Description

A hearty, make-ahead savory bread pudding featuring day-old bagels, eggs, cheese, and everything bagel seasoning. Perfect for breaking a fast with high-protein fuel and comforting flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

10 large day-old bagels (cut into 1-inch cubes)
12 large eggs
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups whole milk
4 cups shredded cheese (50/50 split of Sharp Cheddar and Gruyère)
3 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning
12 slices smoked bacon (cooked crisp and crumbled)
4 large scallions (chopped)
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
If bagels are fresh, toast cubes on a baking sheet at 350°F for 10 minutes until dry but not browned. Toss dried bagel cubes with 1 tablespoon of everything bagel seasoning.
Cook bacon in a skillet until crisp. Crumble and set aside. In the same pan, sauté scallions in bacon fat for 2 minutes until softened.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs, heavy cream, whole milk, salt, pepper, and remaining 2 tablespoons of everything bagel seasoning until uniform.
Add crumbled bacon and sautéed scallions to the bagel cubes. Pour custard over the mixture and gently toss to coat. Let sit for 5 minutes.
Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, pressing down firmly to compact. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top.
Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Remove from fridge and let sit on counter for 20 minutes while oven heats.
Bake for 45-50 minutes until top is golden brown and center is set. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
Let rest for 10 minutes before cutting into squares.

Notes

Day-old or toasted bagels are essential to prevent a soggy texture. Press the strata down firmly to ensure even cooking. For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and add sautéed mushrooms or spinach. Can be frozen after baking for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 square
Calories: 450
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 650
Fat: 26
Saturated Fat: 14
Carbohydrates: 35
Fiber: 2
Protein: 22

Keywords: Yom Kippur break fast, everything bagel strata, make-ahead breakfast, high protein breakfast, savory bread pudding, holiday brunch