National Bagel Day 2027 arrives on Friday, January 15, giving bagel lovers the perfect excuse to enjoy a favorite breakfast, experiment with creative toppings or try a new homemade recipe. From classic cream cheese and smoked salmon to sweet cinnamon-raisin combinations and hearty breakfast sandwiches, bagels are one of the most versatile foods to celebrate. This guide covers the history behind the day, popular bagel varieties, toppings, easy recipes, storage tips and ways to join the fun.
National Bagel Day is a food observance, not a federal holiday. If you are still enjoying the start of the year, see our New Year’s Day 2027 guide.
Quick answer: National Bagel Day is observed every January 15. In 2027, it falls on Friday, January 15.
When Is National Bagel Day 2027?
National Bagel Day 2027 is on Friday, January 15, 2027.
- Date: Friday, January 15, 2027
- Frequency: Annually on January 15
- Date change: The observance moved from February 9 to January 15 in 2019, giving bagels their own day apart from National Pizza Day
- Type: Food observance, not a public holiday
Because it falls on a Friday, it is an easy day to bring bagels to the office, start the weekend with a brunch or stop by a local bakery. For another food idea from the same week, see our National Bagel Day-friendly breakfast pick, National Milk Day 2027.
What Is National Bagel Day?
The day celebrates the chewy, ring-shaped bread that works for breakfast, brunch, lunch and snacks. People enjoy the variety of flavors, spreads and fillings, and bagels suit both sweet and savory meals.
Bakeries and home cooks can both take part. You can try a new flavor, build a bagel bar or bake your own.
The History of Bagels
Where Did Bagels Originate?
Bagels are closely linked to Jewish communities in Poland and Eastern Europe. Historical records mention bagels in Kraków in 1610, and related ring-shaped breads existed earlier. A popular story says bagels were invented in 1683 to honor a Polish king, but historians question that legend, so it should not be treated as fact.
How Bagels Arrived in America
Jewish immigrants brought bagel-making traditions to North America, especially New York City, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
How Bagels Became a Mainstream Breakfast Food
Commercial production, frozen bagels, supermarket distribution and changing breakfast habits helped bagels spread beyond neighborhood bakeries during the 20th century.
Why Bagels Are Boiled Before Baking
Boiling the shaped dough before baking helps create the bagel’s characteristic exterior and dense, chewy interior. The final texture also depends on the dough, proofing, boiling conditions and baking.
Popular Types of Bagels
| Bagel type | Flavor profile | Popular pairings |
|---|---|---|
| Plain | Mild and versatile | Cream cheese, butter, egg |
| Sesame | Nutty and savory | Cream cheese, turkey, vegetables |
| Everything | Savory, garlicky and onion-forward | Scallion cream cheese, eggs, avocado |
| Poppy seed | Mild and slightly nutty | Cream cheese, smoked salmon |
| Cinnamon raisin | Sweet and spiced | Plain cream cheese, nut butter |
| Whole wheat | Hearty and nutty | Hummus, egg, avocado |
| Asiago or cheese | Rich and savory | Eggs, tomato, breakfast sandwiches |
| Montreal-style | Often smaller, with a sweeter dough and a wood-fired finish | Sesame seeds, poppy seeds, simple spreads |
New York-style and Montreal-style bagels show how regional baking traditions create different sizes, textures and flavors.
What Are the Most Popular Bagel Toppings?
Classic Bagel Toppings
- Plain or flavored cream cheese
- Butter
- Jam or fruit preserves
- Peanut butter or other nut butters
These simple toppings suit a quick breakfast or snack.
Savory Bagel Toppings
- Smoked salmon, cream cheese, red onion and capers
- Scrambled eggs and cheese
- Avocado and tomato
- Turkey, lettuce and mustard
- Hummus and cucumber
Smoked salmon with cream cheese is a well-known Jewish American bagel combination.
Sweet Bagel Toppings
- Cinnamon sugar and cream cheese
- Strawberries and whipped cream cheese
- Banana and nut butter
- Honey and ricotta
- Apple slices with cinnamon
Balance sweet toppings with a lightly flavored bagel.
