crispier they will get.
Aim for slices that are about 1/4 inch thick.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Mixture
In a small bowl, combine your melted butter or olive oil with the minced garlic, garlic powder, salt, and any herbs you like.
Stir everything together so the garlic is evenly distributed.
Let this mixture sit for a few minutes so the garlic can infuse its flavor into the butter.
Step 3: Brush and Season
Using a pastry brush, coat both sides of each bagel slice with the garlic mixture.
Make sure you get good coverage so every chip is flavorful.
Place the coated slices in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet.
Don’t overcrowd the pan, or they won’t crisp up properly.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Bake the garlic bagel chips for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Flip them halfway through the baking time to ensure they cook evenly on both sides.
Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes.
They can go from golden brown to burnt very quickly.
You’ll know they’re done when they’re golden, crispy, and have a lovely garlic aroma filling your kitchen.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the chips cool completely on the pan.
As they cool, they will continue to crisp up even more.
This is the hardest part because your kitchen is going to smell incredible.
Once cool, transfer them to a bowl and enjoy your homemade garlic bagel chips with your favorite dip.
Tips for Extra Crispy Garlic Bagel Chips
Everyone loves a super crunchy chip.
Here are some pro tips to help you make garlic bagel chips that snap with every bite.
1. Slice Them Thin and Even
The thickness of your slices is the biggest factor in determining crispiness.
If you want very crispy chips, slice them thin.
If you prefer a chewier chip, slice them a bit thicker.
Evenness is key so they all bake at the same rate.
2. Don’t Overload the Pan
Make sure your bagel slices have a little breathing room on the baking sheet.
If they’re touching, the steam gets trapped and they’ll end up soggy instead of crisp.
Bake in batches if you need to.
3. Use the Broiler for Extra Crunch
After baking, you can turn the oven to broil for the last 30 seconds to a minute.
This gives the garlic bagel chips an extra crispy exterior.
Just watch them carefully so they don’t burn.
Delicious Ways to Serve Garlic Bagel Chips
Now that you know how to make garlic bagel chips, let’s talk about how to eat them.
These chips are incredibly versatile.
They’re fantastic with creamy spinach dip, classic hummus, or a chunky tomato salsa.
You can also crumble them over a salad for a garlicky crouton substitute.
Or use them to scoop up a hearty chicken salad.
And of course, they taste amazing served alongside a bowl of tomato soup for dipping.
The options are endless, and you might just find that they disappear before they even make it to the serving bowl.
So, How to Make Garlic Bagel Chips?
You can make garlic bagel chips by slicing bagels into thin rounds, brushing them with a garlic-butter mixture, and baking them until golden and crispy.
It’s a super simple process that yields a delicious, crunchy snack.
The key to the best garlic bagel chips lies in using fresh garlic, some good quality butter or olive oil, and slicing your bagels thinly and evenly.
This recipe is perfect for using up stale bagels, saving you money and reducing food waste.
Whether you need a quick appetizer for a party or just a tasty afternoon snack, learning how to make garlic bagel chips is a skill you’ll definitely want in your back pocket.
We hope you enjoy every single crunchy, buttery, garlicky bite.