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Here are 20+ things to serve with Bagels! Crafting the perfect accompaniments to bagels can transform a simple breakfast or brunch into a delightful, flavorsome experience. From the classic cream cheese spreads to savory and sweet toppings, the options are as diverse as they are delicious. Pairing these chewy, doughy delights with complementary flavors opens a world of possibilities.
A bagel is a round, chewy bread with a crispy outside and a dense inside. Made by boiling the dough before baking, giving it that chewy texture and shiny crust. While a plain bagel is good, you can also get them in various flavors like sesame, poppy seeds, and more. I love to toast them and add spreads or use them for sandwiches. They’re basically a delicious, versatile go-to bread! Keep scrolling to see some ideas for toppings and spreads along with tasty dishes to serve with your fresh bagels to take them to the next level!
If you have any special occasions (these are a hit at baby showers or bridal showers) coming up and you want to serve brunch, just serve the items below on a table and make a bagel bar! Place some bagels or Mini Bagels, and array of toppings and spreads, cheese and fruit and smoked salmon and you’ll have a little bit of everything for your guests.
Bagel Bar Spreads
- Array of Cream Cheese Flavors
- Peanut Butter
- Butter or Honey Butter
- Hummus
- Guacamole or Sliced Avocado
- Roasted Garlic
- Fruit Jams or Preserves
- Nutella
- Honey
- Chicken Liver Paté
Bagel Toppings
- Sliced Deli Meats: Such as turkey, ham, or roast beef for savory bagel sandwiches.
- Cheese: Sliced cheddar cheese, Swiss Cheese, or goat cheese to complement the bagel.
- Cold-Smoked Salmon (Lox): Often paired with cream cheese for a classic combination.
- Fresh Vegetables: Sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, green onions, red onion, capers, lettuce, or sprouts for a refreshing touch.
- Eggs: Scrambled, fried, or in omelet form to add protein and richness.
- Bacon or Sausage: Crispy bacon strips or sausage patties for a hearty bagel sandwich.
- Everything Seasoning: A blend of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic, onion, and salt for a flavorful crust.
- Fresh Herbs and Spices: Fresh basil, fresh dill, cilantro, or even red pepper flakes to add a kick of flavor.
- Fruit or Berry Compotes: Sweet options like apple butter, raspberry preserves, or sliced strawberries are perfect if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth.for
- Fresh Fruits: Sliced melon, berries, or a fruit salad.
What To Serve With Bagels (20+ Tasty Ideas!)
Broccoli Cheese Soup: Creamy, cheesy and oh so yummy, this Broccoli Cheese Soup will knock your socks off! Soup is always a good choice for a cozy night in. Grab some broccoli and cheese and get cooking!
Bagel Sandwich: This Bagel Sandwich is everything you love about a bagel sandwich minus all the guilt!
Bloody Mary: If you’re looking for a fun and boozy brunch option, you can’t go wrong with one of these. Bloody Mary is a classic cocktail made with vodka, tomato juice, spices, and garnished with celery or other savory items.
Cream of Mushroom Soup: This Cream of Mushroom Soup is as easy as they come. Lots of straightforward ingredients, simple steps, and a delicious end product.
Hard-Boiled Eggs: Have some hard-boiled eggs on the side of your bagel to make this a delicious breakfast! Use my instant pot method for the easiest hard boiled eggs ever!
Pumpkin Soup: This creamy Pumpkin Soup recipe is filled with lots of warm spices, maple syrup, pumpkin, and heavy cream making it savory, a little sweet and so creamy!
Creamy Carrot Soup: This Creamy Carrot Soup is simplicity at its finest. A ridiculously easy, thick and creamy soup that is made with carrots, onions and potatoes. It’s the perfect comforting soup to serve with bagels.
Loaded Potato Soup: Potato Soup is the ultimate comfort food and totally customizable with your favorite baked potato toppings-bacon, cheese, sour cream, chives, and whatever else your heart desires! Pairing this soup with a bagel is an easy way to make this into a hearty meal!
Creamy Tomato Bisque: This Creamy Tomato Bisque is absolutely sinful! This soup is filled with lots of veggies, plus butter and cream for good measure and blended to perfection!
Fruit Salad: This Fruit Salad Recipe is filled with delicious fresh fruit and topped with a simple lemony vanilla syrup as a dressing. Make in advance or serve immediately. Delicious for a snack, dessert, or potluck.
Smoked Salmon: A side of smoked salmon along with some fruit and other breakfast items would be perfect for your next Sunday Brunch!
Charcuterie Board: Top your bagel with the spread of your choice and snack on your favorite meats, fruits and cheeses. If you’re looking for affordable cheese board inspo you should check out my $25 Cheese Board!
Greek Yogurt: Plain or flavored yogurt, or a parfait with granola and fruit.
Egg Salad: A Healthy Egg Salad Recipe that is lower in fat, high in protein, and all-around delicious! Adapted from my Classic Egg Salad Recipe. Perfect for sandwiches, crackers, or pita chips.
Green Salad: A green salad combines fresh lettuce, spinach, or mixed greens with assorted vegetables, creating a crisp and refreshing dish perfect for any meal.
Tuna Salad: Flaked tuna with mayonnaise, celery, and seasonings for a flavorful sandwich filling or topping.
Healthy Chicken Salad: This Healthy Chicken Salad is delicious because it’s made with white meat chicken, non-fat greek yogurt, and zucchini. Enjoy on a bagel.
Potato Chips: A crunchy addition for a casual meal or snack. Try my homemade Kettle Chips!
Cucumber Tomato Salad: A classic and delicious salad, this Cucumber Tomato Salad is light, refreshing and so so easy to make!
Pickles: Classic dill pickles or pickled vegetables for a tangy bite. Store bought would work, but if you have the time, you MUST make homemade dill pickles – total game changer!
Cucumber Salad: Cucumber Salad is cool, crunchy, refreshing, and easy to throw together!
Vegetable Sticks: Carrot, celery, or bell pepper sticks with dip for a refreshing crunch. This is a great way to get in some vegetables with your delicious bagel!
Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers: My Everything Bagel Stuffed Peppers are begging to be paired with a bagel!
Breakfast Sausage: This Homemade Breakfast Sausage is going to knock your socks off. Super tasty and surprisingly easy…just a handful of seasonings mixed together with ground pork, plus a secret ingredient! Perfect for a bagel sandwich!
Bacon: Bacon, with its crispy texture and savory, smoky flavor, adds a deliciously indulgent touch to any dish, elevating it to a whole new level of tasty satisfaction. Try cooking bacon in the oven!
Quiche: This Easy Quiche Recipe is made with Chicken Sausage and Asparagus and turns out effortlessly gorgeous as well as so so tasty! Enjoy!
Frittata: Easy, fast, and totally customizable this is the perfect Frittata recipe to make for breakfast! A great addition to your bagel bar.
Overnight Breakfast Casserole: This Overnight Breakfast Casserole made with brioche bread is so decadent and perfect for a holiday morning crowd. Make ahead the night before and breakfast will be a breeze.
Whether you’re a fan of classic cream cheese or love to experiment with adventurous toppings, the humble bagel remains a comforting and versatile treat. Its simplicity pairs perfectly with endless flavor possibilities, making it a go-to choice for breakfast, brunch, or any time you crave a satisfying bite. So next time you reach for a bagel, enjoy the chewiness and relish the toppings!
If you make these recipes, I would really appreciate it if you would give them a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.
