A scooped bagel is a bagel that has had most of the bread on the inside removed, leaving just the crust. The process of scooping or tunneling a bagel involves using a spoon, fork, or even fingers to dig out a circle of the bready interior between the hole and the crust of both halves of the bagel. Some people believe that scooping out the inside part of bagels makes them healthier and supports weight loss, while others enjoy using scooped bagels for sandwiches to hold more fillings and be easier to eat. Scooped bagels are lower in calories and carbs than their unscooped counterparts, and some people also consider them better to use for sandwiches. However, since a large part of a scooped bagel is removed, a lot of bread might go to waste.

Recently, a TikToker from California went viral after he was denied when he tried to order a scooped bagel in New York City. He explained that he was cutting back on gluten lately for health reasons and traveled to New York City for his friends engagement party. He requested a gluten-free scooped bagel, but the employee refused to accommodate his request. The scooped bagel order has been a topic of debate, with some people accepting it and others rejecting it.