Do you love everything bagels? Me too — they’ve always been my favorite. As a child, my family visited the bagel shop on Sundays; I would beg for an everything bagel while my brothers chose cinnamon raisin. As an adult I’ve mostly switched to whole-grain or plain bagels for health reasons, but I still crave that classic everything flavor.
That’s why I love this homemade everything bagel seasoning. With this simple blend you can turn any bagel into an everything bagel — and you can make toast, vegetables, dips and more taste like one too.
Simple ingredients make this blend: white sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried minced onion, dried minced garlic, kosher or fine salt, and optional red pepper flakes. You can find everything in the spice aisle at most grocery stores.
The key step is to toast the spices and seeds in a skillet. Everything bagels are baked with their seasonings on the surface, so toasting the seeds brings out a savory, nutty, aromatic flavor that feels authentic. Freshly toasted seasoning also tastes much better than many store-bought blends, which can sometimes develop an off or rancid flavor over time.
Uses for Everything Bagel Seasoning
Think beyond bagels. This versatile blend adds flavor and crunch to many foods. It adheres best to creamy or moist surfaces — avocado, cream cheese, yogurt-based dips and sauces — so it’s ideal for items that let the seasoning stick. Keep in mind the mix contains salt, so you may want to reduce added salt in the dish you pair it with.
Here are a few favorite ways to use it:
- On toast. Sprinkle over avocado toast, buttered toast, or cream cheese. It’s also surprisingly good on peanut butter toast.
- On soup. A light sprinkle adds crunch and interest to creamy soups, such as cauliflower or potato-based soups.
- On vegetables. Use on sliced cucumber or tomato, or toss over roasted vegetables for extra texture and flavor. It pairs especially well with roasted Brussels sprouts finished with tahini or on roasted broccoli and green beans.
- On dips. Sprinkle on hummus, tahini sauce, or sour cream–based dips for a pop of flavor.
- On sandwiches and salads. A small amount makes a simple tomato sandwich or green salad more interesting.
- On eggs. Try it on scrambled or fried eggs served with avocado or tomato and toast.
- On popcorn. Toss with hot popcorn after drizzling with olive oil or melted butter so the seasoning sticks.
Watch How to Make Toasted Everything Bagel Seasoning
Want more homemade spice blends? Try blends like za’atar, dukkah or a vegan Parmesan-style mix for other ways to boost everyday dishes. Homemade seasonings let you control freshness and flavor.
Please share how you use your everything bagel blend in the comments — I love hearing new ideas.
Everything Bagel Seasoning
- Author: Kathryne Taylor
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 1/3 cup
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 16 reviews
The trick to the best everything bagel seasoning is to toast the seeds and spices in a skillet. That yields a flavor very close to a freshly toasted everything bagel. This recipe makes a little over 1/3 cup (about 6 tablespoons).
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
- 2 teaspoons dried minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Combine the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried onion, dried garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a small skillet.
- Warm over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the spices are fragrant and the sesame seeds are just beginning to turn golden at the edges, about 5 minutes. Watch closely and stir often so the seeds don’t burn, especially in the final minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to a small bowl to cool. Store cooled leftover seasoning in an airtight jar at room temperature for up to one month. If the mix tastes bitter or off, the toasted seeds may have gone bad and should be discarded.
Notes
Recipe adapted from the cookbook Love Real Food.
Variations: Add 2 tablespoons raw sunflower seeds or pepitas to the skillet for more crunch and seedy flavor. Hemp seeds also work well.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate from an online calculator and not a substitute for professional advice.
- Category: Spice Blend
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American