Buzz
There are some unverified claims circulating online that between 2,000 and 40,000 people annually seek hospital treatment in the U.S. for bagel-related injuries. Whether or not those numbers are accurate, it’s clear that people have hurt themselves while cutting bagels. Bagels aren’t like typical loaves of bread—they’re tough on the outside, round-edged, and we prefer them cut into two perfect rings. Personally, I’ve sliced my hand while trying to split a bagel, and it wasn’t fun. I didn’t need hospital care, but my bagel experience that day wasn’t exactly enjoyable.
Choose the right knife
If you’ve ever seen the staff at a bustling bagel shop cut open bagels, you’ve probably noticed they use a long, serrated knife. Serrated knives are ideal for cutting through breads, especially bagels. Breads often have a tough outer crust with a softer inner crumb, and a serrated knife’s teeth dig into the crust, allowing you to saw through the bread. A chef’s knife or other smooth-bladed knives can easily slide off the crust, and this problem only worsens if the bagel is frozen or stale, making the crust even slicker. That’s risk number one—before we even get started with the cutting process.
Here are a few knives that can get the job done:
Henckels Classic 7-inch Bread Knife
Cuisinart 8-inch Bread Knife
How to properly hold a bagel while slicing it
The second risk while cutting a bagel is all about your grip—and trust me, it’s not about holding it in your palm. Unlike most rolls or loaves, a bagel doesn’t have a spongy surface nor a flat side to make it easier to cut. You’ll need to work with its unique shape to get the best results.
The safest and most effective way to slice a bagel is to place it on a cutting board with the bottom facing down, just like how it was baked. Avoid trying to balance it on its edge and slicing down. You won’t be able to protect your fingers, and the bagel will likely roll or slip. Stability is key when slicing.
Hold the long, serrated knife in your dominant hand, positioning it parallel to the cutting board and halfway through the bagel.
This is the crucial step. Use your non-dominant palm to apply pressure, but keep your fingers raised and out of harm’s way. Keep your elbow lifted as well—this will help prevent any accidents that could result in cutting your forearm.
Now, with the hand holding the knife, saw gently into the bagel, perhaps about half an inch. Use your other hand to rotate the bagel a quarter turn. Keep the knife in the same position, only moving the bagel. Repeat the sawing motion and rotate it again. Continue this until you’ve gone all the way around.
Once you’re halfway through, repeat the process. By the time you make another full rotation, or even sooner, you should have sliced all the way through to the center. Lift the top half off and enjoy your breakfast.
You might consider using a bagel guillotine. Its name doesn’t exactly inspire trust, and if you’ve read my thoughts on gimmicky gadgets, you know I’m not a fan. That said, I understand if you’re not comfortable with knives or if your mother-in-law gave you one as a gift. It’s okay. But honestly, you don’t need to invest in one of those if you already have a serrated knife and are willing to practice handling it a bit differently. With some practice, you’ll be cutting bagels quickly and safely in no time.
