Unleash a burst of flavor and satisfying crunch with this incredible homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning! This beloved blend is a culinary chameleon, transforming ordinary dishes into extraordinary experiences. Imagine the savory depth of garlic and onion, the nutty essence of sesame seeds, and the subtle pop of poppy seeds, all brought together by a hint of sea salt. Far more than just a bagel topping, this versatile seasoning elevates everything from breakfast eggs and creamy avocado toast to roasted vegetables and even crispy chicken breading. Get ready to revolutionize your spice rack and discover the endless possibilities this flavorful mix brings to your kitchen!
What Exactly is Everything Bagel Seasoning?
Everything Bagel Seasoning is a unique, savory spice blend that captures the essence of a classic “everything” bagel. Its origin traces back to the 1980s, credited to David Gussin, a New York bagel shop owner. The legend goes that Gussin, while cleaning up leftover bagel toppings, realized the delicious potential of this accidental mix. Instead of discarding the blend of seeds and spices, he decided to sprinkle it onto plain bagels, giving birth to a culinary phenomenon that has since captured the hearts and taste buds of millions.
Beyond its storied past, the blend is revered for its distinctive texture and bold flavor profile. It’s a harmonious combination of salty, savory, and slightly pungent notes, accented by a delightful crunch. This makes it an ideal complement to a vast array of foods, not just its namesake pastry. Its widespread popularity led to its commercial availability in grocery stores, but making it at home offers a superior experience with significant advantages.
Why Make Homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning?
While store shelves are now stocked with various brands of Everything Bagel Seasoning, crafting your own blend at home offers several compelling benefits that elevate your culinary experience and pantry management:
- Cost-Effectiveness: Purchasing individual spices in bulk and mixing them yourself is often significantly more economical than repeatedly buying pre-made blends. Over time, these savings add up, especially if you use this versatile seasoning frequently. Plus, having staple spices on hand allows you to create countless other homemade seasoning mixes.
- Unmatched Freshness and Flavor: Commercial seasoning blends can sit on shelves for extended periods, causing their potency to diminish. When you make your own, you start with fresh ingredients, ensuring a vibrant, aromatic blend that delivers maximum flavor. The difference in taste is truly noticeable, bringing a more intense and authentic punch to your dishes.
- Complete Customization and Control: This is perhaps the greatest advantage of a DIY approach. You are the master of your blend!
- Adjust to Taste: Love garlic? Add more! Prefer less salt? Reduce it. Homemade allows you to fine-tune the ratios to perfectly match your preferences and dietary needs.
- Dietary Considerations: If you’re managing sodium intake, you can meticulously control the salt content. For those with allergies or sensitivities, you have full transparency and control over every ingredient.
- Quality of Ingredients: You can choose high-quality, organic, or specialty spices, ensuring your blend is free from anti-caking agents, fillers, or artificial flavors often found in commercial products.
Quick Tip
Once you fall in love with this homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning recipe, consider exploring other DIY spice blends. Try whipping up a batch of Taco Seasoning, Fajita Seasoning, Pumpkin Pie Spice, or even Apple Pie Spice to keep your pantry stocked with fresh, vibrant flavors.
Essential Ingredients for Your Everything Bagel Seasoning
The beauty of Everything Bagel Seasoning lies in its simplicity. A handful of common pantry staples come together to create this iconic flavor. Here’s a closer look at the key components:
- Sesame Seeds (White & Black): These are the cornerstone of the seasoning, providing a delicate nutty flavor and a satisfying textural crunch. White sesame seeds offer a classic taste, while black sesame seeds contribute a slightly bolder, earthier note and striking visual contrast. If you only have one type on hand, feel free to use just white or just black, though a mix creates the most authentic “everything” experience.
- Poppy Seeds: Tiny yet mighty, poppy seeds are crucial for both texture and appearance. Their subtle, nutty-floral flavor complements the sesame, and their tiny, crunchy spheres add another layer of mouthfeel that is distinctively everything bagel. They also provide a visual speckled appeal to the mix.
