Dunkin’ Donuts Wins Consumer Reports Best Bagel

Dunkin' Donuts bagels (Photo: Dunkin' Donuts)

Dunkin’ Donuts ranked high on Consumer Reports’ latest list of  best bagels, winning high marks for both its plain and everything bagels.

The Yonkers-based organization ranked fresh plain bagels and an everything bagel from Dunkin Donuts, Lender’s frozen bagels and Costco’s Kirkland Signature packaged, room temperature bagels as very good overall.

“A bagel should have a slightly crispy crust, notable ‘pull’ when bitten into, like a good Italian bread, chewy innards, and a freshly baked flavor,” Consumer Reports associate editor Nicole Sarrubbo told MarketWatch. “And once you find a delicious bagel, what you do next is important. We found that toasting can change the texture of the bagel, sometimes improving it, sometimes not, while also altering the taste in some instances. And of course, adding cream cheese or any other topping gives your bagel a whole new dimension.”

The report stated that toasting Lender’s Original Plain caused the bagel to lose “desirable chewiness,” while toasting Udi’s Gluten Free Plain improved the bagel.

The calories and nutrition values varied depending on the size and what toppings were on it, but full-sized bagels usually have 260 to 350 calories, 1 to 4.5 grams of fat, 330 to 660 milligrams of sodium and 2 to 5 grams of fiber.

For dieters the magazine recommended Thomas’ Bagel Thins, but did note that they taste more like rolls than bagels. However, at 110 calories per bagel, 1 gram of fat, 210 milligrams of sodium and 4 grams of fiber, it’s definitely a good choice for those who are watching their waistlines.

Consumer Reports is the world’s largest independent product-testing organization, and has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website and other publications. It is best known for its reviews on cars and appliances.