Homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning Recipe

Everything Bagel Seasoning is the savory, crunchy mix you usually find on bagels — but without the bread. This simple homemade blend uses just a handful of pantry staples and brings big flavor to vegetables, meats, eggs, dips and more. It’s easy to make, customizable, and stores well so you can keep a jar handy for everyday use.

This all-purpose seasoning is especially great on roasted vegetables, baked or grilled chicken, toasted bread, avocado, and even mixed into dressings or dips. The texture from sesame and poppy seeds plus the pungency of dried minced garlic and onion create a satisfying, savory profile that complements many dishes.

What is everything bagel seasoning?

Everything Bagel Seasoning recreates the crunchy, mixed-seed topping commonly found on “everything” bagels. It combines sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic and onion, and salt for a bold, textured seasoning. While the blend became widely known after popular stores introduced packaged versions, making it at home lets you control the salt and ingredient quality, and you can adjust the proportions to suit your taste.

What is in everything bagel seasoning?

This recipe uses six simple ingredients that are easy to find in most kitchens:

1. White sesame seeds — toasted or raw, depending on preference
2. Black sesame seeds — add color and a subtle nutty note
3. Dried minced garlic — for savory punch
4. Dried minced onion — adds sweet, savory depth
5. Poppy seeds — for crunch and mild nuttiness
6. Coarse salt — adjust to taste

Everything Bagel Recipe Ideas

If you’re not using this blend on homemade bagels, here are many tasty options for adding it to everyday meals:

Crispy baked chicken wings crusted with everything bagel seasoning

Smashed red potatoes seasoned with the blend

Rainbow sesame noodle salad — add the seasoning for extra crunch

Use a spoonful to finish sweet potato or curry soups

Season sheet-pan salmon or other roasted fish

More Ways to Use Everything Bagel

Roasted Veggies: Sprinkle a few teaspoons over roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted red potatoes, or mixed root vegetables just after they come out of the oven.

Dips: Stir a tablespoon of the seasoning into cream cheese, Greek yogurt, sour cream, or whipped feta to make an addictive dip for veggies or crackers.

Hard-Boiled Eggs: A pinch of everything bagel seasoning on sliced or halved hard-boiled eggs is an easy, flavor-forward way to upgrade a snack or salad topping.

Meat and Fish: Use this blend as a dry rub for chicken breasts, pork roasts, salmon, or shrimp. It adds texture and a savory, seed-forward crust.

Soft Pretzels: Before baking homemade soft pretzels or rolls, brush with an egg wash or butter and sprinkle the seasoning on top for a bakery-style finish.

Soups: Add a tablespoon to soups and stews to introduce garlic, onion, and seed texture. The dried bits soften in hot liquid and contribute a pleasant savory backbone — works especially well in chicken noodle soup, beef stew, and vegetable soups.

How much everything seasoning should I use?

Because this homemade mix contains less salt than many commercial blends, you can be generous without overpowering a dish. Here are some starting points:

For 1 lb (450 g) chicken: Start with 1 tablespoon and increase to 2 tablespoons if you want a more pronounced crust.

For soups or stews: Start with 1 tablespoon, taste, and adjust if desired.

If you prefer a saltier result, add more coarse salt either to the mix itself or at the end to taste. Remember that different recipes and preparations will absorb salt differently, so always season to your preference.

Storage

Store the seasoning in a clean jar or airtight glass container. Keep it sealed and stored in a cool, dark place away from direct heat and sunlight. Properly stored, the blend will keep its best quality for up to three months. Shake the jar before each use to redistribute any settled particles.

Seasonings

If you enjoy making your own blends, try experimenting with other homemade seasonings. Start with good-quality dried ingredients and adjust salt and seed ratios to match the dishes you prepare most often.

Everything Bagel Seasoning Recipe

A versatile, crunchy all-purpose seasoning made from just six ingredients. Perfect for topping, rubbing, and flavoring a wide range of dishes.

By: Lee Funke

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 0 mins

Total: 10 mins

Servings: 8 (about 1/2 cup)

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons white sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons black sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
• 1/2 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 2 teaspoons coarse salt (adjust to taste)

Instructions

• Place all ingredients into a clean jar or glass container.
• Stir or shake the jar until the ingredients are evenly combined. If you prefer a slightly toasted flavor, you can lightly toast the sesame and poppy seeds in a dry skillet over low heat before combining; allow them to cool first.
• Seal the container tightly and store in a cool, dark place for up to three months. Shake before each use to redistribute any settled bits.

Tips & Notes

• Salt disclaimer: This homemade blend intentionally contains less salt than many commercial versions so it’s easier to use in recipes without over-salting. Adjust salt to your preference.
• Yield: Approximately 1/2 cup of seasoning. Nutrition information is estimated per 1 tablespoon.
• Variations: For a different flavor profile, add a pinch of crushed red pepper, smoked paprika, or swap coarse salt for garlic salt for extra garlic flavor. Toasting seeds adds a deeper, nuttier aroma.

Nutrition

Calories: 43 kcal,
Carbohydrates: 2 g,
Protein: 1 g,
Fat: 3 g,
Fiber: 1 g,
Sugar: 1 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.