This Ultimate Lox Bagel has an everything bagel for the base, a homemade scallion cream cheese, homemade lox (option to use smoked salmon), capers, fresh dill, red onions, tomatoes, and avocado. All the things and it is so good! Perfect for a special weekend breakfast or brunch!
A Classic Bagel With Lox
We could literally eat this for breakfast almost everyday – it’s that good! However, we typically make it on a weekend or include it in a brunch menu. It has actually become a Mother’s Day brunch tradition at our house. The versatility of everyone being able to top their bagel the way the want makes the whole family happy! Personally, I love ALL the toppings but it is fun to see all the different ways that people like to make theirs. Let’s dive in to all things lox bagel!
What You Will Need
- scallion cream cheese spread – a perfect combo of plain cream cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and chopped scallions that you can whip up in minutes. Option to use another flavored cream cheese, if you prefer.
- everything bagel – feel free to grab your favorite type of fresh bagel, but we highly recommend an everything bagel!
- lox (or cured salmon) – this can be regular or smoked. Our easy lox is amazing but you can also grab what you like from your local grocery store.
- capers – great for a slight pop of crunch and texture.
- fresh dill – just a few sprigs really bring a lot of fresh flavor.
- red onion – this mild onion flavor really goes great with all the other toppings on this bagel.
- optional toppings: chives, fresh herbs, olives, tomato, lettuce, cucumbers, other veggies, etc. – the list could go on and on!
What Is A Lox Bagel
It is a bagel of choice with an amazing cream cheese spread and then topped with all of your favorite toppings, like lox, capers, & red onion. We used homemade lox for this recipe but you can also use smoked salmon. It is perfect for a light & delicious breakfast or add it to your list of brunch favorites.
Difference Between Lox, Nova Lox, & Smoked Salmon
The bagels can be made with a variety of different salmon options. Here is a little more info on each:
- Lox – this is typically a brined salmon fillet that has not been smoked. You can make you own lox at home or buy it from the store.
- Nova lox – this is a cold-smoked salmon and the name Nova comes from Nova Scotia, where a lot of cold-smoked salmon comes from.
- Smoked salmon – is usually cured and then either hot or cold-smoked – people tend to kind of inter-mix the terms “lox” and “smoked salmon” at times so feel free to use either in this recipe.
Any of these options would be great on a bagel. As always, use the one that works for you!
Recipe Variations
There are SO many different ways you could make this bagel! The topping options are endless. If you are looking for some options on how to top your bagel, we have some ideas for you! Some of our favorite toppings are tomato, avocado, lettuce, cucumbers, a sprinkle of goat cheese, or even a poached egg. Get creative and let us know your favorite combination!
PRO TIP – this recipe would make an amazing bagel bar! You can just set out all of the ingredients (like a charcuterie board, but a bagel board) and then let your family or guests build their bagel how they want. Perfect for Mother’s Day brunch!
What To Serve With A Smoked Salmon Bagel
To be honest, these delicious bagels can stand all on their own but if you are putting together a few items for a brunch menu, you could serve them with some fresh fruit, bacon, and/or American fries.
How To Make An Ultimate Lox Bagel
First, you will want to prepare your lox (if you are making our own).
Make sure you cut the slices nice and thin.
Continue to prepare all of your ingredients on a platter with some lemon wedges for a pop of color.
If you are making the scallion cream cheese spread, you will want to mix those ingredients together in a small bowl.
Let’s start topping that bagel – begin by generously spreading on the cream cheese spread.
Then add your toppings.
You can call it good there and put a cream cheese covered bagel on top OR…
Keep going with even more toppings!
For the most ultimate lox sandwiches of your dreams!
Don’t forget to check out my Instagram account for some behind-the-scenes action! Or give me a follow on Facebook or see what I am pinning on Pinterest!
Made this recipe and loved it?! We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!
Other Recipes You Might Like
Smoked Salmon Salad
Simple Mother’s Day Breakfast Toast
Ultimate French Toast Bake
Paleo Yogurt Parfait Cups
Ultimate Lox Bagel
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 bagel 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Counter Top
- Cuisine: American
Description
Ultimate Lox Bagel – epic lox bagel recipe with scallion cream cheese, optional homemade lox. Make it your own with all the add-in options!
Ingredients
Scallion Cream Cheese Spread:*
- 1 cup plain cream cheese spread (regular or dairy-free)
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup scallions, sliced (use more or less, as desired)
Lox Bagel:
- 1 everything but the bagel seasoned bagel, halved
- 1–2oz lox (cured salmon), either regular or smoked**
- 2 teaspoons capers
- fresh dill (just a few little sprigs)
- 1–2 thin slices red onion
- (optional) 2 slices tomato
- (optional) 2 slices avocado
Instructions
- If you are making the Scallion Cream Cheese Spread, combine those ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
- Take the bottom half of your bagel and spread a thick layer of scallion cream cheese on the bottom, spreading it on the cut side.
- Next, add the lox (you can add as much or as little as you want).
- Top the lox with some capers and fresh dill sprigs (not too much dill – just a bit) and you can also give a little squeeze of fresh lemon juice too.
- Top that with the red onion – you can stop at this point if you want a more classic Lox Bagel.
- If you want to keep going, add your tomato and avocado slices on top.
- Spread a little more cream cheese on the other half of the bagel (on the cut side) and place that down on top of the avocado. Gently press down a bit and then cut in half.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- *Scallion Cream Cheese: this recipe will make enough for more than one lox bagel sandwich so store the leftovers in the refrigerator for later use. Of course, you can always use store-bought cream cheese if you prefer.
- **Lox: we have a recipe for Homemade Lox on the site or you can buy store-bought lox (either plain or lots of store bought lox is smoked as well) – use whatever works best for you!
- Avocado + Tomato: feel free to use these if you want – if you want more of a classic lox bagel then feel free to skip these, but if you want to go all out add them both in!
- Make Ahead: you can make these about a day ahead of time if you want – just wrap in foil and place in the refrigerator. I wouldn’t do more than a day or the cream cheese might make the bagel soggy.
Leave a Rating & Comment