These cream cheese stuffed bagels are crispy on the outside, soft and cheesy in the middle, and packed with delicious garlic butter flavor! Filled with seasoned cream cheese, topped with melted mozzarella, and baked until golden, they're an easy snack or breakfast the whole family will love.

The best part? You don't need to make bagels from scratch! Just grab your favorite store-bought bagels, add the creamy filling, and pop them in the oven.

P.S. If you love cheesy recipes, you should try my cheesy stuffed garlic bread next!

Hand holding a piece of golden stuffed bagel filled with warm, creamy cheese.

plain bagels might be a thing of the past! 🥯🧀😋

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❤️ Why You'll Love These Cream Cheese Stuffed Bagels

Quick and Easy – Made with store-bought bagels, these cheesy treats require very little preparation.

Creamy and Cheesy – A delicious cream cheese filling with melted cheese on top makes every bite irresistible.

Perfect for Any Occasion – Enjoy them for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon snack, or even game day!

Easy to Customize – Add your favorite seasonings, fresh herbs, or a little chili for extra heat.

Family-Friendly – A fun twist on ordinary bagels that both kids and adults will enjoy.

Close-up of a warm stuffed bagel pulled apart to reveal its soft cream cheese filling.

🥯 Ingredients You'll Need and Substitutions

Bagels: Use your favorite store-bought bagels. Plain, sesame, or everything bagels all work beautifully. Choose fresh bagels that are easy to slice and fill.

Cream Cheese: Full-fat cream cheese gives the filling a rich, creamy texture. Make sure it's softened so it's easier to mix and spread.

Sugar: A little sugar balances the tanginess of the cream cheese. Adjust the amount to suit your taste.

Italian Seasoning: Adds a delicious herby flavor. You can substitute a mixture of dried oregano, basil, and thyme.

Melted Butter: Brushed over the bagels for a buttery, golden finish. Olive oil is an alternative, although the flavor will be slightly different.

Garlic Powder: Gives the bagels their delicious garlic flavor. You can use a little finely minced fresh garlic instead.

Shredded Cheese: Mozzarella is my favorite because it melts beautifully. Cheddar or a mozzarella-cheddar blend also works well.

Kitchen tip: The small amount of sugar balances the garlic and tangy cream cheese, giving these stuffed bagels that delicious sweet-and-savory flavor. You can leave it out if you prefer a completely savory filling.

Ingredient list for stuffed bagels.

👩🏼‍🍳 How to make Cream Cheese Stuffed Bagels


Note: Please scroll to the full printable recipe card at the bottom for ingredient quantities and the method.

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) or set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).

Mix the cream cheese mixture.
Slice the bagels.

In a small bowl, mix the soft cream cheese with sugar, salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until well combined.

Slice each bagel into sections, but don’t slice all the way through—this helps keep the filling inside.

Add the cream cheese.
Base with butter.

Pipe or spoon the seasoned cream cheese in between the slices.

In another small bowl, mix melted butter, garlic powder, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to create a garlic butter sauce.

Brush the garlic butter sauce over the bagels.

Sprinkle with grated cheese.

Sprinkle with grated cheese.

Bake for 10-12 minutes (or air-fry for 8 minutes) until the cheese is melty and the bagels are crispy.

Let them cool slightly before devouring!

Two golden cream cheese stuffed bagels with melted cheese and herbs resting on baking paper.

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🥯 How to serve your stuffed bagel

These cheese-stuffed bagels are the perfect addition to any meal. Serve them with soup for a cozy lunch, slice them into bite-sized pieces for a party appetizer, or turn them into sandwiches by adding deli meats and extra toppings.

Hand holding a piece of golden stuffed bagel filled with warm, creamy cheese.

💡 Tips and Tricks

🥯 Don't slice all the way through: Cut your bagels into sections, but leave the bottom intact. This keeps the cream cheese filling tucked inside while baking.

🧀 Soften your cream cheese: Let the cream cheese come to room temperature before mixing. It makes the filling much easier to spread between the slices.

🧄 Don't skip the garlic butter: Brushing the bagels with melted garlic butter adds extra flavor and helps the tops turn golden and crispy.

