Unlock a world of flavor right in your own kitchen by crafting your very own batch of Everything Bagel Seasoning. This incredibly popular spice blend, once exclusively found adorning the iconic Everything Bagel, has transcended its origins to become a versatile staple in modern cooking. Forget the store-bought versions; creating this seasoning at home is not only surprisingly simple, taking mere minutes of your time, but it also offers unparalleled opportunities for customization and freshness. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, this guide will walk you through the process of making the best homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning, sharing secrets to enhance its flavor and a comprehensive list of creative ways to enjoy it beyond just bagels.
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The Irresistible Allure of Everything Bagel Seasoning
There’s a distinct joy in biting into a freshly baked Everything Bagel, especially when slathered with rich cream cheese. The satisfying chewiness of the bagel, complemented by the sturdy crust, and then that glorious, textural crunch from the seasoning on top – it’s a symphony of flavors and textures. That familiar blend of toasted seeds, savory garlic, and pungent onion creates a taste profile that is both robust and utterly addictive. For years, this delightful combination was primarily associated with the classic New York-style bagel shop experience, a cherished weekend breakfast tradition for many.
However, thanks to a remarkable surge in popularity over recent years, amplified by widespread commercial availability and viral trends (with products like Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning leading the charge), this unique spice blend has found a life far beyond its namesake. It has transformed from a mere bagel topping into a culinary phenomenon, gracing everything from avocado toast to roasted vegetables, and even baked goods. This newfound versatility has cemented its place as a must-have pantry item for food enthusiasts everywhere.
Why Homemade is Always Better: The Customization Advantage
With so many pre-mixed Everything Bagel Seasoning blends available on grocery store shelves, you might wonder: why bother making it yourself? The answer lies in one powerful word: customization. When you embark on the journey of creating your own spice blends at home, you gain complete control over every aspect of the final product. This means you can precisely tailor the ratios of each ingredient to match your personal preferences and dietary needs. Do you prefer a bolder garlic punch or a milder onion flavor? Are you sensitive to salt, or do you enjoy a generous sprinkle? Homemade allows you to fine-tune every nuance, creating a blend that is perfectly yours. Beyond customization, making your own offers several other compelling benefits:
- Freshness: Store-bought spices can sit on shelves for extended periods, losing their potency. When you grind or mix your own, you’re guaranteed the freshest, most vibrant flavors.
- Quality Control: You choose the quality of each individual ingredient, ensuring that your blend is free from unwanted additives, anti-caking agents, or excessive fillers.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Buying individual spices in bulk is often more economical in the long run than repeatedly purchasing small containers of pre-mixed blends, especially if you use it frequently.
- Adjustability for Dietary Needs: Easily make it salt-free, low-sodium, or adjust for specific allergens if necessary.
The Origins of a Beloved Blend
While the exact origins of the Everything Bagel and its iconic seasoning are shrouded in a bit of culinary folklore and competing claims, the prevailing narrative often points to the 1980s. Several individuals, primarily bagel shop owners and bakers in New York, are credited with experimenting with leftover seeds and seasonings from various bagel varieties. The idea was to combine all the beloved toppings—poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt—onto a single bagel, creating a “everything” option for those who couldn’t decide or simply wanted it all. This innovative concept quickly caught on, becoming a runaway success due to its complex flavor profile and appealing texture. What started as a clever way to utilize ingredients became a culinary sensation that would eventually inspire one of the most popular spice blends of our time.
Essential Ingredients for Authentic Everything Bagel Seasoning
At its heart, Everything Bagel Seasoning is a harmonious blend of typically six distinct ingredients: a mix of seeds, dried aromatics, and salt. The beauty of this recipe is that many of these components are likely already nestled on your spice rack. If not, they are readily available at any well-stocked grocery store or your favorite specialty spice shop. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to create this flavor powerhouse:
- Poppy Seeds: These tiny, dark seeds contribute a delightful, subtle crunch and a mild, earthy, and slightly nutty flavor. They are a quintessential element, providing visual contrast and textural interest.
- Sesame Seeds: The cornerstone of that classic toasted, nutty aroma and taste. To achieve the seasoning’s characteristic speckled appearance, a combination of both black sesame seeds and white sesame seeds is highly recommended. The black seeds offer a slightly more intense, earthy flavor, while white seeds are milder and toast beautifully.
- Dried Minced Onion: This ingredient provides a sweet, aromatic, and savory onion flavor without the moisture or sharpness of fresh onion. When rehydrated slightly by cooking or exposure to moisture, it releases a wonderful depth of flavor.
- Dried Minced Garlic: Essential for that pungent, garlicky kick that defines the blend. Using dehydrated or dried garlic is crucial here, as it offers a mellower, more nuanced garlic flavor compared to the intense sharpness of raw garlic. It also contributes to the dry, shelf-stable nature of the seasoning.
