A Bite Inspired by… New York City, New York:
Juicy apple slices with salty cheddar and a touch of spice piled on a chewy bagel. This delicious dish, inspired by New York City, is easy to make and guaranteed to impress!
Christmas and New Year’s Eve always make me think of New York City. I’ve visited the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree around the holidays more times than I can count. I’ve stared, with delight, at the department store holiday displays. And, a few years ago I was lucky enough to ring in the New Year in Times Square. My grandma lived in New Jersey when I was growing up, so we used to visit her a few times a year and we would always spend a day in NYC. I even lived there for a summer in high school. Broadway shows, countless museums, world-class food, and bright lights—what more could anyone want from a city? Although as an adult I don’t get to go as often as I’d like anymore, the Big Apple will always have my heart. So naturally, I had to get my creative juices flowing and craft a recipe as unique and beautiful as the city itself.
One of my favorite things to eat in NYC is, you guessed it, New York bagels. Yes, I am a walking cliché, but they really are that good! Gorgeously crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. They’re so addicting; I can easily eat more than one in a sitting. So obviously, I decided to use a bagel as the canvas for my New York inspired dish. I also used apple as a nod to the “Big Apple”, a commonly used nickname for NYC. Plus, a little bit of pepper jelly for a touch of big city excitement!
Apples and cheddar cheese go together like peanut butter and jelly. The sweetness of the apple provides the perfect counterbalance to the saltiness of the cheese. My “Big Apple” bagel consists of a thin spread of pepper jelly, a thick slice of white cheddar cheese, green apple slices, and a small sprinkle of fresh rosemary. Delicious! I used cranberry pepper jelly in my version, but any kind of pepper jelly is fine. Pepper jelly also goes amazingly well with cheese and adds a sweet, spicy kick to the dish. You can also sub vegan mozzarella or vegan cheddar cheese for a non-dairy version. I’ve eaten it the vegan version myself several times and it’s equally delicious.
Every time I eat this delicious bagel, it brings me right back to NYC. It has all the elements of a well-balanced sandwich, except that it’s on a bagel! It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a snack. Try my Apple, White Cheddar, and Rosemary Bagels and see New York City for yourself from your kitchen table!
- 2 plain bagels, sliced in half
- 1 green apple, sliced into 8 rounds
- 4 thick slices of white cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup pepper jelly (see note)
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Spread pepper jelly on the bagels—about 1 tablespoon per bagel half.
- Place one slice of white cheddar cheese on top of each bagel half and then top with two apple slices.
- Place bagels on a baking sheet and place in the pre-heated oven.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and begins to brown.
- Sprinkle each bagel half with a little bit of the fresh rosemary.
- Serve immediately.
You may need a little more or a little less pepper jelly than the recipe calls for depending on how big your bagels are. You should have enough to cover each bagel half completely with a thin layer of pepper jelly.
I love how simple these are for such a pretty breakfast/brunch! Definitely keeping this recipe in my back pocket for quick breakfast when we have guests. Did you use a spicy pepper jelly?
Thank you Mikaela! I did use a spicy pepper jelly. I actually had a cranberry pepper jelly on hand from Thanksgiving, so I used that, but you can use any pepper jelly that’s to your liking! Thanks for stopping by!
What a great combination: Apple and cheddar! Love it.
Thank you Neena!! I totally agree– apple and cheddar are a great combination!
Looks yummy, Alyssa! I don’t even like bagels but this looks like something I would LOVE to have for breakfast. 🙂
Thank you so much Jamie!! You could also try it on regular toast or a foccacia roll, if you’re not too big on bagels. Enjoy!
Yum, I love bagels and haven’t had one forever! This looks like a perfect breakfast for a chilly winter morning, thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much Erica!
What a great simple dish! I am a big bagel fan and apples and cheese together is always so tasty. I have only tried pepper jelly once, but this recipe makes me what to try it again using your recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much Marie! Pepper Jelly is sort of a staple in my house. It tastes good with almost anything. Enjoy!
Looks like the perfect combination of savory and sweet! What a clever and fun twist on the ordinary bagel! Yum.
Thank you so much Riva!!
The “Big Apple” bagel. I love it! I’m pinning that one for the next time I serve brunch. Salty sweet goodness.
Thank you so much Romain!
This looks incredible! Bagels and apples are two of my favorite foods. Can’t wait to try it.
Thank you Poppy!! They’re two of my favorite foods too! Definitely give this recipe a try. Thanks for stopping by!
I actually never knew about the combination of cheese and apple until a few years ago and you are so right it’s like magical together! I have a bottle of red pepper jelly in the fridge that I have nooo idea what to do with, I am so making this for breakfast this weekend! 🙂
YAY! Glad I could inspire you, Joyce! As amazing as apple and cheese are together, the pepper jelly really takes it over the top. Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!
These look delicious! I love the combination of apples and cheese, and the addition of the pepper jelly and rosemary really elevate the flavor profile! Your photos are also incredibly lovely.
Thank you so much, Kristen! I’m a sucker for pepper jelly– it makes everything taste better. The fresh herbs do heighten the flavor as well. I love this dish because it tastes sophisticated, but it’s so easy to make. 🙂 Thanks again for stopping by!
New York and Bagels? What a great combination. We had a short stopover there a month back and the first food we ate was a bagel. I do like the sound of this combination. Thanks for sharing.
I’m with you, Mark! I always have to get a bagel the second I step foot in NYC. They’re just so good. Thanks for stopping by!
mmm, what a nice lunch idea.
Thank you, Sasha!