The views expressed in this Opinion article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.
Following their departure from the shelves of grocery stores back in 2021, Bagel Bites have made their return in Canada and I tasted them to see what the hype is about.
Bagel Bites were created in the mid-1980s, and although I was a kid in the 90s and 00s, I don't recall ever having the treat before but remember that my peers loved it, so I was eager to see what they'd taste like to my adult taste buds.
Bagel Bites comes in three flavours: Cheese and Pepperoni, Three Cheese, and Cheese, Sausage and Pepperoni, and of those, I was only able to test out the first two flavours.
"As the first brand to combine the pizza and the bagel, Bagel Bites is thrilled to bring shoppers back to the category with a quick solution that delivers mouthwatering flavour," says the brand. "With the growing popularity of nostalgic eats, Bagel Bites is reclaiming its role as a convenient oven-baked snack-time staple in Canadian households from coast to coast."
With that endorsement in mind, here's how I got on with the taste test.
The prep
Bagel Bites on a tray.
On the back of the box, I was surprised to find there were three different choices for heating up the Bagel Bites.
"With low prep time, each box includes a convenient microwavable crisping tray for ease of serving," says the company. "Simply pop them in the microwave, oven, or toaster oven—and, as tempting as it is, just remember to let them cool before eating."
I opted to use the microwave as it was considerably faster than waiting for my oven to come up to temperature and then baking them for 14 minutes. However, I ran into some snags.
The first time I heated it up for the recommended two minutes and 20 seconds, the treats were still stone cold, so I popped them back in for another two minutes (that being said, all microwaves are different and mine is incredibly old, so who knows!).
The second time around, they came out cooked and with the cheese melted, so after waiting for a minute to let it cool down and to prevent myself from scorching the roof of my mouth, it was time to dig in.
The Bagel Bites
A hand holding a plate of Bagel Bites.
I started off with the Three Cheese option, and given how mediocre they looked I was pleasantly surprised to find them tastier than I was anticipating.
The bagel very much tastes like a bagel, and the sauce, while a touch too sweet, tastes like pizza sauce.
Next up was the Cheese and Pepperoni, which is the definite winner of the two I tried: the pork offsets some of the sweetness of the sauce and makes for a more interesting mouthful in terms of adding texture and flavour.
Both of these Bagel Bites would benefit from a dash of dried basil and red chilli flakes, but I could likely say the same for most frozen foods in general.
Make sure you're careful when you bite into these treats — the inside is surprisingly hot even if the outside has cooled, and there's truly nothing worse than burning the inside of your mouth and feeling that pain for days to come!
The verdict
A hand holding a Bagel Bite.
I can't say I loved the Bagel Bites, but I'm definitely not mad at them. I don't know if I'd buy them again for myself, but if they were in my freezer, I'd have no problem eating them again.
In fact, if I had kids, I could see this being something I'd keep on hand for them to microwave up as a snack after school.
Currently at Walmart, a pack of nine Bagel Bites costs $2.97, and given that a box of them filled me up, I'd say that's a pretty darn good price given how expensive food in general is at the moment.
In terms of how they rank against pizza, I've definitely paid money for fresh slices that haven't been as good as these Bagel Bites.
"Bagel Bites has incredibly passionate fans and we have been working hard to bring the beloved pizza snack back to Canadian shelves,” said Marie Claire Hurtado, Senior Brand Manager for Bagel Bites. “Positioned as a snack without limits, we will continue to bring our delicious familiar flavours to fans across the country to enjoy. Our re-entrance is only the beginning of what’s to come!"
With a new logo and packaging, each serving of Bagel Bites has 7 grams of protein, contains 0g trans-fat, and no artificial flavours or high-fructose corn syrup.
Bagel Bites are just one of the latest nostalgic treats to come back to Canada after a departure.
Earlier this year, Lunchables came back to the country after disappearing for 15 years, and given that it was once my favourite lunch from about the ages of nine to 13, I knew it was something I needed to try out again as an adult.
"Made with wholesome ingredients containing no artificial flavours or colours, each variety of Lunchables offers a protein-packed lunch kit that parents can feel good about, and kids will love," said the company of their offerings.
I tried out Lunchables Pepperoni Pizza, Nachos with Cheesy Dip and Salsa, Turkey Cracker Stacker and Ham Cracker Stacker, and of those four options, the Cheesy Dip and Salsa immediately took me back to my childhood and I thoroughly enjoyed eating it.
The two Stacker options were pretty decent, and while the taste of the Pepperoni Pizza was mid, the element of putting it together is quite fun, particularly if you're younger.
That being said if I had to choose between Lunchables and Bagel Bites in terms of which nostalgic snack I'd prefer for my adult taste buds, I'm giving the win to the Bagel Bites!
Who knows which food will be coming back next? Whatever it is, stay tuned — you know I'll be giving it a try and giving out all the details.
These prices are confirmed at the time of publishing, but they can change at any time. Taxes and fees may not be included.