Name: Everything Bagel Seasoning
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
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))

Make homemade everything bagel seasoning in minutes! All you need is five ingredients. Enjoy this garlicky, crunchy, toasty seasoning on bagels, meats, veggies, and just about everything.

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: Make savory and versatile everything bagel seasoning that’s just 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.

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, you can make everything seasoning that’s just as good as any store-bought blend. 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.

A wooden spoon in a bowl of everything bagel seasoning.

Why You’ll Love This Seasoning Blend

Easy to make. Who knew it was this easy to recreate a bagel shop favorite at home? This DIY recipe is ready in minutes.
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.
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.

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. Below is an overview. Don’t forget to scroll for the full amounts and details available in the recipe card.

Poppy Seeds – For crunch and texture.
Sesame Seeds – This recipe combines black and white sesame seeds. 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 food 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.

Everything bagel seasoning ingredients combined in a mixing bowl next to a spoon.

Everything bagel seasoning ingredients stirred together in a mixing bowl with a spoon.

How to Make Everything Seasoning

With your seeds and dried herbs ready, combine the ingredients in a bowl, and stir. That’s it! Store your everything bagel seasoning in an airtight container (see storage details below), and get sprinkling.

A rubber basting brush coats a plain bagel with water, to be coated with everything bagel seasoning.

A hand sprinkles everything bagel seasoning over a plain bagel.

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!

Give the top of the bagel or biscuit a light brush with water.
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

Here are some last-minute tips and tricks for making perfect everything bagel seasoning:

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 similar, is light, crispy, 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 little 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.

More Ways to Use Everything Bagel Seasoning

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

Butter or Cream Cheese. Make seasoned cream cheese or butter spread that’s perfect for spreading on a plain bagel or crackers.
Eggs. This seasoning tastes great sprinkled on hard-boiled eggs, deviled eggs, fried eggs, and even scrambled eggs.
Breading. Stir it into breading mixes for crispy air fryer chicken tenders or fish.
Avocado Toast. Everything bagel seasoning is the best topping for avocado toast!
Snacks. Use this seasoning to flavor plain popcorn or sprinkle it over plain hummus.
Meats. Season meat dishes like roasted chicken, grilled salmon, and seafood.
Salads. Try it as a flavoring for salads and coleslaw. I love everything seasoning sprinkled on top of a leafy spinach salad for extra crunch.
Vegetables. Season roasted vegetables or sauteed veggies with it.
Mac and Cheese. Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning over macaroni and cheese. A kid-friendly favorite!
Potatoes. Sprinkle your everything seasoning mix on top of french fries or crispy roasted potatoes.

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.

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