- Salt: The final, vital component that brings all the flavors together. The type of salt you choose can significantly impact the final texture and taste. For a gourmet touch, consider using Fleur de Sel or Maldon flaked sea salt. With Maldon, gently crush some of the larger flakes between your fingertips before measuring to ensure even distribution. If you opt for coarse sea salt, make sure the granules aren’t excessively large to avoid pockets of intense saltiness. For those who love an extra textural element, pretzel grain salt, often favored by professional bagel shops, delivers a satisfying crunch. Alternatively, Kosher salt is a perfectly acceptable and widely available substitute.
Crafting Your Signature Blend: Customization Tips
The beauty of homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning lies in its inherent adaptability. While the classic ratio is fantastic, don’t hesitate to experiment and adjust the proportions of each component to align with your unique taste preferences. Think of the recipe as a starting point, a canvas for your culinary creativity:
- Flavor Balance: Are you an onion aficionado who craves a stronger sweet and savory depth? Increase the amount of dried minced onion. Conversely, if you prefer a less intense garlic presence, simply reduce the dried minced garlic. I, for instance, often opt for a slightly less garlicky blend to let the other flavors shine.
- Salt Levels: Dietary considerations are effortlessly accommodated here. If you’re managing sodium intake, decrease the salt amount, or for a completely salt-free version, omit it altogether. You can always add salt to your dish separately.
- Textural Variety: Experiment with different grinds of dried onion and garlic. Some prefer finer minced pieces for a smoother blend, while others enjoy chunkier bits for added texture.
- Beyond the Classics: Embrace Additions: Over the years, I’ve encountered various bagel shops that elevate their classic blend with intriguing additions. Consider incorporating ingredients like caraway seeds for a warm, peppery note, or crushed fennel seeds for a subtle hint of licorice and sweetness. When adding these, a good rule of thumb is to use them in proportions similar to your other seeds for a balanced profile. Smoked paprika can also add a delightful smoky depth, while a pinch of red pepper flakes can introduce a subtle heat.
Remember, there’s no single “wrong” way to make this seasoning. The goal is to create a blend that perfectly satisfies your palate.
Recipe Tip: The Art of Toasting Your Seasoning
One of the key decisions you’ll make when preparing your Everything Bagel Seasoning is whether to toast the ingredients. I personally advocate for purchasing un-toasted seeds and aromatics. This approach offers the greatest versatility and maximizes shelf life. When using pre-toasted ingredients, especially if the seasoning will be baked onto a dish later, there’s a significant risk of the ingredients burning and developing an unpleasant bitter flavor.
However, many of my favorite applications for Everything Bagel Seasoning don’t involve subsequent baking (as you’ll discover in the “Uses” section below). For these instances, where you want that immediate nutty, complex flavor right out of the jar, a quick toasting session is highly recommended. The process is simple yet transformative: gently toast the mixed seeds and dried onion in a dry skillet on the stovetop. This brings out their essential oils, deepening their flavor and aroma, much like toasting nuts. I prefer to add the dried garlic and salt *after* toasting, as garlic can burn quite easily and become acrid.
To toast, combine your poppy seeds, sesame seeds (both white and black), and dried minced onion in a dry, heavy-bottomed skillet. Heat the skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even toasting. Keep a watchful eye on the mixture; you’re looking for it to become fragrant, and for the sesame seeds and onion to turn a light golden brown. This usually takes just 3-5 minutes. The moment they achieve this hue and release their enticing aroma, immediately transfer the mixture out of the hot skillet into a bowl or onto a plate to cool completely. Allowing it to cool in the skillet could lead to continued cooking and potential burning. Once cooled, stir in your dried minced garlic and salt. This method ensures maximum flavor development while preventing any bitterness.
Optimal Storage for Your Seasoning Blend
Proper storage is key to maintaining the freshness and potency of your homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning. Just like any spice blend, exposure to air, light, and heat can diminish its flavor over time. I personally prefer storing my seasoning in a glass spice jar with a tight-fitting lid or a round clip-top jar, but any opaque, airtight container will serve perfectly. If you choose a spice jar equipped with a shaker lid, ensure that the holes are sufficiently large or adjustable to allow the larger sesame seeds and minced aromatics to pass through easily.
Always store your jars in a cool, dark place, such as the back of your pantry or a dedicated spice cabinet. Avoid storing them near heat sources like the stove or direct sunlight, which can accelerate the degradation of flavors. When stored correctly, un-toasted seasoning can maintain its peak freshness for up to two to three months. However, for toasted seasoning, which offers a more immediate and intense flavor, I recommend enjoying it more quickly, ideally within a few weeks to a month. While it won’t necessarily spoil after this period, the vibrant, toasted notes will gradually mellow. For optimal flavor in every sprinkle, consider making smaller batches more frequently if you prefer the toasted version.
