I love bagels. I REALLY love Everything bagels. Then I started to think about it – do I really love the bagels themselves or is it the seasoning on top. And furthermore, why is this stuff not in/on anything else? So I decided to test this out but first I had to make up my own seasoning blend. Yeah… let’s just say this took me a bit to come up with. Now if you cheat and scroll to the recipe below you’ll be like “Seriously Lor, it took you a while to come up with this?” And the answer is yes. I went through a bajillion variations of this – caraway seeds, fennel seeds, celery salt, pepper and powdered spices.
EVERYTHING.
The thing is, it was all me. I honestly just over complicated it. I forgot the first rule of cooking – K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Stupid. Actually isn’t that pretty much the first rule of life?
The key with this is really 2 simple things:
- K.I.S.S. when it comes to what’s in the mix. No need to fancy it up with this, that or the other.
- Toast the seeds, dried onions and garlic. Trust me on this. By toasting them all you make the flavors “bloom” and the seasoning blend becomes richer with a deeper flavor.
Now when I came up with this seasoning blend I was worried that it was a one trick pony and you all know that’s not something I’m about. I’m all into repurposing items/dishes. Naturally I went with topping it on homemade bagels and breads. That’s pretty straight forward. Next I went into using it in and on homemade crackers. By adding it to the mix there’s no need to even top it with a dip though I’m not going to turn away dip here peeps. I’ve also used it on Thai dishes as a finishing touch; same with on top of hummus and even plain ol’ dippy eggs with smashed avocados on toast (YUM!) My Fav!
But to be honest it still rocks the best in cream cheese. However you’ll have to wait until my next post to see how I transform that into an Everything Bagel spread. For now, make up the seasoning blend, let it cool and then store it in an air tight container in a cool, dry place.
Everything Bagel Seasoning Blend
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Ingredients
- 4 Tbl dried onion flake
- 4 Tbl dried minced garlic
- 4 Tbl white sesame seeds
- 4 Tbl black sesame seeds
- 4 Tbl poppy seeds
- 1 Tbl Maldon Sea Salt Flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F, rack in the middle.
- On a rimmed baking sheet add both types of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried minced garlic and minced onion.
- Use a spatula and just give it a quick stir to mix. Spread the mixture out evenly on the pan and pop it in the oven.
- Bake for 3-5 minutes or until everything is golden brown and toasted. Do not burn.
- Remove from the oven and place the mixture onto a platter or heat-safe dish.
- Allow to cool completely, add in the salt, mix and store in an air tight jar in a cool dry place.
Notes
I personally love using Maldon Sea Salt Flakes in this blend versus table salt. I highly recommend it!
I’ve made this mix half a dozen times just in the last week! So addictive… and so much cheaper than the half hour trek to the nearest store for one-third the amount! Definitely keeping this stocked in my spice pantry!
A true everything bagel has caraway 🙁
I think that honestly varies from location to location. I’ve been to many New York bagel shops that didn’t use it while others did. I’ve also seen it where they’ve used oregano – fyi, it’s gross! LOL
Best Kitchen Wishes!
What size jar should I use?
Or how many Batches will fit in what size jar?
How long does this keep?
Hi Gwen,
The spice mixture will last 6-9 months.
Best Kitchen Wishes!
This is a GREAT recipe for EBT!! Toasting is an important step as is using Maldon Salt! If you can’t find it in your area, have someone (even a kind stranger…we have loads of those here in California) send you some…a couple boxes are $6 each off the shelf. You will LOVE it!!!
★★★★★
Thank you so much Fran!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
My husband loves everything bagels. I checked into the Maldon Sea Salt Flakes on Amazon & currently does not ship outside of the US. What would you suggest for a substitution as completely agree with the NO table salt.
Thank you.
Hmmm… You can use regular sea salt. Most grocery stores will carry that. What you’re looking for are the larger flake pieces of salt. In a pinch you can use kosher but watch how much you use as it’s a smaller grain.
Best Kitchen Wishes!
★★★★★
When do you add the salt?
★★★★★
Hi Pam,
Yeah the other Pam pointed out I missed that in the steps. It’s updated above.
Best Kitchen Wishes!
★★★★★
you don’t say when you do the salt. Do you add it after the it comes out of the oven?
Hey Pam, sorry about that and thank you for pointing that out.
You add the salt once it’s cooled and before you put it in the container. I’ve updated the instructions.
Best Kitchen Wishes!
★★★★★