Description
A kid-friendly, make-ahead savory breakfast strata using stale bagels, cream cheese, and everything bagel seasoning. This recipe allows children to help with prep work and results in a creamy, golden brunch dish.
Ingredients
- 4–6 large bagels (plain, sesame, or poppy seed), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 ounces full-fat block cream cheese, softened
- 6 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives or green onions, chopped
- 2–3 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning (for mixing/coating)
- 1 tablespoon extra everything bagel seasoning (for topping)
- Butter or cooking spray (for greasing dish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- If bagels are fresh, toast cubes at 350°F for 5 minutes to dry them out, then let cool completely.
- Spread a thin layer of softened cream cheese on the inside of the greased baking dish.
- Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on the outside of each bagel cube (or press cubes into a bowl of cream cheese to coat).
- Arrange the cream cheese-coated bagel cubes tightly in the baking dish, packing them in with minimal air space.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bagel cubes. Press down gently to ensure all bagels are submerged.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle the extra tablespoon of everything bagel seasoning over the cheese.
- Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Remove strata from fridge and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes while oven preheats.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set (knife inserted comes out clean).
- If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes.
- Let the strata rest for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.
Notes
Stale bagels work best as they absorb custard without turning to mush. If using fresh bagels, toast them lightly first. Ensure all bagels are submerged in the custard to prevent dry edges. The custard should taste slightly salty before pouring. For a gluten-free version, use sturdy gluten-free bagels. For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free cream cheese, milk, and nutritional yeast instead of cheddar.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the 9x13 dish
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 14
Keywords: everything bagel strata, kid-friendly breakfast, make-ahead brunch, savory bread pudding, cream cheese strata, weekend breakfast, easy baking for kids