Bagels are some of the most versatile types of breakfast and just general foods due to the vast amount of customization that goes into preparing a bagel.  

Bagels come in various flavors, with each adding different flavors and adds in for the dough that no two bagels taste the same, such as a cinnamon raisin bagel and a sesame seed bagel. Both are bagels, but pair well with different ingredients to create different taste bud journeys.

Cinnamon raisin bagels are sweet, and pair well with fruit-based cream cheeses like blueberry or strawberry, or plain cream cheese with jelly or jam for a nice flavor pairing. Adding bacon to the mix adds a savory, salty component to compliment the sweetness of the other ingredients and culminates into a tasty breakfast food.

Sesame seed bagels are great for savory breakfast ideas such as bacon egg and cheese bagels, or a savory cheese cream such as scallion cream cheese.

Other worthwhile bagel types include jalapeno cheddar, asiago, everything and poppy seed bagels, among others, but every bagel type has its own benefits and unique ingredient combinations and flavors.  

The ingredients that can be placed inside of a bagel can allow it to be suitable for breakfast as well as lunch, any typical sandwich ingredients can be placed into a bagel and can be elevated by the soft, toasty texture of a bagel to increase the flavors of the sandwich.

My go to bagel combination is a plain bagel with host pastrami, spinach, egg and cream cheese, all ingredients that pair well together with a nice mixture of textures and flavors that will ensure your taste buds go on a flavorful and enjoyable journey.

Pizza bagels are also a great combination of flavors and ingredients and is very simple and cheap to make only needing a sliced bagel, marinera sauce, cheese and your preferred pizza topping, after being cooked the bagel alongside the toppings are toasty and beaming with flavor, it makes for a cheap, enjoyable dish that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner.  

Bagels are the ultimate sandwich bread substitute, and the variety of bagel flavors gives them the edge over sandwiches, making them an iconic breakfast food and a strong contender for the best bread type for lunch. Bagels also tend to be a bit cheap, so consider enjoying a flavorful bagel in between classes or on a lunch or breakfast break to ensure you feel energized to take on the day that Iona has in store.