This easy DIY everything but the bagel seasoning skips the salt but keeps all the savory crunch you love. Made with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic and onion, it's endlessly versatile and perfect for sprinkling over eggs, avocado toast, hummus, salads, or roasted veggies. Salt separately to your taste or skip for no salt! And check out the fun variations!
I love making my own seasoning blends—it gives me full control over the ingredients and makes it easy to customize with fun variations. Whether you want to skip the salt, add a little spice, or try something new like chia seeds or citrus zest, homemade blends are the way to go. And that includes everything but the bagel seasoning! Skip Trader Joe's and make your own.
Recipe Ingredients
- Sesame seeds – A mix of white and black sesame seeds adds color and classic nutty crunch. Use raw, not toasted, unless you want a deeper flavor.
- Poppy seeds – Tiny but bold, poppy seeds add that signature texture and a mild nuttiness.
- Dried minced garlic – Adds bold, savory flavor with satisfying crunch. Don’t substitute with garlic powder here.
- Dried minced onion – Slightly sweet and aromatic, this adds a key layer of flavor. Also labeled onion flakes.
- Chia seeds (optional) – For extra crunch and visual interest, chia seeds blend in well without altering the flavor. Not traditional but delicious.
- Salt (optional) - If adding, use a flakey sea salt or kosher salt, or coarse sea salt for the texture.
Please see the recipe card for measurements and salt.
Substitutions and Variations
Want a bagel blend with a bit more interest? Try these variations to take it to the next level:
- Sesame seeds - Use all white or all black depending on what you have.
- Want spice? Add crushed red pepper flakes, Aleppo pepper for heat, or Urfa chili pepper for an earthy smoky addition.
- Toasty version - Lightly toast the sesame seeds before mixing for a deeper, nuttier flavor.
- Citrusy twist - Add a pinch of dried lemon zest or sumac.
- Love fennel? Add fennel seeds.
- Nigella seeds - Has a lightly oniony, nutty taste that fits well into the flavor profile alongside sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, and dried onion.
Chef's tip: Leaving out the salt allows you to control the final seasoning of your dish. Salt separately to match the recipe or dietary needs, or add a little salt to the everything bagel recipe.
How to Make Everything Bagel Seasoning
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
- Stir or shake to mix well.
- Store in an airtight jar or spice container for up to 3 months at a cool room temperature.
Serving Suggestions
Here are a few of my favorite ways of using everything but the bagel seasoning:
- Sprinkle over avocado toast, cottage cheese, or scrambled eggs.
- Stir into Greek yogurt or sour cream for an easy dip or spread.
- Use as a seasoning for sesame crusted salmon or chicken before baking.
- Toss with roasted vegetables (great over asparagus and broccoli).
- Mix into sautéed greens (like spinach) for crunch.
- Sprinkle on salads, grain bowls, or even over hummus.
- Use to top homemade crackers, flatbreads, or baked rolls.
- Add a pinch to cream cheese and smoked salmon on a rice cake or bagel alternative.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! This version is salt-free so you can control the seasoning in your final dish. Add salt to taste when using it or stir in coarse salt if you want a salted batch.
You can, but the texture and flavor won’t be the same. Powdered versions blend in rather than stay crunchy and visible.
Use coarse kosher salt or flaky sea salt. Fine salt tends to settle and clump, while coarse salts mix better and give more texture.
More Recipes with Homemade Seasoning
Whether it's a simple taco seasoning, a blackening seasoning, an all purpose bbq dry rub, or a brine for turkey, check out these recipes for homemade seasonings (with more recipe to come).
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📖 Recipe
Everything Bagel Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons raw white sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons raw black sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic/garlic flakes
- 2 tablespoons minced onion/onion flakes
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds black or white, optional
- ½ teaspoon sea salt optional
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Instructions
- Add everything to a glass jar, add a tight lid and shake well. Store in a cool dark place for up to 6 months for the best flavor and freshness.
Notes
Ways to use
- Sprinkle in cottage cheese and over roasted vegetables, in salads.
- Add to a toasted bagel or toasted bread smeared with cream cheese.
- Use to top avocado toast for flavor, color and texture.
Variations
- Sesame seeds: Use all white or all black depending on what you have.
- Want spice? Add crushed red pepper flakes, Aleppo pepper for heat, or Urfa chili pepper for an earthy smoky addition..
- Toasty version: Lightly toast the sesame seeds before mixing for a deeper, nuttier flavor.
- Citrusy twist: Add a pinch of dried lemon zest or sumac.
Would you like to save this recipe?
Never lose a recipe! We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later.
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