Everything Bagel Seasoning Recipe
What is Everything Bagel Seasoning?
Everything Bagel Seasoning is the classic combination of sesame seeds, dried garlic, onion, and salt that you find on everything bagels! It became wildly popular thanks to Trader Joe’s “Everything But the Bagel” seasoning, but making your own at home is cheaper and allows you to customize the ratios to your taste.
Why Make It Homemade?
- Cost saving – You’ll get far more seasoning for your money when you make it yourself.
- Control the salt – Adjust the amount to your preference (store-bought versions can be quite salty).
- Customize it – Want more garlic? Less onion? You’re in charge!
Key Ingredients – Only 6 Ingredients
Making Everything Bagel Seasoning requires just 6 pantry staples, but the key is using the right form of each ingredient to get that signature crunchy texture.
- Dried minced garlic and onion – This is crucial, you need minced dried garlic and minced dried onion, NOT garlic and onion powder. The flavor is different and visible flakes give you that authentic everything bagel look.
- White and black sesame seeds – These are the backbone of the seasoning, providing that classic nutty, toasty flavor and contrasting look. You do want to use both because white and black sesame seeds taste different: white seeds are milder, sweeter, and nuttier, while black seeds are bolder, earthier, and slightly bitter due to their intact hull.
- Poppy seeds – poppy seeds may be tiny, but they do pack some flavor. They taste subtle, nutty, and slightly sweet flavor with a hint of fruitiness and you can taste it more in a larger amount added.
- Coarse kosher or sea salt – Using a coarser salt is important because fine table salt will sink to the bottom of your jar and it tastes much better than table salt. Flaky sea salt is ideal, but coarse kosher salt works beautifully too.
How to Make It
It couldn’t be simpler:
- Combine all ingredients in a glass jar with a lid
- Close the lid tight and shake to mix
- Use immediately or store for later
- That’s it! No cooking, no toasting—just mix and enjoy.
How to Use Everything Bagel Seasoning
The possibilities are truly endless! Here are some of my favorite ways:
Breakfast:
- Sprinkle on scrambled or fried eggs
- Top avocado toast
- Add to cream cheese on bagels
- Season hard-boiled or deviled eggs
Snacks and Appetizers:
- Mix into cottage cheese for a protein-packed snack
- Stir into hummus or white bean dip
- Try it in an everything bagel cheese ball (whole or roll them into mini cheese balls)
- Sprinkle on popcorn
- Top cucumber or veggie sticks with cream cheese and seasoning
Main Dishes:
- Sprinkle season over chicken, salmon, or other proteins.
- Sprinkle on roasted vegetables (potatoes, Brussels sprouts, broccoli)
- Add to salads for extra crunch like in a cucumber salad or broccoli salad
- Sprinkle on top of chicken salad stuffed avocado
- Top focaccia, biscuits, or homemade potato dinner rolls before baking
How To Store Everything Bagel Seasoning
Store your everything bagel seasoning in an airtight glass container or glass jar in a cool, dry place away from heat and light. It will keep for 3-6 months, though with how addictive it is, it probably won’t last that long!
Recipe FAQs
You can toast the sesame and poppy seeds for extra flavor, but if you plan to use the seasoning on baked goods (like homemade bagels), don’t toast them first or they’ll burn in the oven.
Yes! If you’re watching your sodium or want to add salt separately depending on how you’re using it, you can make this without salt and add it later.
Absolutely. Black sesame seeds add visual appeal and the flavor difference won’t be as noticeable with all white sesame seeds.
Yes, you can! But they do add a little special flavor and crunch.
No – this is a critical ingredient, the seasoning will taste completely different, have a different texture, and they’ll sink to bottom of the mix.
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Everything Bagel Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp dried minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp dried minced onion
- 1 1/2 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 1/2 Tbsp black sesame seeds
- 2 1/2 Tbsp poppy seeds
- 1 Tbsp coarse kosher or sea salt
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients together in a glass jar with a lid, close the lid tight, and shake it to mix.
- Use right away or store closed air-tight, in a cool, dark and dry plate. (Away from heat and light.)
Notes
Nutrition
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Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.
