There’s something magical about the combination of bagels and lox that brings a touch of elegance to any meal. Imagine the warm, chewy bagels paired with silky lox, rich cream cheese, and an array of toppings that take it to the next level. Ready to explore some delicious twists on this classic duo? Let’s get cooking!
The Heartwarming Tradition of Homemade Bagels
Every Sunday morning, I find myself in the kitchen, flour dusting the countertops as I prepare my beloved homemade bagels. The aroma of boiling water and freshly baked bread fills the air, taking me back to childhood breakfasts spent with family, where laughter and good food were the highlights of our day.
This recipe has become my go-to for special gatherings, effortlessly impressing guests while bringing a sense of comfort to our brunch table. It’s a simple yet rewarding process, and the satisfaction of pulling warm bagels from the oven never gets old.
People love homemade bagels because they can be customized in countless ways, from classic sesame to everything bagels, allowing everyone to find their favorite. Plus, the experience of making them from scratch adds a unique touch that store-bought just can’t match.

Quick Facts to Get You Started
- ⏱ Cooking time: 2 hours
- 🔥 Difficulty level: Medium
- 💰 Estimated cost:
- 🍽 Servings: 12 bagels
- 🎯 Best for: Weekend brunches
The Essential Ingredients for Success
- All-purpose flour. This forms the backbone of your bagels, giving them that perfect chewy texture.
- Active dry yeast. A vital ingredient that helps your bagels rise and develop flavor.
- Water. The main hydration component, crucial for forming the dough and achieving that shiny crust.
Creative Twists to Elevate Your Bagels
- Add herbs like rosemary or thyme into the dough for a fragrant twist.
- Top with a blend of seeds, such as poppy and chia, for a crunchy finish.
- Experiment with flavored cream cheeses like chive or roasted garlic for an extra layer of taste.
- Incorporate sweet ingredients like cinnamon or dried fruits for a delightful breakfast option.
Helpful Hints for Perfect Bagels
- Make sure your water is at the right temperature for the yeast to activate effectively.
- Boiling the bagels for a minute on each side helps create that signature chewy crust.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place to ensure it doubles in size.
- Use a pizza stone or baking sheet to achieve an evenly baked bottom crust.
- Don’t skip the toppings; they add texture and flavor that elevate your bagels.
These recipes are curated from across the web and around the world to save you time, inspire your creativity, and help you make better choices in the kitchen, so relax and enjoy the process of making homemade bagels!
Everything Bagels with Smoked Salmon
Smoked Salmon Bagel from Feel Good Foodie
Rating: 5. Ingredients: Smoked salmon, cream cheese, bagels, capers, red onion Total Time: 10 mins.
Everything Bagel Smoked Salmon Toasts from Sara Haas
Ingredients: Smoked salmon, cream cheese, whole wheat, everything bagel seasoning, capers
The BEST Smoked Salmon Bagel from Myriad Recipes
Ingredients: Cream cheese, red wine vinegar, asparagus, bagel, lemon Total Time: 30 mins.
These bagels are loaded with the classic “everything” seasoning, giving them a savory kick that perfectly complements the smoky flavor of the lox. Made with poppy seeds, sesame seeds, onion, and garlic, each bite is bursting with flavor. What makes this recipe special is the balance of textures—the crispy exterior and soft, chewy inside.
Ingredients: All-purpose flour, yeast, salt, water, honey, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried onion, garlic powder, and smoked salmon.
Serve them with a spread of cream cheese, capers, and thinly sliced red onions for a brunch experience everyone will love!
Herbed Cream Cheese Bagels with Dill Lox
Lox Bagel from Tastes Better From Scratch
Rating: 5. Ingredients: Cold smoked salmon, cream cheese, bagels, capers, red onion Total Time: 5 min.
Smoked Salmon and Herb Cream Cheese Bagels from Food Network
Rating: 4.7. Ingredients: Smoked salmon, cream cheese, bagels, green, milk Total Time: 10 min.
Smoked Salmon Bagel from The Spruce Eats
Rating: 4.3. Ingredients: Smoked salmon, cream cheese, lemon, bagels, capers Total Time: 25 min.
This recipe takes the classic bagel and lox to a whole new level with a creamy herb cheese spread. Think fresh dill, chives, and a hint of lemon zest mixed into smooth cream cheese. The freshness of the herbs paired with the delicate lox creates a refreshing and vibrant flavor profile.
