I have this hunch, that the reason people like bagels so much is because there are SO many ways to eat them!
Just think about the endless possibilities… you can toast them and top them with butter and jam. You can slice them and serve them up with some cream cheese. You can even make them into a breakfast sandwich with bacon and eggs!
Me? I like a plain or multigrain bagel, slightly toasted with a shmear of vanilla walnut cream cheese… yum!
Now most of the time, I’ll pick up a bagel on the go. But I also like to make them at home! I typically start with my 2-ingredient dough recipe and get creative from there.
It’s so simple that I figure, “why not!”.
Ready to enjoy a bagel at home? Scroll down to find everything you’ll need including recipes, combos, toppings, and bagel-themed kitchen accessories.
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The Best Bagel Recipes and Toppings
Some people prefer sweet toppings. Others like their bagels with a savory taste. Looking to change up your go-to? Check out some of these unique ideas below.
2-Ingredient Dough
You can always go to the store to buy a bag of bagels, but if you want to try your shot at homemade ones, my 2-ingredient dough will make it easier than you think.
2 Ingredient Dough
Can flour and yogurt really combine to make a bread dough I want to eat? The answer is absolutely YES!
Ingredients
- 1 cup self rising flour
- 1 cup non fat plain greek yogurt (I highly recommend FAGE, I think it makes a difference) make sure you’ve stirred the yogurt so any water is mixed through.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- Mix the flour and yogurt together until dough ball forms. Put a little bit of flour on your work surface and lightly knead the dough. It shouldn’t be overly sticky, but is definitely a slightly wetter than a traditional bread dough.
- Divide into 4 equal portions.
- Roll into a ball, poke a hole in the center and form the bagel.
- For bagels, brush the dough with a beaten egg that has been mixed with a tsp of water. Sprinkle tops with salt, everything seasoning, sesame seeds or just leave plain.
- OR, roll the 4 portions into breadsticks. Brush with egg wash, then sprinkle with garlic powder and parmesan cheese.
- OR, divide into 2 portions and flatten into pizza crusts. Have fun with your toppings!
- For pizza, top with sauce, cheese and whatever toppings you like.
- For all, bake in oven for about 20-25 minutes or until a nice golden brown. Don’t underbake.
- Let cool slightly and enjoy!
This dough can be used for everything from pizza to breadsticks. But one of my favorite ways to use it is for bagels!
You can leave the tops plain, but I like to sprinkle mine with a bit of salt, everything seasoning, or sesame seeds.
Whipped Garglic Veggie Cream Cheese
This cream cheese recipe from The Comfort of Cooking is packed with flavor and texture.
It’s a flexible recipe meaning you can change up some of the veggie ingredients, but here’s what you’ll need if you’re trying to make the original.
Ingredients:
- 16 oz. regular cream cheese
- 1/2 green bell pepper, diced small
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced small
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper, diced small
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 chopped fresh dill
- Pinch of kosher salt
Instructions:
- Place cream cheese in a large bowl and whip until smooth with an electric mixer (about 1 minute). Add diced veggies, garlic, parsley, dill, and a pinch of kosher salt. Blend until well combined.
- Serve on top of toasted bagel halves or turn it into a dip.
- Transfer extra into a container and store refrigerated for up to a week.
Spinach and Artichoke Bagels
If you like my Asiago Cheese and Artichoke Dip I’m sure you’ll like this one as well.
Made by Chocolate with Grace, this recipe combines ooey and gooey flavors atop mini bagels. Since they’re bite-sized, they also make for a great appetizer!
Hosting soon? Below, you can find everything you’ll need to make them.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. fresh spinach
- 1 can 13 oz. artichoke hearts
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 small onion finely diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 5 oz. freshly grated Parmesan
- 14 oz. freshly grated Mozzarella
- 18 mini bagels cut in half
Instructions:
- Coarsely chop the spinach and drain the artichoke hearts. In a large bowl, beat together the mayo, sour cream and cream cheese until smooth.
- Stir in the onion, garlic and Dijon mustard. Gently stir in spinach, artichoke hearts and cheeses until well-mixed.
- Preheat oven to 375 F. Cut the bagels in half and lay them on a cookie sheet. Spread each with about two tablespoons of the dip mixture, and bake for 7-8 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve immediately.
Turkey Apple Cheddar Bagels
Sophisticated palate? This recipe from I Wash You Dry won’t disappoint.
While a lot of people enjoy bagels for breakfast, these toppings prove that bagels can make a great treat no matter the time of the day. And though these ones look a bit fancier, they’re actually pretty easy to make.
Ingredients:
- 3 plain bagels, halved
- 6 teaspoons horseradish Dijon mustard, divided
- 6-12 slices of turkey breast, thick-cut
- 2 large Honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced
- 1 cup Micro-greens
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and place bagels cut side up on a baking sheet lined with cooking spray. Bake the bagels for 5 minutes, or until lightly toasted.
- Spread the mustard over each bagel and top it with sliced turkey, apple slices and cheese. Return to oven for 5-7 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Top with micro-greens and serve!
Bagel Spreads and Seasonings
If you’re in a rush, sometimes the easiest way to top a bagel is with a pre-made option.
For all of my sweet topping fans, spreading Southern Roots Sisters jams on your bagel will take it to a whole new level!
This set includes cherry pepper jam, peach pepper jam and blackberry pepper jam.
But if you’re looking for even more options (or you’d like to gift some jars to friends) you can pick up the 6-pack of jams instead.
Another option if you’re looking for something sweet? Honey!
But instead of grabbing that honey bear from your cupboard, I wanted to share with you my favorite honey from Queen Honey.
We sell this two-pack over at the Just Jill Shop.
Each 8-ounce jar is non-GMO, gluten-free, and Kosher certified. Plus, the two flavors will give you multiple options for your next bagel breakfast or sweet treat!
The Everything Bagel Seed Mix is made in New York (talk about bagel pros) and it includes sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic, onion, and salt.
Exactly what you’d find on an everything bagel… just without the bagel.
I’ve also heard it’s excellent on avocado toast, roasted chicken, and fried eggs.
And although I recommend trying my dough recipe, I get that you might not have time. We’re all busy!
Instead, you can order our Bagelista Bagels from the Just Jill Shop!
Each pack includes 4 packs of 4 bagels (16 total). You can get a variety pack or individual flavors!
Bagel Accessories To Keep At Home
You have a toaster, but do you have these fun gadgets? Here are some bagel accessories that will make baking and serving bagels easier.
Struggle to slice a bagel perfectly down the middle? This little Bagel Biter gadget makes it easy.
And if you’re planning on making my bagel recipe, this set of Oven Bagel Molds will help you form your dough into bagel shapes with ease. I wish I found this earlier.
Oh, and it can also be used for doughnuts!
Throwing an at-home brunch gathering? Serve up a variety of bagels on this bagel bar from Etsy. It’s handmade in Oregon and features anywhere from one to six rods.
You can also choose the stain color to match your kitchen decor!
I may have forgotten to mention this, but it’s National Bagelfest Day! So if these bagel-inspired finds weren’t convincing enough to have one of your own, now you have no excuse!
From my home to yours,
Jill
