Everything Bagel Seasoning
Everything bagel seasoning is a crunchy blend of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt, originally developed for bagels and now a popular all-purpose savory topper.
How to buy
Compare blends, since salt content and the ratio of seeds to dried garlic and onion vary a lot between brands. Look for jars with visible, intact sesame and poppy seeds plus real dried onion and garlic flakes rather than mostly powder, and avoid jars that look clumped or stale. A quick taste test helps you judge how salty a given blend is before you season heavily with it.
How to store
Keep in an airtight container in a cool, dark pantry away from the stove's heat and humidity. The seeds' natural oils can turn rancid over time, so use the blend within six months to a year for the best flavor.
Culinary profile
- Flavor
- Savory, garlicky, and onion-forward, with nutty toasted sesame and a mild poppy crunch running underneath, all tied together by salt. Toasting the blend briefly, as it does naturally when baked onto bread, deepens its nuttiness.
- Texture
- A crunchy mix of small seeds and coarser dried flakes that clings well to dough, cream cheese, and other sticky or moist surfaces.
- Aroma
- A toasty, pungent aroma driven mainly by the dried garlic and onion, with a nutty sesame undertone.
How to prepare
- Baked topping — Sprinkled onto bagels, breads, or crackers before baking so it toasts in place.
- Crust or coating — Pressed onto salmon, chicken, or avocado toast for a crunchy, savory layer.
- Mixed into dips — Stirred into cream cheese, hummus, or softened butter for an easy savory spread.
- Egg seasoning — Sprinkled over fried, scrambled, or deviled eggs for crunch and savory depth.
Classic dishes
American
- Everything bagel — The original application: a chewy bagel rolled in the seasoning before baking.
- Everything bagel with lox and cream cheese — A classic deli breakfast pairing the seasoned bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese.
- Everything-crusted salmon — A salmon fillet pressed with the seasoning before roasting or searing for a savory crust.
- Everything bagel avocado toast — Mashed avocado on toast finished with a generous sprinkle of the blend.
- Everything bagel breakfast sandwich — A seasoned bagel built into a full egg-and-cheese breakfast sandwich.
- Everything bagel pretzel bites — Soft pretzel bites tossed in butter and the seasoning after baking.
- Everything bagel popcorn — Freshly popped popcorn tossed with melted butter and the seasoning blend.
- Everything bagel roasted potatoes — Cubed potatoes tossed with oil and the seasoning before roasting until crisp.
- Everything bagel chicken tenders — Breaded chicken tenders coated with a mix of breadcrumbs and the seasoning.
- Everything bagel deviled eggs — Classic deviled eggs finished with a dusting of the seasoning for crunch.
- Everything bagel grilled cheese — Buttered bread sprinkled with the seasoning before griddling into a crisp grilled cheese.
- Everything bagel butter toast — Toast spread with softened butter mixed with the seasoning blend.
- Everything bagel cottage cheese bowl — A savory cottage cheese bowl finished with a sprinkle of the seasoning and olive oil.
- Everything bagel snack mix — A pretzel-and-cracker snack mix tossed in oil and the seasoning for an easy savory snack.
- Everything bagel flatbread crackers — Thin flatbread crackers rolled with the seasoning before baking until crisp.
Middle Eastern
- Everything bagel hummus bowl — A hummus bowl drizzled with olive oil and topped with the seasoning for crunch and savor.