Everything You Can Do with a Bagel

Jenny deRemer

Aug 22, 2025

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Bagels are one of those foods that can do it all—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between. Whether you like them toasted, topped, or transformed into something entirely new, bagels are the versatile stars of the kitchen. In this collection, we’re diving into all the delicious ways you can enjoy bagels beyond just the usual schmear. So, grab a bagel (or two) and let’s get cooking!

Table of Contents

How to Make Bagels

A cooling rack with various homemade bagels, featuring toppings like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and everything seasoning. The background is a light-colored surface with a light cloth beneath some of the bagels.
Image Credit: Culinary Hill.

Finding truly great bagels can be a challenge, so I decided to master making them at home. This recipe is simple to follow and uses everyday ingredients—no lye required! Once you’ve nailed the basics, you can get creative with toppings and flavors to satisfy every bagel lover in your household.

Get This Recipe: How to Make Bagels

Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Vegan Chickpea Salad Sandwich on a bagel with avocado, cucumber, microgreens, carrots.
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

This chickpea salad sandwich recipe is incredibly delicious! Smashed herby chickpea salad layered with avocado, tomato, and sprouts. Vegan.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole

A close-up view of a savory casserole dish, featuring baked, seasoned bread cubes mixed with melted cheese, cherry tomatoes, green peppers, and bacon bits. The dish is garnished with a sprinkle of seasoning and looks crispy and golden-brown on top.
Image Credit: Sally’s Baking Recipes.

This everything bagel breakfast casserole is the ultimate morning feast, blending bagels, everything bagel seasoning, bacon, eggs, and cream cheese into one satisfying dish. Prep it the night before, and you’ll have a fresh, warm breakfast ready to go in the morning!

Get This Recipe: Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole

Turkey Havarti Bagel Sandwich

A wheat bagel sandwich cut in half and placed on a rustic wooden surface. The sandwich is filled with lettuce and tomato slices.
Image Credit: Two Peas and Their Pod.

School is back in session, and if you’re struggling with lunch box ideas, we’ve got you covered! This Turkey Havarti Bagel Sandwich is a great choice for packing in school lunches. It’s quick to make—just 5 minutes—and the kids will love it!

Get This Recipe: Turkey Havarti Bagel Sandwich

Smoked Salmon Bagel

smoked salmon bagel.
Photo credit: The Big Man’s World

Learn how to make a perfect smoked salmon bagel that rivals all the sandwich shops out there! Just 5 minutes prep needed.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Salmon Bagel

Air Fryer Loaded Bagel Breakfast Bake Casserole

A person pours beaten eggs from a white bowl into a bundt pan filled with chunks of bread, shredded cheese, meat, and vegetables. The pan is on a white marble surface surrounded by bowls of spices, spinach, chopped meats, and cracked eggshells.
Image Credit: xoxoBella.

An air fryer loaded bagel breakfast bake is a refreshing alternative to cereal or toast! Also known as a simple breakfast strata, this bagel egg bake is perfect for Easter or Christmas brunch. Made effortlessly in an air fryer with stale or leftover bagels, this everything bagel casserole is packed with flavor!

Get This Recipe: Air Fryer Loaded Bagel Breakfast Bake Casserole

Breakfast Burger

A close-up of a gourmet burger with a poppy seed bun, featuring a fried egg with a runny yolk, mashed avocado, crispy bacon, melted cheese, a beef patty, a slice of tomato, and fresh spinach leaves. The burger is placed on a wooden surface, with juice in the background.
Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie.

On mornings when I need an extra boost, I love diving into a hearty breakfast burger. A juicy pork sausage and beef patty, topped with cheese, a fried egg, crispy bacon, and whatever else I’m craving, all nestled between a toasted bagel, is just what I need to kickstart the day.

Get This Recipe: Breakfast Burger

Berry Breakfast Bagel French Toast Casserole

A table setting features a plate of French toast casserole topped with powdered sugar, strawberries, and blueberries. Nearby, there are bowls of fresh strawberries and blueberries, a casserole dish with remaining servings, and two forks on a white cloth.
Image Credit: House of Nash Eats.

This easy, no-fuss Berry Breakfast Bagel French Toast Casserole is perfect for a laid-back weekend breakfast or brunch. Prepare it the night before, and it’s ready to pop in the oven when you wake up!

Get This Recipe: Berry Breakfast Bagel French Toast Casserole

Egg, Avocado, and Pesto Bagel Sandwich

A multi-seed bagel sandwich filled with fresh spinach, slices of avocado, and a folded egg. The sandwich sits on parchment paper with a halved avocado in the background. The filling is vibrant and hearty, showcasing layers of green and yellow.A multi-seed bagel sandwich filled with fresh spinach, slices of avocado, and a folded egg. The sandwich sits on parchment paper with a halved avocado in the background. The filling is vibrant and hearty, showcasing layers of green and yellow.
Image Credit: Two Peas and Their Pod.

Feeling stuck in a weekday slump? Shake it off with an Egg, Avocado, and Pesto Bagel Sandwich for breakfast. One bite of this delicious combo, and you’ll be ready to take on the day!

Get This Recipe: Egg, Avocado, and Pesto Bagel Sandwich

Bagel Bar

Two plates of bagels are displayed on a light surface, one open-faced with smoked salmon, avocado, onion, and herbs, and the other with the bagel top off to the side. Surrounding the plates are bowls of chopped chives, cream cheese, capers, and a small bowl of caviar.
Image Credit: Culinary Hill.

For bridal or baby showers, holiday brunches, and beyond, a Bagel Bar is the perfect way to let guests get creative with their bagel toppings. This interactive setup is not only beautiful and customizable but also incredibly easy to share with a crowd.

Get This Recipe: Bagel Bar

Bagel Breakfast Sandwich (Bacon, Egg, and Cheese)

A bacon, egg, and cheese bagel sandwich.
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This 20-minute bacon egg and cheese bagel breakfast sandwich is the best way to start busy mornings on the go!
Get the Recipe: Bagel Breakfast Sandwich (Bacon, Egg, and Cheese)

Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole

everything bagel breakfast casserole before baking
Photo credit: Sally’s Baking Recipes

This everything bagel breakfast casserole combines everything bagels, seasoning, bacon, eggs, and cream cheese for the ultimate satisfying breakfast!
Get the Recipe: Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

Read More About Me

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