by Anonymous on October 10th, 2007

Question

Help answer this question below.

Why do bagels have a hole in the middle?

Like
Report

Share:: Facebook; Twitter; Other

Answers. 20 helpful answers below.

by whistle6 on November 12th, 2011

Asker's Pick

Selected by the asker, Anonymous. (What's this?)

Asker's Pick

On Answerbag, the member who originally submits a question can identify the answers that he or she finds most valuable. "Asker's Pick" answers show you which answers best addressed the question on the original submitter's mind.
The bagel is symbolic of a round stirrup. When the Cossacks were attacking people of a certain region--I forget the specifics-- the horsemen who went to battle against the used round stirrups. After their victory bakers in the saved area baked round bread with a hole,the bagel,to commemorate the warriors and their victory.
Comments
- Kool =)
  That and they boil more evenly.
  
  Report
  
  by mikedsign on November 12th, 2011
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
1 comment | Post one | Permalink
by The Special One on February 21st, 2009
For lonely, lonely nights.
Comments
- LOL - terrible :-P
  
  Report
  
  by Sixty B - Commander Topcoat on February 21st, 2009
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
1 comment | Post one | Permalink
by Galeanda on October 12th, 2007
Because they get boiled before being baked and the hole in the middle makes it possible to cook them very evenly. If they were solid with no hole, the centers wouldn't be able to get cooked the same as the outer part.
Comments
- ahhh! I see.
  
  Report
  
  by Anonymous on October 13th, 2007
- Yes! Finally an answer that makes sense. I have actually pondered this about bagels and their cousins, dougnuts. I figured there were two reasons. One was because they float in boiling something, either oil or water. The hole could be there to make using a stick or rod to get them out easier. Two - when selling them having them on a stick could have been an easier way to merchandise them. I like your answer better. It makes so much more sense. +2
  
  Report
  
  by MRMacrum on February 21st, 2009
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
2 comments | Post one | Permalink
by Sodahead on October 10th, 2007
So that I can pleasure myself with it. LOL J-joking
Comments
- lol
  
  Report
  
  by .....----- on October 12th, 2007
- The question remains though. What do you do with afterwards? ;)
  
  Report
  
  by MRMacrum on February 21st, 2009
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
2 comments | Post one | Permalink
by R U Sirius on November 14th, 2011
Need to be consistent................The Donuts were thinking of having a revolution.
Comments
- as if the wood...they'd need a hole in their head to start on a begal....unless their after the dough....hehe
  
  Report
  
  by nice jugs on November 14th, 2011
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
1 comment | Post one | Permalink
by Mobius_Thudwhacker on November 12th, 2011
People here usually have an answer in mind even before they ask the damned question. I'm going to guess your answer would be so that oversexed Jewish guys have something to practice on?
I'm right, aren't I?
Gosh that's just awful. Jugs I take back all the nice things I ever said about you.
Comments
- Take um back to where.....??...hehe
  
  Report
  
  by nice jugs on November 12th, 2011
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
1 comment | Post one | Permalink
by xILoveYuhhx3 on November 12th, 2011
Because they are wannabe donuts... :D
Comments
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
No comments. Post one | Permalink
by canoeguide on November 12th, 2011
To let neutrinos through unimpeded.
Comments
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
No comments. Post one | Permalink
by Steven_S3187 on November 12th, 2011
Firstly, the hole isn't actually in the bagel. Bagels and donuts are shaped that way in order to expose more surface area to the heat of cooking. Don't get too excited because I wrote "expose".
Comments
- When you say "Expose" you mean "even" Steven....hehe
  
  Report
  
  by nice jugs on November 12th, 2011
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
1 comment | Post one | Permalink
by greyowl on November 12th, 2011
I dunno! Beats me!

I've been trying to figure out why DONUTS have holes all my life. No success.

Ask me about bagels holes again when I figure out donut holes. Don't want to overload my brain.

Oh! Did you know that you're not supposed to eat the hole in a donut or a bagel? You're supposed to eat around the hole.....then throw the hole away!
Comments
- wooowwww! xD
  
  Report
  
  by xILoveYuhhx3 on November 12th, 2011
- Does the same go for "Polo" mints as well....And what do you hold when there's only the hole left...:)p
  
  Report
  
  by nice jugs on November 12th, 2011
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
2 comments | Post one | Permalink
by Koz - Passion Perseverance Patience on November 12th, 2011
Cost cutting.
Comments
- Hole ! that's why....hehe
  
  Report
  
  by nice jugs on November 12th, 2011
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
1 comment | Post one | Permalink
by bagicide stayed 10 months too long on February 21st, 2009
I'm guessing its so that they get done in the middle. Bagels are boiled first and then baked. I'm guessing that the boiling water couldn't get close enough to the middle to cook it if it were a solid loaf. I don't think it is in either cooking vessel for long. It is briefly boiled to produce the chewy outside, and then it is baked long enough to brown it.
Comments
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
No comments. Post one | Permalink
by Gone. on February 21st, 2009
Because the hole isn't on the outside!!
Comments
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
No comments. Post one | Permalink
by Mike Astill on February 21st, 2009
The same reason you have a bellybutton.

They just do.
Comments
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
No comments. Post one | Permalink
by Old School on November 12th, 2011
So that the ants can more easily reach the other side....;-D....

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2476591
Comments
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
No comments. Post one | Permalink
by surfbiker on November 12th, 2011
I could ask the same about ---
Comments
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
No comments. Post one | Permalink
by Stu B needs no COAT for summer on November 12th, 2011
If they didn't have holes, they wouldn't be bagels, would they?
Comments
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
No comments. Post one | Permalink
by ChangeYourNameToSomethingAppropriate on November 12th, 2011
because they didnt want polo mints to get all the attention
Comments
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
No comments. Post one | Permalink
by Rhodri on February 21st, 2009
Because bagels are usually spit-roasted before being glazed. In order to glaze them evenly, they need to be rotated. Therefore bagels don't have holes anymore.
Comments
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
No comments. Post one | Permalink
by Anonymous on February 21st, 2009
So you can put the bagel on your finger and simply spin to eat! Mmm, talk about good finger food!
Comments
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
No comments. Post one | Permalink

Question

Why do bagels have a hole in the middle?

Answers. 20 helpful answers below.

Asker's Pick

Asker's Pick

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Answerbag.com Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!

Answerbag.com
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!