Side-by-side towers of our participating plain bagels, left, and everything bagels, right, each topped by their winners: the Baked by Yael plain bagel and Brooklyn Bagel Bakery everything bagel.

then coat them in either oil or butter — if you're using plain bagels you can season them with salt and garlic powder — then bake them in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8-12 minutes.