By Fari Hub | Published: August 22, 2025 — 5:00 AM
Crosswords are like food for the soul — sometimes savory, sometimes sweet, always satisfying.
Among the playful clues of the New York Times Crossword, one stands out with charm: “like bagels and gummy bears nyt.”
What unites bagels, the chewy staple of breakfast tables, with gummy bears, the colorful candy of childhood? At first glance, nothing. But in the land of crosswords, ordinary foods are stitched together by wordplay.
This article will explore the clue, uncover possible answers, dive into trivia, and even reflect poetically on what it means to compare bagels and gummy bears.
Understanding the Clue — “Like Bagels and Gummy Bears”
Literal Interpretation
Bagels are round.
Gummy bears are chewy.
The clue could point toward either texture, shape, or a shared category.
H2: Crossword Angle
The NYT Crossword clue “like bagels and gummy bears” has been solved most often as:
👉 CHEWY
Possible Answers for the Clue
When solving, you must think in synonyms. Some answers that fit include:
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CHEWY → fits both bagels and gummy bears.
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ROUND → describes shape of bagels (but not gummy bears).
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EDIBLE → true, but too broad.
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TREATS → works for both, but not exact.
The strongest, most common answer: CHEWY.
Crossword Puzzle Breakdown (NYT Mini Style)
Across Clues
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1A. Like bagels and gummy bears → CHEWY
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4A. Breakfast bread often topped with cream cheese → BAGEL
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6A. Fruity candy in bear form → GUMMY
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7A. Opposite of savory → SWEET
Down Clues
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1D. Popular NYT crossword descriptor → CLUE
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2D. Candy shape (plural) → BEARS
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3D. Morning beverage with bagels → COFFEE
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5D. Common crossword answer for “Yes” → YEP
Hints for Solvers 📝
Gentle Hints
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Think texture: how do both bagels and gummy bears feel when eaten?
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Bagels resist your bite; gummy bears bounce back.
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One word unites them.
Answer Reveal
The answer is most often: CHEWY.
Trivia About Bagels & Gummy Bears 🎉
Bagel Lore
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Originated in Poland in the 1600s.
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Traditionally boiled before baking, giving them their signature chew.
Gummy Bear Fun Facts
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Invented in Germany in the 1920s by Haribo.
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The first gummy candy was shaped like a bear because bears symbolized festivals.
Crossword Trivia
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Food clues are among the most popular in NYT puzzles.
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Words like BAGEL and OREO appear frequently because of their convenient letters.
Difficulty Rating ⭐
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Clue Complexity: ★★☆☆☆ (Fairly easy)
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Word Familiarity: ★★★★★ (Common foods)
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Solver Satisfaction: ★★★★☆ (Playful and relatable)
Why Solvers Love This Clue
Relatable Everyday Objects
Food is universal — everyone knows bagels and gummy bears.
Playful Contrast
Pairing savory with sweet delights solvers.
The A-Ha! Moment
Realizing the shared texture (“chewy”) is satisfying.
Additional Practice Clues (Across & Down)
Across
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1A. Like gummy worms (5) → CHEWY
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2A. Round breakfast bread (5) → BAGEL
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3A. Chocolate sandwich cookie (4) → OREO
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4A. Popular crossword beverage (6) → COFFEE
Down
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1D. Fruit-flavored candy shape (4) → BEAR
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2D. Sweet opposite of salty (5) → SWEET
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3D. Texture of licorice (5) → CHEWY
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4D. Popular deli topping (6) → CREAMY
Lessons from Bagels & Bears
Embrace Duality
Life is both sweet and savory.
Chew Through Challenges
Like bagels and gummies, some things require effort — but they reward persistence.
Unexpected Connections
Two foods, worlds apart, yet linked in puzzles.
A Poetic Reflection ✨
A bagel, round, dense, warm.
A gummy bear, colorful, playful, sweet.
Both chewy, both reminders
That life can be both nourishment and delight.
Conclusion: When Words Taste Like Food
The clue “like bagels and gummy bears nyt” is more than a crossword hint. It is a playful pairing of savory and sweet, a texture that unites opposites.
The answer CHEWY is simple, but behind it lies trivia, culture, and joy. Crosswords remind us: connections exist where we least expect them.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: What is the NYT Crossword answer to “like bagels and gummy bears”?
A: The most common answer is CHEWY.
Q2: Why are bagels considered chewy?
A: Because they are boiled before baking, giving them dense, chewy texture.
Q3: Who invented gummy bears?
A: Haribo founder Hans Riegel in Germany in the 1920s.
Q4: Are food clues common in NYT crosswords?
A: Yes, foods like OREO, BAGEL, and BRIE appear often.
Q5: What’s the life lesson behind this clue?
A: That opposites — savory and sweet — can share the same qualities.
