BLT Bagel Sandwich

What is BLT?

A BLT is a classic sandwich featuring bacon, lettuce, and tomato, layered between two pieces of white bread. It is a popular sandwich in the United States and can be found on the menu in many diners and cafes throughout the country.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Flavorful- Crispy bacon, savory cream cheese, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomato slices come together for a simple, yet flavorful sandwich you’ll crave again and again.
• Ready in 20 Minutes- Don’t have a lot of time? Don’t fret! This easy BLT bagel sandwich only takes about 20 minutes to make.
• Simple Ingredients- You only need 5 simple ingredients to make this classic BLT sandwich on a bagel.
• Versatile- Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this BLT bagel sandwich really hits the spot.
• Customizable- This simple BLT bagelwich recipe is highly customizable. Feel free to add, swap, or remove ingredients to fit your own taste preferences.

Ingredient Notes

Here are some notes on the key ingredients. For the full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Bagel- Since the bagel is the star of the show here, I recommend splurging on bakery-fresh bagels from your local bakery. You can choose any bagel flavor you like! Try an everything bagel, a sesame seed bagel, or an asiago cheese bagel.
• Bacon- Opt for high-quality, thick-cut bacon for the best flavor and texture.
• Lettuce- Green leaf lettuce is my favorite lettuce for a BLT sandwich. Be sure to rinse and thoroughly dry the lettuce before adding it to your sandwich.
• Tomato- Choose a ripe and juicy beefsteak or heirloom tomato for the best flavor.
• Cream Cheese- Choose a savory cream cheese flavor, such as plain, chive, veggie, or garlic and herb.
• Egg (optional)- Make the ultimate BLT bagel sandwich by adding a protein-packed fried egg. It’s especially delicious if you’re serving this sandwich for breakfast.

Sustainability Tip: Whenever possible, choose to incorporate local ingredients into your meals. For this recipe, I love buying my bagels and cream cheese from a local bakery.

Substitutions and Variations

Here are a few ways you can try customizing this BLT bagel sandwich recipe to fit your diet and taste preferences.

Substitutions

• Bagel- Swap the bagel for any bread or bread product you prefer. I love making BLT sandwiches on sourdough bread as well.
• Bacon- Substitute regular bacon for turkey bacon or tempeh bacon.
• Lettuce- Use romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, or butter lettuce in place of green leaf lettuce. Baby spinach, arugula, or mixed greens also work well.
• Tomato- For a unique twist, replace fresh tomato with sun-dried tomato or roasted red peppers.
• Cream Cheese- Swap cream cheese for a soft cheese, such as goat cheese, or use a sandwich spread, like mayonnaise or aioli.

Variations

• Dairy-Free- Swap the cream cheese for your favorite dairy-free cream cheese alternative.
• Vegan- In addition to using a cream cheese substitute, you’ll need to use vegan bacon to make a vegan BLT bagel sandwich.
• Gluten-Free- Use your favorite gluten-free bagel in place of the regular bagel.
• Reduced-Fat- To make a lower-fat version of this sandwich, use only one slice of bacon and replace full-fat cream cheese with Neufchâtel cheese or goat cheese.
• Avocado- Add mashed or sliced avocado for extra creaminess and a boost of heart-healthy fats.
• Smoked Salmon- Swap the bacon for smoked salmon for a fancy seafood twist.
• Spicy- Spread your favorite spicy aioli or mayonnaise on the bagel to give this sandwich a bit of heat.
• Vegetables- Spinach, arugula, cucumber slices, roasted red peppers, or diced red onion would all make tasty additions to this bagel BLT sandwich.

Equipment Notes

Here are some notes on any special equipment I used to make this recipe.

• Skillet- Ensure your skillet is large enough to fry the bacon without overlapping the slices. A well-seasoned cast iron skillet is ideal for cooking bacon.
• Sharp Knives- Sharp knives are an important tool in a home cook’s tool belt. A good chef’s knife will make quick work of the tomato and lettuce, while a serrated knife makes slicing bagels a breeze.