🔥 Keep an eye on the air fryer: Air fryers cook quickly, so check your bagels a minute or two before the recommended cooking time to prevent burning.

🧀 Use freshly grated cheese: It melts beautifully and gives your stuffed bagels that irresistible cheesy finish.

🥯 Serve them warm: These cream cheese stuffed bagels taste best straight from the oven or air fryer, while the filling is soft and the cheese is melted.

Filled bagels. Holding a piece with cream cheese and melted cheese.

❓ FAQS

CAN I FREEZE STUFFED BAGELS?

Yes! Assemble the stuffed bagels, then freeze them on a baking tray until firm. Wrap each bagel individually and transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time, until heated through.

CAN I MAKE THIS DAIRY-FREE?

Absolutely! Replace the cream cheese with a dairy-free cream cheese alternative, use plant-based shredded cheese, and swap regular butter for vegan butter. Choose a dairy-free cheese that melts well for the best results.

CAN I MAKE STUFFED BAGELS IN THE AIR FRYER?

Absolutely! Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the cream cheese stuffed bagels in the basket in a single layer and air fry for approximately 8 minutes, or until golden and crispy with melted cheese. Check them halfway through cooking, as air fryer cooking times can vary.

Cream cheese stuffed bagel served on a pink plate with dipping sauce on a pink background.

Make-Ahead, Storage and Reheating

MAKE-AHEAD:

Assemble your cream cheese stuffed bagels up to 24 hours in advance. Store them covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake.

STORAGE:

Store leftover stuffed bagels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Because they contain cream cheese, avoid leaving them at room temperature for extended periods.

REHEATING:

Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 5–7 minutes, or in the air fryer at 325°F (160°C) for 3–4 minutes. Adjust the time as needed until the filling is piping hot and the bagels are crispy again.

Cream cheese stuffed bagel cut into sections, showing the soft, creamy cheese filling inside.

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Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think by leaving a ★★★★★ star rating & comment below. It genuinely helps me & I really appreciate your support! Nikki 💚

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Hand holding a piece of golden stuffed bagel filled with warm, creamy cheese.

Cream Cheese Stuffed Bagels (Easy & Cheesy)

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  • Author: Nikki
  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 4 bagels 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

These cream cheese stuffed bagels are crispy on the outside, soft and cheesy in the middle, and packed with delicious garlic butter flavor! Filled with seasoned cream cheese, topped with melted mozzarella, and baked until golden, they're an easy snack or breakfast the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 4 bagels
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

GARLIC BUTTER TOPPING.

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • small pinch of salt
  • ¼ cup butter, melted
  • ½ cup shredded cheese of choice

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) or set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix the cream cheese mixture.
  3. In a small bowl, mix the soft cream cheese with sugar, salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until well combined.
  4. Slice the bagels.
  5. Slice each bagel into sections, but don’t slice all the way through—this helps keep the filling inside.
  6. Add the cream cheese.
  7. Pipe or spoon the seasoned cream cheese in between the slices.
  8. In another small bowl, mix melted butter, garlic powder, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to create a garlic butter sauce.
  9. Base with butter.
  10. Brush the garlic butter sauce over the bagels.
  11. Sprinkle with grated cheese.
  12. Sprinkle with grated cheese.
  13. Baked bagels on a baking tray.
  14. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes, or air fry at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 8 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the bagels are golden and crispy. Let cool slightly before serving.
  15. Let them cool slightly before devouring!

Notes

For extra crispiness, broil for the last 1 minute after baking.

Experiment with toppings—a sprinkle of sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning adds extra flavor!

Make-Ahead: Assemble your stuffed bagels in advance, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.

Reheating: Pop them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes or air-fry at 325°F (160°C) for 3-4 minutes to re-crisp.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snack
  • Method: air fryer, Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: Per bagel
  • Calories: 610 kcal
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 920 mg
  • Fat: 33 g
  • Saturated Fat: 19 g
  • Carbohydrates: 59 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 19 g

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The nutritional information provided for this recipe is an estimate. The accuracy of the information listed is not guaranteed.

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