Smoked Salmon Bagel Bar
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on Mar 31, 2023, Updated Feb 25, 2025
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This quick and easy “recipe” for a Smoked Salmon Bagel Bar is the perfect make-ahead breakfast. After all, who doesn’t love a bagel breakfast sandwich??
Loaded with an assortment of bagels, cold cured salmon, chipotle-flavored schmear, and all your favorite veggies, this no-cook bagel board is easy enough for the hubby and kiddos to assemble and pretty enough for your favorite guests.
Why You’ll Love This Bagel Board
The beauty of this bagel board is its simplicity and versatility. Everything can be prepped the evening before, making it a breeze even on the busiest mornings. All you need is to thinly slice some onions, radishes, and cucumber, and—if you like a little extra kick—a touch of chipotle in your whipped cream cheese (totally optional). The key is to have fun with it: there’s no need for elaborate kitchen skills. Simply choose your favorite ingredients, arrange them beautifully on a cutting board or large platter, and in the morning, serve up halved bagels alongside the platter and your trusty toaster. Everyone gets to craft their own breakfast bagel masterpiece, and it’s as easy as that!
What Is a Smoked Salmon Bagel Bar?
When Mother’s Day used to mean a leisurely morning—with my kids helping my husband whip up breakfast and then delivering it to my bed along with coffee, flowers, and handmade cards—I cherished every moment. Those days have changed. Nowadays, with an early baseball game for my son and my daughter living on her own at college, my morning routine has turned into a quick race with my coffee and breakfast on the go.
This year, I decided to create a simple yet elegant spread that every busy mom can appreciate—whether she’s savoring a mimosa or taking her smoked salmon bagel sandwich along to a sporting event.
Ingredients & Substitutions
While the following ingredients are the components of my ideal salmon bagel, feel free to swap in or add anything your heart desires! There are no rules when it comes to bagel board ideas.
- Whipped Plain Cream Cheese – Softer and lighter than block-style cream cheese, whipped cream cheese is easier to spread straight from the fridge. Feel free to flavor it up with different additions like jam/jelly for sweet options or chipotles in adobo for some heat.
- Chipotle Pepper – Optional, for making spicy cream cheese.
- Assorted Bagels – Feel free to use either mini or full-sized bagels depending on the event and your crowd. If possible, spring for freshly made bagels to make your DIY breakfast even more special.
- Capers – For briny pops of salty goodness.
- Avocado – For extra rich and creamy texture. It also serves as a great option for the fish-averse. After all, Avocado Bagel > Avocado Toast.
- Heirloom Tomatoes – The sweet acidity of tomatoes is a perfect counterpoint to the rich, salty salmon.
- English Cucumbers – I prefer English cucumbers to conventional cucumbers because you don’t have to de-seed them. Just slice and serve!
- Radishes – Feel free to use several varieties of radishes for greater visual appeal. To get them extra crispy, soak them in ice water for 10-15 minutes after slicing them thinly.
- Red Onion – For a bit of bite. Shallots or sweet onions will also work, but I don’t think they’re quite as pretty on the platter.
- Fresh Dill & Basil – The easiest way to elevate any meal is adding some garden fresh herbs! Dill and basil are both natural flavor pairings for smoked salmon.
- Lemon Wedges – For a touch of brightness.
- Smoked Salmon – I suggest using cold-smoked salmon for a more traditional “lox & bagels” vibe. You’re also welcome to use gravlax, traditional Jewish lox, smoked trout, or any other smoked fish you like!
How To Make A Smoked Salmon Bagel Board
This “recipe” couldn’t be easier:
Step 1: Flavor cream cheese. Combine chipotle (if using) and cream cheese in a bowl.
Step 2: Arrange everything on a large board or platter and let everyone assemble their own bagels. Enjoy!
More of a visual learner? Watch the video below to see how simple this smoked salmon bagel bar comes together.
Optional Variations
When it comes to serving a bagel brunch, you have TONS of options. Aside from this deli-style lox spread, consider all the other things to put on bagels including:
- Nut or Seed Butter
- Jam, Jelly, or Preserves
- Butter
- Flavored Cream Cheese
- Fresh Fruit
- Scrambled or Fried Eggs
- Cheese
- Hummus
- Deli Meat
Expert Tips
Creating an aesthetically pleasing bagel bar is a fun and easy way to entertain guests or to simply elevate your breakfast routine. Here are some tips for creating a bagel bar that is as pretty as it is tasty:
- Choose a variety of bagels such as plain, sesame, everything, and cinnamon raisin (for the kiddos!). This not only ensures there will be a little something for everyone, but is also visually appealing with different textures and colors.
