Apple Bagel Sandwich

This open-faced bagel sandwich pairs tart green apple slices with melted cheese and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a sweet-savory snack that takes almost no effort. Three ingredients on a bagel half, 5-10 minutes in the oven, done.

Green apples are the right call here. Their tartness holds up against the salty, melted cheese and keeps the sandwich from tasting too sweet. A softer, sweeter apple would turn mushy in the oven and lose its bite.

Watch it closely near the end. The cheese goes from melted to burnt fast, and the thin apple slices can brown quickly at the edges.

Pro Tips

• Slice the apple thin so it softens slightly in the oven without staying raw and crunchy in the center.
• Use a cheese that melts well: cheddar, Gruyere, or Havarti all pair nicely with apple and cinnamon.
• Sprinkle the cinnamon on the apple before adding the cheese so it’s trapped against the fruit and doesn’t blow off.
• Toast the bagel lightly before assembling if you want a crunchier base.

Variations

• Spread a thin layer of peanut butter or almond butter on the bagel before adding the apple for a more filling snack.
• Add a drizzle of honey after the cheese melts for extra sweetness.
• Try a whole wheat bagel for a nuttier, more substantial base.