Ingredients: Bagels, cream cheese, fresh dill, chives, lemon zest, lox, and capers.
It’s a stunning choice for a brunch gathering, bringing a taste of the garden to your table!
Honey Whole Wheat Bagels with Avocado Lox
Lox Bagel from Tastes Better From Scratch
Rating: 5. Ingredients: Cold smoked salmon, cream cheese, bagels, capers, red onion Total Time: 5 min.
Bagel and Lox from Easy Recipes From Home
Rating: 5. Ingredients: Cream cheese, bagel, hard boiled egg, lox, dill
Bagels and Lox from Delish
Ingredients: Cream cheese, bagels, capers, red onion, lemon juice Total Time: 10 min.
For a healthier twist, these whole wheat bagels are sweetened with a touch of honey and topped with creamy avocado instead of traditional cream cheese. The nutty flavor of whole wheat combined with buttery avocado creates a satisfying and nutritious option. What sets this apart is the way it embraces health without sacrificing taste.
Ingredients: Whole wheat flour, honey, yeast, salt, water, ripe avocado, and smoked lox.
This recipe is perfect for those who enjoy a lighter fare but still want to impress their guests!
Caprese Bagels with Tomato and Mozzarella Lox
Lox and Bagels Board from What A Girl Eats
Rating: 5. Ingredients: 5, 0(44)
Queenie's Killer Tomato Bagel Sandwich from Allrecipes
Rating: 4.7. Ingredients: 10 мин
Smoked Salmon Breakfast Bagel from Homemade Home
Ingredients: 20 мин
Imagine the classic Italian caprese salad transformed into a bagel delight! These bagels are topped with fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and basil, along with thin slices of lox. The combination of flavors is refreshing and colorful, making it a feast for both the eyes and the palate.
Ingredients: Bagels, fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, basil leaves, lox, balsamic glaze.
This recipe is a unique spin on the traditional bagel and lox, making it a fun and vibrant option for your next brunch.
Spicy Sriracha Bagels with Lox and Cream Cheese
Honey Sriracha Bagel with Smoked Salmon from Mash & Spread
Ingredients: Smoked salmon, cream cheese, bagel, honey, sriracha
Mini Lox Bagels with Sriracha from Terrapin Ridge Farms
Rating: 5. Ingredients: Mini bagels, ridge, salmon lox
Chili Crunch Salmon Cream Cheese Bagel from Jar Of Lemons
Rating: 5. Ingredients: Low carb, light cream cheese, chili, wild caught salmon, sliced cucumbers
For those who like it hot, these spicy bagels are here to satisfy your cravings! Infused with Sriracha in the cream cheese spread, this recipe offers a zesty kick that pairs beautifully with the delicate flavor of lox. The heat from the Sriracha complements the smooth creaminess, ensuring every bite is an adventure.
Ingredients: Bagels, cream cheese, Sriracha sauce, lox, and sliced cucumbers.
This spicy twist will make your brunch unforgettable and leave guests talking about it long after the meal is over!
Maple Pecan Bagels with Lox and Sweet Cream Cheese
Smoky Carrot Lox and Cashew Cream Cheese Bagels from Robin Asbell
Ingredients: Liquid smoke, nutritional yeast, coconut oil, cashew cheese, fresh dill weed
Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Bagel Board from Creative Culinary
Ingredients: Cream cheese, salmon, everything but, cherry tomatoes, mini bagels Total Time: cream cheese, salmon, everything but, cherry tomatoes, mini bagels.
Bagel Breakfast Board from Bread Booze Bacon
Rating: 5. Ingredients: Smoked salmon, pecan cream cheese, whipped cream cheese, mini cinnamon raisin, lemon Total Time: smoked salmon, pecan cream cheese, whipped cream cheese, mini cinnamon raisin, lemon.
Sweet meets savory in this delightful recipe that features maple-infused bagels topped with a creamy sweet cheese spread. The crunch of pecans adds a lovely texture, while the lox brings a luxurious touch. What makes this recipe shine is the unique blend of flavors that create a perfect balance of sweet and salty.
Ingredients: Bagels, maple syrup, chopped pecans, cream cheese, and lox.
This sweet and savory combination is sure to impress your guests, making them feel like they’re dining in a fancy café!