- Dried Minced Garlic: This ingredient delivers a potent, aromatic garlicky punch. Unlike garlic powder, minced dried garlic retains a more intense flavor and adds a noticeable texture to the blend. It’s the savory backbone of the seasoning.
- Dried Minced Onion: Offering a strong, sweet, and savory onion flavor, dried minced onion (sometimes called dried onion flakes) is essential. It provides a deeper, more complex savory profile than onion powder, and like the garlic, contributes to the blend’s signature texture.
- Sea Salt Flakes: The type of salt used here is critical. Flaky sea salt, such as Maldon, is preferred over coarse or table salt. Its delicate, irregular crystals dissolve more slowly, providing intermittent bursts of salinity without overpowering the other flavors. It enhances and brightens the entire blend. If you don’t have flakes, a good quality coarse sea salt can be used, but adjust the quantity carefully as different salts have varying sodium levels and densities.
Quick Tip
Salt content varies significantly between different types and brands. If you’re not using flaky sea salt, or if you’re mindful of your sodium intake, add salt little by little, tasting as you go. Remember, if you’re using this seasoning on foods that are already salted (like store-bought bagels or salted butter), you might want to use less salt in your blend or omit it entirely and season the food separately.
Crafting Your Own Everything Bagel Seasoning Blend
Making your own Everything Bagel Seasoning is incredibly straightforward, requiring minimal effort for maximum flavor payoff. It’s truly as simple as gathering your chosen ingredients and combining them.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Gather Ingredients: Ensure you have all your high-quality white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, and flaky sea salt measured out according to your desired recipe.
- Combine: In a small bowl, simply add all the measured spices. Use a spoon or whisk to gently stir them together until they are evenly distributed. This ensures every spoonful of your blend delivers the full spectrum of flavors.
- Optional Toasting for Enhanced Flavor: While optional, toasting the seasoning blend can significantly deepen its flavor profile, bringing out richer, nuttier notes from the seeds and aromatic qualities from the dried garlic and onion.
- How to Toast: Heat a small, dry skillet (without oil) over medium heat. Add the seasoning blend and stir almost constantly for 3 to 5 minutes. Watch closely! The goal is for the white sesame seeds to turn barely golden and for the mixture to become fragrant.
- Crucial Warning: Spices can go from perfectly toasted to burned in a matter of seconds. Stay vigilant and do not step away from the pan.
- Cooling: Immediately remove the toasted seasoning from the hot skillet and transfer it to a cool bowl or plate to prevent further cooking. Allow it to cool completely before storing.
- When NOT to Toast: Avoid toasting if you plan to use the seasoning in something that will be baked, such as bread dough or a casserole, as the twice-heated spices might burn.
- Storage: Once mixed (and cooled, if toasted), transfer your fresh Everything Bagel Seasoning to an airtight container. A small jar or spice container with a shaker top works perfectly.
Quick Tip
Due to varying densities, smaller spices like poppy seeds tend to settle at the bottom of the container. Before each use, give your seasoning blend a good shake or stir to ensure all ingredients are evenly dispersed, providing a consistent flavor and texture with every sprinkle.
Unleash the Flavor: Creative Ways to Use Everything Bagel Seasoning
The versatility of Everything Bagel Seasoning truly knows no bounds. Once you have a batch ready, you’ll find countless ways to infuse its signature garlicky, nutty, and savory crunch into nearly every meal. Here are just a few ideas to inspire your culinary adventures:
- Breakfast & Brunch Power-Up:
- On eggs: Sprinkle generously over scrambled, fried, hard-boiled, deviled eggs, omelets, or poached eggs. It’s an instant upgrade!
- On avocado toast: The classic pairing! It adds a critical layer of flavor and texture to creamy avocado.
- Elevate cottage cheese and tomatoes: A simple, healthy snack made exciting.
- Add to breakfast sandwiches or wraps for an extra kick.
- Snacks & Appetizers:
- Over homemade pita chips or croutons: Bake with olive oil and seasoning for a gourmet crunch.
- Sprinkle on popcorn for a savory, irresistible snack.
- Mix into cream cheese for a homemade “everything” cream cheese spread.
- Stir into hummus or other dips for a flavorful twist.
- Season roasted nuts or seeds for a healthy, addictive snack.
