Apple Bagel Broil

A toasted cinnamon raisin bagel topped with sliced apple, a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, and a slice of melted cheese broiled until bubbly. It sounds like an odd combination, but the sweet-savory thing really works here. The warm, melty cheese against the crisp apple and spiced bagel is a breakfast worth getting up for.

This comes together in about 10 minutes, most of it hands-off under the broiler. Toast the bagel, butter it while hot so it melts in, layer on the apple and cinnamon sugar, top with cheese, and broil. Done.

It’s a great way to use up that half apple sitting in the fridge and turn a plain bagel into something that feels like brunch.

Pro Tips

• Slice the apple thin so it softens slightly under the broiler. Thick slices stay too crunchy and the cheese slides off.
• Watch the broiler closely. It takes only a minute or two for the cheese to bubble, and bagels burn fast under direct heat.
• Butter the bagel immediately after toasting so the butter melts into the surface instead of sitting on top.
• A cinnamon raisin bagel doubles down on the apple-cinnamon theme, but a plain or whole wheat bagel works just as well.