Homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning: Your Ultimate Guide to Making & Using This Versatile Spice
Love everything bagels? Make this iconic spice blend at home and transform your dishes! Use it on breads, homemade bagels, and even to create incredible dips. Once you have it in your pantry, you won’t want to be without it!
There’s something undeniably magical about an everything bagel. That perfect blend of savory, salty, and aromatic spices clinging to a chewy, delicious bagel is a culinary delight for so many. For many, like myself, it’s the absolute favorite bagel choice, often serving as the base for a quick lunch sandwich or, of course, a classic breakfast.
Why Make Your Own Everything Bagel Seasoning?
While store-bought Everything Bagel Seasoning is readily available, crafting your own blend at home offers several distinct advantages:
- Customization: You have complete control over the ratios of each ingredient. Love more garlic? Add it! Prefer a saltier kick? Go for it! This allows you to tailor the flavor profile precisely to your palate.
- Freshness & Potency: Homemade blends often taste more vibrant and aromatic because the spices are freshly combined. Over time, pre-packaged blends can lose some of their zing.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Buying individual spices in bulk and mixing them yourself is often more economical in the long run than repeatedly purchasing small containers of pre-made seasoning.
- Ingredient Control: For those with dietary restrictions or preferences (e.g., gluten-free, organic, low-sodium), making your own ensures you know exactly what goes into your blend, avoiding unwanted additives or preservatives.
- Always On Hand: Once you have the base ingredients, you can whip up a fresh batch whenever you need it, ensuring you never run out of this pantry staple.
My Journey to Homemade Everything Bagel Spice
My passion for everything bagels naturally led me to explore making the seasoning at home. The inspiration truly struck when my friend Jennifer, from Take Two Tapas, shared her recipe for Everything Bagel Spice. I was immediately captivated by the idea – the thought of having that beloved flavor profile readily available in my pantry was irresistible!
For months, Jennifer’s recipe sat on my “must-make” list. One of her brilliant ideas was to transform the seasoning into a delicious dip, served with crispy bagel chips. Knowing my weakness for a good dip, I decided it was finally time to dive in and try it myself. And so, I created my own version, directly inspired by her clever application.
Everything Bagel Dip: A Delicious Revelation
The Everything Bagel Dip was an absolute triumph! I made it in the morning, and it was so incredibly delicious that we ended up snacking on it in place of lunch. It was, of course, perfect with bagel chips, but surprisingly, it was equally delightful when paired with pretzels. The creamy texture and the savory crunch of the seasoning created an addictive combination that was genuinely hard to resist. This experience solidified my belief in the versatility of homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning.
Expanding the Everything Bagel Horizon: Beyond Dips
Since experiencing the joy of the dip, my mind has been buzzing with other culinary possibilities. Making homemade bagels is a long-standing bucket list item for me, and now I envision them generously coated with this homemade spice blend. But why stop there?
I also have a strong desire to try making homemade soft pretzels. Imagine: Everything Bagel Soft Pretzels! Is that a thing? It absolutely should be! The thought of warm, chewy pretzels dusted with that iconic seasoning sends my taste buds into a frenzy. So, now, both homemade Everything Bagels AND Everything Soft Pretzels are high on my culinary agenda. The possibilities are truly endless once you have this versatile seasoning at your fingertips.
Beyond my own aspirations, I’ve been eyeing some fantastic bagel recipes from other talented food bloggers that I can’t wait to try with my homemade Everything Bagel Spice:
- Homemade Egg Bagels from Life Currents
- Low Carb Pumpkin Bagels from The Foodie Affair
- Cranberry Walnut Bagels from Mildly Meandering
#MakeAllTheThings
Crafting Your Perfect Everything Bagel Seasoning Blend
Making this spice blend is incredibly simple. You essentially just combine the ingredients, and you’re done! When adapting Jennifer’s original recipe, I made a couple of minor adjustments to suit my preferences and what I had on hand. She used both white and black sesame seeds, but I only had white sesame seeds at the time. To add my personal touch and reflect the flavors I love in my favorite bagels, I also made one key addition: caraway seeds. While caraway is one of those spices I enjoy in small quantities, I believed its unique, slightly peppery, anise-like flavor would be a fantastic complement to the mix.
So. Darn. Good.
The Versatility of Everything Bagel Seasoning: More Than Just Bagels!
The beauty of homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning lies in its incredible versatility. Don’t limit yourself to just bagels or dips; this blend can elevate a wide array of dishes:
Breakfast Innovations:
- Avocado Toast: Sprinkle generously over mashed avocado on toast for an instant flavor upgrade.
- Scrambled Eggs or Omelets: Mix into your eggs before cooking or sprinkle on top for a savory boost.
- Breakfast Burritos & Tacos: Add a dash to your morning wraps.
- Hash Browns & Roasted Potatoes: A fantastic finishing spice for crispy potatoes.
- Cream Cheese Spreads: Stir into plain cream cheese for a homemade spread that rivals store-bought versions.
Lunch & Dinner Enhancements:
- Roasted Vegetables: Broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, carrots – toss with olive oil and the seasoning before roasting.
- Chicken & Fish: Use it as a dry rub for baked chicken breasts, salmon fillets, or cod.
- Salads: Sprinkle over green salads, cucumber salads, or even potato salad for extra texture and flavor.
- Soups: A pinch can add a surprising depth to creamy soups like tomato or potato soup.
- Focaccia & Breadsticks: Press into the top of homemade focaccia dough or sprinkle on breadsticks before baking.
- Pasta Dishes: A unique topping for mac and cheese or creamy pasta dishes.
Snack Time Saviors:
- Popcorn: Elevate your movie night snack with a shake of this seasoning.
- Homemade Crackers or Chips: Sprinkle on dough before baking for a savory crunch.
- Roasted Nuts: Toss nuts with a little oil and seasoning, then roast for a delicious snack.
- Hummus: Swirl into your hummus for an extra layer of flavor.
- Cottage Cheese: A simple, healthy snack made exciting with a sprinkle.
Proper Storage for Maximum Freshness
To ensure your homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning remains fresh and potent, proper storage is key. I highly recommend using airtight containers. These little Ball Dried Herb Jars work perfectly for this blend, keeping moisture out and locking in the flavors. Store your spice blend in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight or heat, which can degrade the spices over time. When stored correctly, your homemade seasoning should stay fresh and flavorful for several months.
Ready to mix up your own batch and start experimenting with all the delicious ways to use it? Let’s get to the simple recipe!
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Print Recipe
Everything Bagel Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1/2 Tablespoon dried minced onion
- 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt (or coarse sea salt)
- 1 Tablespoon dried minced garlic
- 2 Tablespoons white sesame seeds (lightly toasted for best flavor)
- 1 teaspoon crushed black pepper
- 1/2 Tablespoon caraway seeds (optional, but highly recommended for an authentic bagel flavor)
Instructions
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In a small bowl, combine the dried minced onion, poppy seeds, kosher salt, dried minced garlic, toasted white sesame seeds, crushed black pepper, and caraway seeds (if using).
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Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly until they are well combined and evenly distributed.
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Transfer the homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning to an airtight container or a spice jar. Store in a cool, dry place until ready to use. Enjoy on your favorite dishes!
Notes
*If you like this recipe, please leave me a comment and rate it with some stars. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!
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