- Wait to toast the bagels so they don’t get stale. I like to set up the toaster right next to the bagel bar so folks can toast them to order.
- Provide a range of spread options such as plain and flavored cream cheese, butter, and vegan spreads like hummus to cater to different tastes.
- Add colorful toppings such as sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and avocado for a pop of color and visual interest.
- Use attractive bowls, platters, and jars to display toppings in an organized and visually appealing way.
- Use cake stands or tiered trays to create height and texture in your display.
- Use cute chalkboards or signs to label the different toppings and spreads.
- Add a few decorative touches such as flowers or greenery to add a pop of color and create a cozy atmosphere.
The key is to create an organized display that entices your guests to create their own customized bagel creations so you can sit back and enjoy.
Serving Suggestions
This bagel platter is a versatile and delicious spread that can be served on a variety of occasions. A smoked salmon bagel platter is the perfect choice for a casual brunch or breakfast gathering. It is also a great option for office meetings, conferences, or business lunches.
Setting up a bagel bar is also a great choice for catering events such as weddings, baby showers, and cocktail parties. Additionally, it can be a tasty addition to a holiday brunch buffet, such as Easter or Mother’s Day.
Storage Instructions
To properly store your assembled smoked salmon platter:
- Cover the platter tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it airtight.
- Place the platter in the coldest part of your refrigerator. The ideal temperature for storing smoked salmon is between 32-39°F (0-4°C).
- If the smoked salmon is sliced, place a damp paper towel over the top of the slices to keep them moist.
- Consume the smoked salmon within 2-3 days of purchase for optimal freshness and quality.
Keep the bagels at room temperature in an airtight container, and don’t toast them until you’re ready to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, smoked salmon can be frozen. Freezing smoked salmon can help extend its shelf life and prevent it from spoiling, but it may change the texture slightly.
To freeze smoked salmon, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent air from getting in. Then, place the wrapped salmon in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag, making sure to remove as much air as possible before sealing.
Frozen smoked salmon can last for up to 6 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to use it, remove it from the freezer and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Do not thaw smoked salmon at room temperature or in the microwave, as this can cause it to spoil or lose its texture.
More Easy Breakfast Recipes
Smoked Salmon Bagel Bar
Ingredients
- Whipped plain cream cheese or assorted cream cheese
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced (optional)
- Mini plain bagels and assorted bagels, sliced and toasted
- Capers
- Avocado, sliced
- Heirloom tomatoes, sliced
- English cucumbers, thinly sliced
- Radishes, thinly sliced
- Red onion, thinly sliced
- Fresh dill
- Fresh basil
- Lemon wedges
- Smoked salmon
Instructions
- Combine chipotle (if using) and cream cheese in a bowl.
- Arrange everything on a large board or platter and assemble your own bagels.
Video
Notes
- 1 regular bagel
- 1 tsp cream cheese
- 3 slices avocado
- 2 slices cucumber
- 1/2 tsp capers
- 40 g salmon
- 1 slice onion
- Choose a variety of bagels such as plain, sesame, everything, and cinnamon raisin (for the kiddos!). This not only ensures there will be a little something for everyone, but is also visually appealing with different textures and colors.
- Wait to toast the bagels so they don’t get stale. I like to set up the toaster right next to the bagel bar so folks can toast them to order.
- Provide a range of spread options such as plain and flavored cream cheese, butter, and vegan spreads like hummus to cater to different tastes.
- Add colorful toppings such as sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and avocado for a pop of color and visual interest.
- Use attractive bowls, platters, and jars to display toppings in an organized and visually appealing way.
- Use cake stands or tiered trays to create height and texture in your display.
- Use cute chalkboards or signs to label the different toppings and spreads.
- Add a few decorative touches such as flowers or greenery to add a pop of color and create a cozy atmosphere.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography by Raemi Vermiglio / Video by Pure Cinematography
Originally published: April 2018.
Yummy this looks so good and fresh
Sounds like a good choice for Mother’s day. Looks delicious too. Hope I don’t mess up this dish.