This bagel BLT is the ultimate comfort food packed with crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, juicy tomato, and creamy hummus on a toasted everything bagel. It's a satisfying, light treat that's perfect for any meal of the day!
Jump to Recipe
BLT's are a staple sandwich. There's something about the combination of lettuce, crispy bacon, and tomato that goes together so well. I've been looking for creative lunch ideas for school and work and as I was brainstorming I came across the popular BLT. This inspired me to take it up a notch and use an everything bagel as the bread and to add hummus for additional creaminess and flavor.
These are a hit in our home. You can make a whole week's worth of food in 30 minutes or less and clean up is super simple. I'm excited for you to try these. Whether you serve them warm or cold they'll be delicious regardless.
Jump to:
What Is a Bagel BLT Sandwich?
A BLT bagel is a delicious sandwich that combines the classic ingredients of a BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato) with a bagel as the bread base. It typically consists of crispy bacon strips, fresh lettuce, slices of juicy tomato. The bagel provides a chewy and flavorful foundation for the iconic BLT components, creating a satisfying blend of textures and flavors. It's a popular and comforting option enjoyed for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or anytime you're craving a hearty and flavorful sandwich.
Why You'll Love These Bagel BLT's
Perfect Balance of Flavors: The Bagel BLT sandwich offers the ideal balance of smoky bacon, tangy tomato, crisp lettuce, and a creamy spread, creating a symphony of flavors in every bite.
Classic with a Twist: Embrace the timeless appeal of a BLT while enjoying the flavorful twist of a bagel – a match made in sandwich heaven.
Versatile Anytime Meal: Enjoy the ultimate BLT for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Quick and Easy: Whip up this sandwich in minutes, making it a go-to option for busy days when you crave a delicious meal on the fly.
Customizable Creations: Add your personal touch with creative spreads, flavored bagels, or extra toppings to craft a BLT bagel recipe that's uniquely yours.
Satisfying and Filling: Packed with protein, veggies, and wholesome ingredients, the Bagel BLT keeps you full and energized throughout the day.
Ingredients
Everything Bagel - I used a thin sliced everything bagel because I didn't want my bread to filling ratio to feel too overwhelming. This is also a great choice if you love carbs but don't want an overwhelming amount of them. Don't feel like you have to use an everything bagel, consider using sesame seed or asiago instead.
Bacon - I used about 2 slices bacon per sandwich. You can use any type of bacon you want but I recommend thick sliced bacon. This will help balance the bread to filling ratio. I typically cook mine until it's dark and crispy but the way you cook it is completely up to your preference.
Tomato Slices - When it comes to choosing tomatoes, I suggest you go with a ripe heirloom or beefsteak. They're thick, juicy, and perfect for sandwiches. Vine and roma tomatoes will work for this recipe as well. You'll need about 2 slices for one sandwich.
Lettuce - You can't have a BLT bagel sandwich without lettuce. The lettuce adds a nice crunchy and refreshing element to the sandwich. Big leafy greens like romaine or bibb are great options. If you want to take the nutritional value up a bit you can use a spinach and arugula blend instead.
Hummus - Most BLT's have a mayo spread but I wanted to change it up a bit and use hummus instead. I opted for a homemade hummus for the sandwich because we're not huge fans of mayo around here. I highly recommend pairing this sandwich with Lemon Dill Hummus or this simple Beiruti Hummus. Each will elevate the sandwich to a whole new level. You can use store bought for a more convenient option. Plus, you can get creative with the different flavors of hummus you can use from red pepper, spicy, spinach artichoke just to name a few. Not feeling the mayo or hummus? No problem, try the blt bagel with cream cheese or any bagel sauce of your choice.
How It's Made
Step 1. Slice the bagels in half horizontally to create a top and bottom half. This may be already done depending on the brand you've bought.
Step 2. Cook the bacon in a skillet or in the oven until it's crispy and golden brown. Place the cooked bacon on a paper towel to drain excess grease.
Step 3. Wash and slice the tomatoes into thin rounds. Reserve two slices per sandwich.
Step 4. Spread a layer of hummus on the cut side of each bagel half. On the bottom half of the bagel, layer a few lettuce leaves, followed by two tomato slices, and then two slices of the cooked bacon. Place the top half of the bagel on the bacon to complete the sandwich.
Must Try Variations
There are so many ways to take your bagel BLT recipe to the next level. Below are some of my favorites. Hopefully you'll be inspired by some of these. If you try any of these let me know what you thought!
