In a typical American household, bagels and English muffins are two of the most popular breakfast options. Though they may seem similar, they are quite different. Regular bagels are typically chewy and made with a sweeter dough. However, English muffins have a more crusty texture and are made with a denser dough.
Which is better? That’s up for debate. Some people favor bagels’ sweetness, while others favor English muffins’ crunchier texture. In the end, it all comes down to personal preference.
In order to quickly determine which one to choose based on your PREFERENCE if you haven’t had either, we’ll examine the similarities and differences.
A yeasted bread known as a bagel is boiled before baking. As a result, the bagel has a glossy crust and a chewy texture. Before baking, bagels are frequently covered with seeds or malt, which gives them a unique flavor.
Although plain, poppy seed, and sesame seed bagels are the most popular, you can also find them in flavors like garlic, onion, and chocolate.
Although they are frequently consumed for breakfast or brunch, bagels can also make a filling lunch or snack. They create a tasty and simple meal when toasted and spread with cream cheese or peanut butter.
A small, rounded loaf of bread known as an English muffin is typically prepared on a griddle. Flour, milk, yeast, and baking soda are used to make the dough, which is typically allowed to rise overnight. This results in a crust with a light, airy texture that is ideal for soaking up butter and jam.
When topped with savory ingredients like eggs, bacon, and cheese, English muffins can be just as delicious as toast, despite the fact that they are frequently promoted as a healthier alternative.
English muffins are a versatile and filling treat that are great for breakfast or a quick snack.
Bagels are a New York City staple. They typically have a nice crust on the outside and are chewy. In other parts of the country, English muffins are more prevalent and typically have a softer, more cake-like texture.
Both foods are, in my opinion, delectable and possess distinct qualities of their own. Although I prefer English muffins because I love the way they absorb butter and jam, I still know a lot of people who would never think to skip their morning bagel.
A wooden board with tiny holes drilled into it is what is known as a bagel board. To keep the bagels fresh, they are placed on the board and covered with a damp towel. The bagels are kept from drying out and hardening with the aid of the bagel board.
You can make your own bagel board, but there are also a lot of commercially available options. There are a number of alternatives you can use if you don’t have a bagel board.
As long as the cutting board is large enough to accommodate all of the bagels, you may use it.
Using parchment paper to line a baking sheet is an additional choice that will prevent the bagels from sticking.
Whatever method you choose, be sure to wrap the bagels in a damp towel before putting them in the fridge. You can guarantee that your bagels will remain fresh and delectable for days by utilizing these straightforward alternatives to bagel boards.
Try a crumpet or an English muffin loaf if you’re looking for something with a similar flavor and texture. Compared to traditional English muffins, both of these options are denser and more cake-like, but they both have the same flavor.
Try a biscuit or a bagel if you’re looking for something that is more like bread. Since biscuits are much fluffier and have a flavor similar to English muffins, they are particularly useful if you want to make egg and cheese sandwiches.
Considering that bagels have a chewy texture similar to an English muffin, they also make excellent substitutions.
Bagels are a popular breakfast food worldwide because there are so many ways to enjoy them.
Bagels are typically round with a hole in the center. The hole serves a crucial function and is not just there for aesthetic reasons. The hole allows heat to evenly distribute throughout the bagel when the dough is boiled. This results in a more evenly cooked bagel.
The hole was initially utilized to thread the bagel onto a baking pole for either display or transportation. Although most bagels are now baked in baking pans, the hole is still present out of respect for tradition.
English muffins don’t have holes.
Bagels have holes in them. You know this already. I suppose you could say that the hole in a bagel is a symbol of the hole in the self, aka hunger, which gets filled by eating the bagel. So my question is, which dunderhead thought it was a good idea to put a great big hole in the middle of a piece of bread? Can we just assume I’m hungry and leave it at that, though, please?
Because let me tell you, when you schmear your bagel with something tasty like marmalade, it’s only a matter of time before it slides down through the hole onto something significant, like your parole papers or your dog (recent true conversation in a café: Me: “Do you have any marmalade?” Server: “Is that the orange one?”). This is not acceptable in a modern society.
Follow the example of the humble English muffin: “the orange one” and so much more can be stored on the uneven but intact surface of a muffin that has been cut in half.
Nutrition of a Bagel and English Muffin
When it comes to the calories in a bagel, values often vary based on type and size. For instance, Thomas® Plain Bagels supply 250 calories, 1 gram (g) of fat, 52 g carbohydrate, and 9 g protein.
On the other hand, the cinnamon crunch bagel from Panera Bread® source 430 calories, 7 g fat, 82 g carb, and 10 g protein. But the nutrition facts and content do not reflect the often addition of cream cheese and other spreads, which can easily add on 100 more calories.
There are also options to cut down on the caloric density of bagels. The Thomas® Plain Bagel Thins® provide 110 calories, 1 g fat, 25 g carb, and 4 g protein, while the plain mini bagels contain 120 calories, 1 g fat, 24 g carb, and 4 g protein.
But the calories in an English muffin are much slimmer, in which Thomas® Original English Muffins clock in at a mere 130 calories. They also supply 1 g fat, 24 g carbohydrate, and 4 g of protein. The sweeter variation of the cranberry English muffin contains 150 calories, 1 g fat, 31 g carb, and 4 g of protein.
Opting for a 100% whole wheat English muffin likewise serves a similar nutritional value. It also provides 25 grams of whole grain per serving and is considered a good source of dietary fiber.
Which should you choose?
English muffins are a more obvious healthy alternative to bagels due to their nutrition. Additionally, while bagels do not have to be entirely cut out of the diet, their consumption should be moderated in accordance with a healthy eating pattern.
Additionally, a balanced breakfast requires much more than a high-carb meal to maximize energy and mental clarity in the morning. Not to mention that these unique dishes will provide you with nutrients and energy throughout the day!
How to Bake English Muffins?
I found this incredibly simple recipe for homemade English muffins online. It can be used to make delicious homemade English muffins at home. I use these ingredients:
I boil the milk until it bubbles. Then add sugar and keep stirring to completely dissolve it. However, while the milk is cooling, I make a creamy paste by dissolving yeast in warm water. Then I combine the milk, the yeast mixture, and three cups of flour. When the flour is smooth, I add salt along with the remaining 3 cups of flour.
I thoroughly knead the mixture to make the English muffin dough. Then I grease a bowl and cover the dough with a cloth. After the dough rises, I make small dough pieces. Finally, you have a choice of baking them in the oven or griddling them.
Consequently, you can delight in freshly made English muffins with a variety of toppings.