Easy Bagel Recipes to Try on National Bagel Day
These are simple assembly recipes. Test any timing in your own kitchen.
Classic Cream Cheese Bagel
Ingredients: 1 bagel, 2 tablespoons cream cheese, optional chives or black pepper.
Method: Slice the bagel horizontally, toast it if you like, spread with cream cheese and add the optional seasoning.
Smoked Salmon Bagel
Ingredients: 1 bagel, cream cheese, smoked salmon, thinly sliced red onion, capers and optional dill.
Method: Spread cream cheese on the bagel halves, layer on the salmon and finish with onion, capers and dill.
Breakfast Egg and Cheese Bagel
Ingredients: 1 bagel, 1 egg, 1 slice of cheese and optional tomato or spinach.
Method: Cook the egg thoroughly, place it on the toasted bagel with the cheese and add vegetables as desired.
Quick Pizza Bagels
Ingredients: 1 bagel, pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella and preferred toppings.
Method: Add sauce and toppings to the bagel halves. Bake at 375°F (190°C) until the cheese melts and the toppings are hot, usually around 8 to 12 minutes. Watch closely, because ovens and toppings vary.
Sweet Cinnamon-Raisin Bagel
Ingredients: 1 cinnamon-raisin bagel, cream cheese or nut butter and optional banana slices.
Method: Toast the bagel lightly, spread with your chosen topping and add banana slices if you like.
How to Celebrate National Bagel Day 2027
- Visit a local bagel bakery and try a flavor you have never tasted.
- Make a bagel breakfast bar with several spreads and toppings.
- Host a bagel brunch with family or friends.
- Make a bagel sandwich for lunch.
- Compare New York-style and Montreal-style bagels.
- Bake bagels at home or try a beginner-friendly recipe.
- Share your favorite combination with #NationalBagelDay.
- Support a neighborhood bakery or bring breakfast to coworkers.
If a restaurant or bakery advertises a deal for the day, confirm it with the business directly. To trade topping ideas, communities such as r/Breadit on Reddit are a friendly place to share your bakes.
Bagel Storage and Toasting Tips
- Store bagels according to the package instructions.
- Freeze extras if you will not eat them soon.
- Slice bagels before freezing for convenient single portions.
- Toast the cut sides for a crisp surface and a chewy center.
- Keep perishable fillings such as egg, cheese and smoked salmon refrigerated until serving.
- Use a stable cutting surface and keep fingers clear when slicing.
Frequently Asked Questions About National Bagel Day 2027
When Is National Bagel Day 2027?
It is Friday, January 15, 2027, and is observed annually on January 15.
Why Is National Bagel Day on January 15?
The date was registered in 2019, moving the observance away from February 9, which also celebrates National Pizza Day.
What Are the Most Popular Bagel Toppings?
Popular options include cream cheese, butter, smoked salmon, eggs, avocado, tomato, jam and nut butter. The best choice depends on whether you prefer sweet or savory flavors.
Why Are Bagels Boiled Before Baking?
Boiling helps develop the bagel’s characteristic exterior and chewy texture. The exact result depends on the dough and baking process.
What Is the Difference Between New York and Montreal Bagels?
New York-style bagels are typically dense and chewy. Montreal-style bagels are often smaller, slightly sweeter and traditionally baked in wood-fired ovens. Individual bakeries vary.
Can You Freeze Bagels?
Yes. Wrap them well to help prevent freezer burn, and thaw or toast them as needed.
What Is a Bagel and Lox?
It is a bagel served with lox, a type of cured salmon, usually with cream cheese and often red onion and capers.
Countdown to National Bagel Day 2027
Friday, January 15, 2027
82 days to go (calculated from October 25, 2026).
Browse more seasonal guides on our homepage, or see our National Sticker Day 2027 article for another January idea. To read more about the food itself, the bagel article on Wikipedia is a helpful starting point.