- Main Courses & Sides:
- On roasted vegetables: Fantastic on Roasted Broccoli, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, or Roasted Cauliflower, adding a savory crust.
- Sprinkle over homemade fries, a baked potato, or baked sweet potatoes.
- Use as a crust for baked or pan-fried chicken or fish.
- Sprinkle on top of homemade pizza, especially on the crust, for a delightful crunch.
- Mix it with your favorite cooked grains like farro, quinoa, or rice for an instant flavor boost.
- Spruce up your favorite Potato Salad or pasta salad.
- Stir into mashed potatoes or potato pancakes.
- Top off creamy soups like this Easy Tomato Soup for added texture and flavor.
- Baking & Beyond:
- Spice up your favorite bread dough before baking for a savory, crusty loaf.
- Make a quick vinaigrette: Whisk with olive oil, vinegar, and a touch of honey for a unique salad dressing.
- Add to savory muffins, scones, or crackers before baking.
- Use as a rub for grilled chicken, pork, or tofu.
Storage
How Long Does Everything Bagel Seasoning Last?
Proper storage is key to maintaining the freshness and potency of your homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning. With a few simple steps, you can enjoy your blend for months:
- Container Choice: Always store your seasoning in an airtight container. This prevents moisture and air from degrading the spices and helps retain their aromatic oils. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids, or specialized spice containers, are excellent choices.
- Location Matters: Keep the container in a cool, dark, and dry place, such as a pantry, cabinet, or spice drawer, away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity. Avoid storing it near the stove or in areas prone to temperature fluctuations.
- Shelf Life: When stored correctly, homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning can last a considerable amount of time. Generally, it will maintain its peak freshness and flavor for about 6 months to a year. While it might still be safe to consume beyond this period, its flavor and aroma will gradually diminish. For optimal taste, aim to use it within 6-9 months.
- Revitalization Tip: If your seasoning starts to lose its aroma over time, a quick, gentle toasting in a dry skillet (as described in the “How to Make It” section) can sometimes revive its flavors, bringing out its hidden depths.
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Everything Bagel Seasoning
Video
A video demonstrating how to make Everything Bagel Seasoning is available. This seasoning is a flavorful, crunchy, and garlicky blend, perfect for a wide range of dishes including bagels, eggs, avocado toast, and chicken breading.
Equipment
- Large skillet for optional toasting
- Small mixing bowl
- Airtight storage container or spice jar
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons white sesame seeds
- 1-1/2 teaspoons dried minced onion
- 1-1/2 teaspoons dried minced garlic
- 1-1/2 teaspoons black sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 1 teaspoon Flaky sea salt (such as Maldon – see Recipe Notes for important salt information)
Instructions
- 1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Stir well to ensure an even distribution of spices. At this point, you can transfer the blend to a storage container or use it immediately in your desired dish.
- 2. Optional Toasting for Enhanced Flavor: To boost the depth and nuttiness of your seasoning, you may toast it. However, do NOT toast the blend if you plan to incorporate it into something that will be baked, as it risks burning the spices during the secondary heat exposure.
To toast, add the seasoning blend to a small, dry skillet over medium heat. Stir continuously for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the seasonings become fragrant and the white sesame seeds achieve a barely golden hue. Watch carefully, as spices can quickly go from perfectly toasted to burnt! Immediately remove the blend from the heat and pour it into a separate, cool bowl to stop the cooking process. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to a storage container.
- 3. Before Using: The smaller ingredients in the blend tend to settle at the bottom. Always give your seasoning a good shake or stir each time before using it to ensure a consistent mix of flavors and textures. Sprinkle generously on any dish you wish to enhance and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Storage: To maintain optimal freshness and flavor, store your homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning in an airtight container. Keep it in a cool, dark, and dry place, such as a pantry or cabinet, away from direct heat and sunlight. Stored properly, this versatile seasoning blend will retain its quality for 6 months up to a year.
Nutrition
Calories: 14kcal |
Carbohydrates: 0.8g |
Protein: 0.4g |
Fat: 1.1g |
Sodium: 581.7mg |
Fiber: 0.3g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.