How to Make a BLT Bagel Sandwich

Here is how to make a BLT sandwich on a bagel.

Step 1: Cook the bacon. Place the bacon in a cold skillet, making sure not to overlap the slices. Set the stovetop burner to medium-low. Cook the bacon for about 10 minutes, then flip it over. Cook for an additional 3 minutes and flip again. Continue cooking and flipping the bacon until it reaches your desired crispness. Transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and set aside.

Step 2: Fry an egg (optional). If desired, heat a small amount of butter, oil, or bacon fat over medium heat in the same skillet used to cook the bacon. Crack an egg into the skillet and season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Cook until the egg whites are fully set, about 2-3 minutes. For sunny-side-up eggs, remove the egg from the skillet at this time. If desired, flip the egg and cook for an additional 1 to 3 minutes. Once cooked to your desired doneness, transfer the egg to a plate.

Step 3: Toast the bagel. Place the bagel halves in a toaster or toaster oven and toast them to your preferred level of darkness.

Step 4: Assemble the sandwich. Spread the cream cheese evenly on the bottom half of the toasted bagel. Arrange the bacon strips, tomato slices, lettuce, and egg (if adding) on top of the cream cheese. Place the other half of the bagel on top and enjoy!

Tips for Success

• Use high-quality ingredients. Choose freshly-baked bagels, thick-cut bacon, garden-fresh tomatoes, and crispy lettuce for the best flavor and texture.
• Cook the bacon low and slow. Starting the bacon in a cold skillet and cooking it over medium-low heat is the key to perfectly crispy bacon. Allowing the bacon to cook slowly helps render out more fat.
• Keep an eye on the bacon. Bacon can quickly go from perfectly crispy to burnt. Keep an eye on it and adjust the cooking time to achieve your desired doneness.
• Customize to your liking. Feel free to personalize this BLT bagel recipe by adding or adjusting ingredients to fit your taste preferences.
• Serve immediately. This BLT bagel sandwich tastes best when enjoyed fresh.

What to Serve with a BLT Bagel Sandwich

This BLT bagel sandwich with cream cheese is versatile and can easily be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

For breakfast, consider serving this BLT on a toasted bagel with classic breakfast side dishes, like scrambled eggs, roasted potatoes or home fries, fresh fruit, and yogurt.

Like all sandwiches, this BLT bagel sandwich also pairs well with soups and salads.

Serve it alongside chicken soup, potato soup, broccoli soup, or pumpkin soup for a hearty and satisfying meal. Or try pairing this filling sandwich with Caesar salad, spinach salad, kale salad, or arugula salad for a lighter option.

Finally, starchy side dishes, like butternut squash fries, roasted potato wedges, potato salad, and macaroni and cheese also taste delicious with a BLT bagel sandwich.

Storage and Reheating

How to Store

It’s best to store all of the ingredients for these BLT bagel sandwiches separately. Assemble sandwiches just prior to eating for the best flavor and texture.

• Refrigerator- If you have leftover BLT bagel sandwiches, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
• Freezer- I do not recommend freezing a whole BLT bagel sandwich as the lettuce and tomato will become wilted and soggy. Freeze leftover bagels and bacon for up to 3 months.

How to Reheat

Leftover sandwiches can be enjoyed cold, or you can heat up the bacon and bagel separately if you prefer a warm sandwich.

• Bacon- Heat leftover bacon in a skillet over medium heat until warm and crispy.
• Bagel- Scrape any cream cheese off of the bagel and reheat it in a toaster or toaster oven until warm.

Make Ahead

While I recommend making these BLT bagel sandwiches fresh, you can prepare individual ingredients ahead of time.

• Bacon- Cook the bacon until crispy, then allow it to cool before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat the bacon in a skillet or in the microwave, if desired.
• Lettuce- Separate, rinse, and dry the lettuce leaves up to one week in advance. Store them in an airtight container with a dry paper towel to keep them crispy and fresh.
• Tomato- Slice and store the tomatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

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