Beyond the Bagel: Creative Ways to Use This Everything Bagel Seasoning
While its name pays homage to the beloved bagel, this versatile seasoning blend is far too delicious to be confined to just one use. Everything Bagel Seasoning adds an unparalleled punch of savory flavor, textural crunch, and aromatic depth to a surprising array of dishes. Its unique combination of garlic, onion, and various seeds makes it an instant flavor enhancer for almost anything. Prepare to expand your culinary horizons with these fantastic ideas:
Breakfast & Brunch Enhancers:
- Eggs of All Kinds: Sprinkle generously over scrambled eggs, fried eggs, poached eggs, or frittatas for an instant upgrade. It’s particularly delightful on egg and cheese sandwiches.
- Avocado Toast: The quintessential pairing! Transform plain avocado toast into a gourmet experience with a generous dash.
- Lox Bagels (or Toast): Elevate your traditional lox and cream cheese setup.
- Breakfast Bowls: Add a savory kick to yogurt, cottage cheese, or grain bowls.
- Homemade Breakfast Burritos: Season your fillings or sprinkle on top.
Savory Snacks & Appetizers:
- Homemade Bagels, Breads, and Rolls: The obvious choice! Perfect for topping homemade bagels, soft pretzels, hamburger buns, or dinner rolls before baking.
- Crackers and Pita Chips: Incorporate into your homemade cracker dough or sprinkle onto pita bread before baking for flavorful chips.
- Hummus Garnish: Finish a bowl of creamy hummus with a swirl of olive oil and a sprinkle for added flavor and texture.
- Popcorn Perfection: Toss freshly popped buttered popcorn with Everything Bagel Seasoning for an irresistible savory snack.
- Cheese Balls & Spreads: Roll homemade cheese balls or mix into creamy dips (like cream cheese and sour cream blends) for an easy, flavorful appetizer. Serve with veggie sticks or bagel chips.
- Deviled Eggs: Replace paprika with a sprinkle for a unique twist.
- Pigs in a Blanket: Brush hot dogs in pastry with an egg wash and sprinkle before baking.
Main Courses & Sides:
- Roasted Vegetables: A game-changer for broccoli, asparagus, potatoes, carrots, or Brussels sprouts. Toss with olive oil and seasoning before roasting.
- Baked Salmon & Fish: Create a crunchy, flavorful crust for baked salmon fillets, cod, or other white fish.
- Chicken & Pork Coatings: Mix with panko breadcrumbs for an extra crispy and savory coating on baked, air-fried, or pan-fried chicken tenders, pork chops, or even tofu.
- Compound Butter: Stir into softened butter with fresh herbs to create a savory compound butter perfect for steaks, roasted chicken, or spreading on crusty bread.
- Rice & Grains: Stir into plain brown or white rice, quinoa, or couscous for an instant flavor boost. It’s also fantastic as a twist on traditional fried rice.
- Grilled Cheese & Tomato Sandwiches: Sprinkle on the outside of your grilled cheese before cooking, or add to a fresh tomato sandwich for an unexpected layer of flavor.
- Salad Topping: Instead of croutons, sprinkle a dash over your salads for crunch and flavor.
What’s your favorite, most creative way to use Everything Bagel Seasoning? Share your ideas in the comments below!
Everything Bagel Seasoning
by Amanda Biddle
Bring a taste of the bagel shop home! This popular, versatile seasoning blend takes only 5-10 minutes to make (depending on whether you’re making it toasted or un-toasted). Use it for bagels and beyond! Makes about 1/2 cup.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 2 tablespoons dried minced onion (not toasted)
- 1-2 tablespoons dried minced garlic (depending on how garlicky you like your seasoning)
- 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds (not toasted)
- 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
- 2-3 teaspoons Fleur de sel, flaked sea salt, or kosher salt (more or less, to taste, depending on the type of salt you’re using)
Instructions
For Un-Toasted Seasoning (to be used on foods that will be baked after seasoning)
- Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl. Store the seasoning blend in an airtight container in a cool, dark place at room temperature for up to 3 months.
For Toasted Seasoning (to be used on foods that won’t be baked after seasoning)
- Combine poppy seeds, minced onion, and white and black sesame seeds in a dry skillet. Toast over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is fragrant and the sesame seeds and onions are light golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. (Watch it closely so it doesn’t burn!)
- Immediately transfer the mix to a bowl and let it cool completely to room temperature. Stir in the dried minced garlic and salt. Store at room temperature in a cool, dark place, in an airtight container. For the best flavor, toasted seasoning should be enjoyed within a few weeks, up to a month.
Notes
For detailed ingredient descriptions and shopping tips, please refer to the Ingredients section in the article above.
For creative ideas on customizing your blend to suit your taste, see the Customization Tips section.
For inspiration on how to use your homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning in various dishes, explore the Beyond the Bagel: Creative Ways to Use section.
Nutrition Estimate
Serving: 1 teaspoon | Calories: 10kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 194mg | Potassium: 19mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
With this simple recipe, you’re not just making a seasoning; you’re crafting a versatile flavor enhancer that will revolutionize your meals and snacks. Enjoy the crunch, savor the flavor, and delight in the endless possibilities that homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning brings to your table.
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