Avocado BLT Bagel: Add sliced ripe avocado to your bagel sandwich for a creamy and nutritious twist. The avocado's richness complements the other flavors beautifully.
Pesto Chicken BLT Bagel: Layer grilled or rotisserie chicken on your bagel BLT and spread a layer of basil pesto instead of hummus on the bagel for a burst of herbaceous flavor.
Smoked Salmon BLT Bagel: Swap out the bacon for thinly sliced smoked salmon (lox) to create a luxurious and savory salmon BLT. Add capers and cream cheese for extra indulgence.
Turkey Club Bagel: Turn your bagel BLT into a turkey club by adding roasted turkey slices and a layer of Swiss or cheddar cheese. Triple layers of goodness!
Southwestern BLT Bagel: Add a Southwestern flair by incorporating sliced jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, and a smear of chipotle mayo.
Hawaiian BLT Bagel: Infuse tropical flavors by adding grilled pineapple slices to your Bagel BLT. The sweet and tangy pineapple complements the savory components.
Mediterranean BLT Bagel: Incorporate Mediterranean ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, olives, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Breakfast BLT Bagel: Make it an everything bagel breakfast sandwich treat by adding a fried egg to your bagel BLT. The runny yolk adds richness to each bite.
Vegan BLT Bagel: Opt for plant-based alternatives like tempeh bacon or coconut bacon, for a cruelty-free version of the classic.
BBQ Pulled Pork BLT Bagel: Combine two beloved classics by adding BBQ pulled pork to your BLT bagel sandwich. The smoky sweetness of the pork complements the other ingredients.
Can I Meal Prep This?
Yes, you can meal prep a healthy BLT bagel for convenient lunches for work or school. While the traditional crispy texture of bacon may not hold up well over several days, there are a few tips I have ways to ensure you get the best and freshest results.
Layer Separation: When assembling your meal-prepped everything bagel sandwich, it's a good idea to keep the ingredients separated until you're ready to eat. Place the bagel halves in a separate container or zip-top bag to maintain their freshness and prevent sogginess.
Keep Ingredients Fresh: Slice the tomatoes and lettuce just before you plan to eat to prevent them from becoming soggy. Store them in separate airtight containers or use small resealable bags.
Prep the Spread: You can pre-apply the hummus to the bagel halves before assembling. Alternatively, you can pack the spread in a small container and apply it just before eating.
Optimize Freshness: To maximize freshness, consider using a small ice pack or a frozen gel pack in your meal prep container to help keep the ingredients cool.
Use Sturdy Bagels: Choose bagels that have a slightly denser texture, as they tend to hold up better during meal prepping compared to softer varieties.
Toasted or Not Toasted?
Whether to serve the bagel bacon lettuce tomato sandwich toasted or not toasted depends on personal preference and the texture you're aiming for. Both options have their merits:
Toasted Bagel:
- Toasting the bagel adds a wonderful crunch and warmth to the sandwich.
- The toasting process can enhance the bagel's flavor and provide a satisfying contrast to the soft fillings.
- The heat from toasting can slightly wilt the lettuce, contributing to a cohesive bite.
Untoasted Bagel:
- An untoasted bagel maintains its original chewy texture, offering a unique contrast to the crisp bacon and fresh vegetables.
- It preserves the bagel's flavor profile without altering it through toasting.
- If you prefer a softer, less crunchy sandwich, an untoasted bagel might be more suitable.
More Bacon Recipes You'll Enjoy
The Best Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich
Flaky Cheese and Bacon Turnovers
Instant Pot Smoked Mac and Cheese with Bacon
Bacon Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper
Avocado Toast with Egg and Bacon
Best Ever Bagel BLT Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 everything bagel
- 2 slices of bacon cooked
- 2 tomato slices
- 2 lettuce leaves
- 1 tablespoon hummus
Instructions
- Slice the bagels in half horizontally to create a top and bottom half. This may be already done depending on the brand you've bought.
- Cook the bacon in a skillet or in the oven until it's crispy and golden brown. Place the cooked bacon on a paper towel to drain excess grease.
- Wash and slice the tomatoes into thin rounds. Reserve two slices per sandwich.
- Spread a layer of hummus on the cut side of each bagel half. On the bottom half of the bagel, layer a few lettuce leaves, followed by two tomato slices, and then two slices of the cooked bacon. Place the top half of the bagel on the bacon to complete the sandwich.
Leave a Reply