Bagels are a great choice for your kids’ lunch, especially when you want to mix things up a little and it makes a nice change from normal sandwiches with sliced bread. They are perfect for lunchboxes or for having lunch at home – they can be sweet or savoury, hot or cold, and can also be a delicious breakfast food! Once you try out these recipes on your children, they will be asking for bagels for every meal. You might want to invest in some Bagel cutters or a bagel toaster if you find that your family really love them.
Savoury Bagel Toppings
Cream cheese and cucumber – Put a nice thick layer of cream cheese over half and top with slices of cucumber, easy! This is a perfect option for summer and takes absolutely no time to prepare. (Also, a great way to get your children eating some greens)
Pizza bagel – Pizza bagels can also be an opportunity for you to get creative. You can keep it simple with just cheese and tomato or you can add any toppings you feel like to make it more exciting. Make an activity of it and get your kids to add the toppings and make a whole host of different options.
Carrot and houmous – Grate some carrot, mix together with a few raisins then add this mixture to a bagel half with a thick layer of houmous on it. This is another great recipe to help get your kids eating vegetables by presenting them in a more fun and interesting way.
Hot breakfast bagel – For a substantial breakfast make a breakfast bagel sandwich with crispy bacon, egg and cheese. Or a different take on avocado toast, use a toasted bagel instead of sliced bread and top with a poached egg.
Tuna or egg salad – Or any other fillings that your children like on their usual sandwiches, just swap the bread out for a bagel instead.
Sweet Bagel Toppings
Classic peanut butter and banana – This is one of my favourite options for breakfast! Spread a layer of crunchy or smooth peanut butter over half a toasted bagel and top with slices of banana and serve whilst still warm. You can try this with Nutella instead of peanut butter if your children prefer.
Cream cheese and strawberries – I mostly use cream cheese for savoury dishes but when you add some fruit, it can be a great little cheesecake alternative! You can slice the strawberries into heart shapes or add a few different kinds of fruits on top of a cream cheese bagel.
Banana and cinnamon – This is one for a cinnamon and raisin bagel. Add mashed banana on top of a toasted bagel half, sprinkle with a little cinnamon to taste and serve whilst still hot.
Cashew butter and apple – Cashew or almond butter is a great option to have with apple slices. Slice the apples into very thin slices and serve the toasted bagel whilst still hot.
Cookie Dough – For a nice dessert bagel, spread some cookie dough on a toasted bagel.