Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: Make homemade everything bagel seasoning in just 5 minutes! Enjoy this garlicky, crunchy, toasty seasoning on bagels, meats, veggies, and just about everything. (It’s as good as Trader Joe’s!)
How long it takes: under 5 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: a bowl and spoon for stirring, plus a container for storage
Servings: This recipe yields about ½ cup of seasoning.

A wooden spoonful of everything bagel seasoning leaning against a bowl next to an everything bagel.
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Homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning

Today, we’re making our very own everything bagel seasoning. Ever since I perfected this homemade spice blend, it’s been next to impossible to resist sticking my finger into the jar every time I pass through the kitchen. I’ll also never run out of excuses to sprinkle it over everything from avocado toast to grilled chicken. Yes, it’s that good!

With only five easy ingredients and five minutes, you can make everything seasoning that’s just as good as any store-bought blend.

A wooden spoon in a bowl of everything bagel seasoning.

Why You’ll Love This Seasoning Blend

Classic “everything” flavor. This seasoning is crunchy, garlicky, nutty, and toasty. The secret is getting the ratios of the ingredients just right, for the perfect balance of flavors.

Easy to make and adapt to your preferences. Who knew it was this easy to recreate a bagel shop favorite at home? This DIY recipe is ready in minutes. Homemade seasoning blends are so easy to make and, and the best part is, you’re in control of the flavor ratio. Craving more garlic? Go right ahead. Prefer more sesame? You bet. Feel free to adapt this recipe however it suits you.

Versatile. There are a million ways to use everything seasoning. Dress up plain bagels or homemade soft pretzels, sprinkle over popcorn, and mix it into cream cheese spread. You can even use it to season chicken and fish. There’s no end to the possibilities. (Be sure to try my bagel and lox board, with everything seasoning as a key ingredient!)

Close up of everything bagels next to a white cloth.

What Is an Everything Bagel?

If you’ve ever frequented a bagel shop, an everything bagel is loaded with all the toppings you’d find on other bagels: poppy seeds, sesame seeds, onion flakes, etc. It’s the perfect choice for the indecisive among us!

Trader Joe’s had the genius idea to sell Everything But the Bagel Seasoning. Basically, the seasoning blend minus the bagel. It’s no wonder the stuff went viral! This simple blend makes it easy to enjoy the flavor of everything seasoning on (literally) everything.

The ingredients for homemade everything bagel seasoning.

What’s In Everything Bagel Seasoning?

It turns out, you only need a handful of ingredients to make everything bagel seasoning from scratch.

  • Poppy Seeds – For crunch and texture.
  • Sesame Seeds – This recipe combines black and white sesame seeds for lots of visual contrast. Black sesame can sometimes be tricky to find. Feel free to use only white sesame instead, if needed (also see the tip below).
  • Dried Minced Onion and Garlic – For that delicious garlicky flavor. When it comes to your onion and garlic, use the dried flakes (not fresh or powdered).
  • Flaked Sea Salt – Flaked sea salt makes all the difference here. It’s salty but not overpowering. In a pinch, coarse sea salt will work.

Black vs. White Sesame Seeds

If you struggle to find black sesame seeds, try the Asian foods aisle at your grocery store or online. Sometimes, grocery stores will carry “tuxedo sesame seeds,” a combination of black and white sesame seeds. You can use 3 tablespoons of this mix instead of the amounts given for the separate seeds.

How to Make Everything Seasoning

Combine the ingredients in a bowl, and stir. Once you have the seeds and seasonings measured out, simply stir them together and that’s it! Store your everything bagel seasoning in an airtight container (see storage details below), and get sprinkling.

How to Make Homemade Everything Bagels

Use your freshly mixed homemade everything seasoning on top of plain bagels or biscuits. They’ll taste just as good as anything from your local bakery! Here’s how to do it:

  1. Give the top of the bagel or biscuit a light brush with water.
  2. Sprinkle over the seasoning, or dip the bagel into the seasoning to coat.
Overhead view of assorted everything bagels next to a bowl of everything bagel seasoning.

Tips for Success

  • Use dried herbs. Use the dried minced onion and garlic from the spice aisle at your local grocers. Don’t use freshly minced onion and garlic or the powdered kind.
  • Use the best salt. Flaked sea salt, like Maldon salt or something similar, is crunchy and not the same as regular table salt. Do not use table salt for this recipe. The tiny granules will sink to the bottom of the jar, taking their flavor with them.
  • Use toasted white sesame seeds for a richer sesame flavor. However, if you’re adding everything seasoning to bagels that will be toasted, you can skip toasting the seeds in advance.
  • This seasoning makes a great gift for your favorite foodie. Put it in a little jar with a cute label for giving!
Overhead view of smashed avocado toast topped with everything bagel seasoning, next to a bowl of seasoning and half of an avocado.

How to Use Everything Bagel Seasoning

There are endless ways to use this seasoning mix. Here are just a few ideas:

A bowl of everything seasoning next to a spoonful, and two everything bagels.

How to Store

Store your everything bagel seasoning in an airtight jar or container. Keep it somewhere cool and dry, like a pantry, for up to 6 months. 

More Seasoning Mixes

Recipe

Everything Bagel Seasoning

5 from 2 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 24
Easy homemade everything bagel seasoning with only 5 ingredients. It's the perfect seasoning mix to sprinkle over bagels, meats, veggies, and just about everything!
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Ingredients 

  • 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
  • 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons dried minced onion
  • 2 tablespoons dried minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons flaked sea salt (or coarse kosher salt)

Instructions 

  • Add all ingredients to a small bowl. Stir to combine. (See the notes section for instructions on using the mix to season plain bagels.)

Notes

  • Yield: Makes about ½ cup of seasoning, 24 (1 teaspoon) servings.
  • To make everything bagels: To use the seasoning on plain bagels, brush or sprinkle the bagel surface lightly with water and sprinkle the seasoning over the bagel.
  • Storage: Store in an airtight container or jar in a cool, dry place for up to six months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1teaspoon, Calories: 13kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 0.5g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 0.1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Sodium: 195mg, Potassium: 25mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 0.2g, Vitamin A: 0.2IU, Vitamin C: 0.3mg, Calcium: 22mg, Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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