Bagels are the absolute GOAT, and no one can refute that fact!
What’s not to love about bagels? They are delicious beyond human imagination. They are portable and convenient to eat. And they are the perfect meal that you can have any time during the day.
Although plain or cream cheese bagels are the perfect on-the-go breakfast, there are so many fun bagel toppings that you can try to experiment with, especially when you’ve got some time on your hands.
Some bagel toppings are amazingly refreshing and light, while some others are oh-so-filling.
So, step out of the familiar plain cream cheese toppings and explore the following creative and often fun bagel topping ideas!
Nutella and strawberries
Take out that enormous jar of Nutella and spread a generous amount of this delicious chocolate and hazelnut spread on top of fresh bagels.
Top the Nutella with halved strawberries and then sprinkle some chopped hazelnut for a divine-looking bagel topping.
Garden fresh with cream cheese
If you’re looking for refreshing bagel topping ideas, then look no further than this cream cheese topping. Mix ¼ cup of chopped fresh dill with 1 cup of softened cream cheese and chill the spread for about 2 hours. Put the chilled spread over your bagels and then top them with shredded zucchini and carrots for a refreshing, crunchy, creamy, and ultimately flavorful meal.
Another cream cheese!
This is another one of my cream cheese favorites! Combine ¼ cup of key lime juice with 1 cup of softened cream cheese and let it chill for about 2 hours before spreading it on top of your bagels. Then, sprinkle the cream cheese with shredded coconut, toasted macadamia nuts, and grated key lime peel.
Avocados
Wanting a twist with your avocado toast? Try this fun bagel topping! Avocados work well on top of bagels, thanks to their creamy texture and versatile nature. To keep things simple, put some cut avocado slices on top of your bagels and top them with a poached egg for an oh-so-delicious bagel delight.
PB&J
Nothing says comfort food better than a generous aid of peanut butter and red apple jelly on top of freshly-prepared bagels. This old school topping is a must-have if you’re in the mood for a cheer-me-up food!
Pizza, pizza, pizza!
Looking for truly fun bagel topping ideas? Look no further and dish out a pizza bagel! Top your fresh bagels with spicy marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni slices for a cheesy and meaty treat! Don’t forget to microwave the bagel for a minute or two so that the cheese becomes mouthwateringly gooey.
Ham and cheddar
At times, all you want is a simple yet delectable topping for your bagels, and nothing works better than the classic combo of ham and cheese. So, put some ham and cheese in between two bagels and enjoy a ham and cheese bagel sandwich!
Chicken parmesan
Put that leftover breaded chicken parmesan on top of a bagel. Make sure to add that marinara sauce and some extra melted mozzarella on top for a tasty bagel, chicken, and cheese galore! The flavor of parmesan chicken combined with marinara’s tanginess and the texture of bagel is indeed magical.
The Caprese style
Why don’t you try out the Caprese style and put some pesto sauce, mozzarella, and tomatoes on your bagel? I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed with this tasty combo. Alternatively, you can put some burrata cheese on top of the spread to take your bagel toppings game to another level.
How to serve bagels
You can serve bagels as is with a simple cream cheese topping or with other toppings.
You can also create sandwich fillings such as BLT or the breakfast favorite bacon, eggs, and cheese and then put them in between two bagels for a bagel sandwich.
Tips and tricks
Here are some bagel topping tips that you need to remember:
- If you put soft cream cheese on a hot bagel, the cream cheese will melt. I advise you to allow the bagel to cool slightly before spreading the cream cheese on it. It doesn’t need to be cold but do be careful of melting and dripping cream cheese.
- Use cream cheese as a bit of glue to keep other items on the bagel. For example, put the cream cheese on the bagel and then add diced green onion on top. The onion will stick to the cream cheese and stay on the bagel better.
- If your bagel isn’t pre-cut use a serrated knife to cut them in half. Lay the bagel flat on the counter and cut it horizontally. Stop cutting half way through and then stand it upright and finish cutting it. Check out the full process here.
The bottom line
Next time you find yourself in a rut with your usual plain-cream-cheese-only topping on your bagel, these alternatives I’ve uncovered should finally allow you to consume bagels like they’re meant to! And you’re welcome!
I hope you enjoyed reading this guide on bagel topping ideas.
Make sure to try all of the toppings as each brings something unique to the table. Serve your bagels with the toppings or make a bagel sandwich by putting the toppings in between two bagels.
Bagel topping ideas
Here are nine of the most delectable bagel topping ideas to try, from the classic PB&J to avocados.
Ingredients
- Nutella and strawberries
- Garden fresh with cream cheese
- Another cream cheese topping
- Avocados
- PB&J
- Pizza
- Ham and cheddar
- Chicken parmesan
- The Caprese style
Instructions
- Pick some bagel topping ideas to try.
- Share with us your best pick!
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
Eve Mitchell
Tuesday 20th of June 2023
I loved that you said that avocados work really well with bagels. I'm trying to stop every morning and pick up breakfast before work, so I'm eating a full meal. It'd be so nice to find somewhere that serves filling breakfast bagels like these. https://libc.com/scarsdale/