How To Make Your Own Everything Bagel Seasoning

You can make your own everything bagel seasoning in about five minutes with six common pantry ingredients, and it tastes just as good as anything you’d buy at the store.
 
Whether you’re topping homemade bagels, sprinkling it over avocado toast, or adding crunch to your morning eggs, this DIY blend is a total game-changer.
 
And honestly, once you try making your own everything bagel seasoning at home, you’ll never go back to the pre-mixed jars that fade in flavor.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to make your own everything bagel seasoning, the best ratios for a balanced bite, and some creative ways to use it beyond bagels.
 
Let’s get mixing.
 

Why Make Your Own Everything Bagel Seasoning?

Making your own everything bagel seasoning isn’t just about saving money, it’s about controlling what goes into your food.
 
Store-bought blends sometimes use stale seeds or add extra salt that overpowers everything else.
 
When you make your own everything bagel seasoning from scratch, you get the freshest possible flavor with every single batch.
 
Plus, you can tweak the ratios to match your personal taste, so if you love garlic or hate poppy seeds, you’re totally in charge.
 

1. You Control the Salt Level

Salt is often the biggest culprit in store-bought everything bagel seasoning because it can be way too heavy-handed.
 
When you make your own everything bagel seasoning, you decide exactly how much salt goes in, whether that’s a light sprinkle or a bold, salty punch.
 
And if you’re watching your sodium intake, you can even reduce the salt altogether and rely on the seeds for texture and flavor.
 

2. The Seeds Stay Fresh and Crunchy

Pre-packaged everything bagel seasoning can sit on shelves for months, which means the seeds lose that satisfying crunch.
 
But when you make your own everything bagel seasoning at home, you’re using seeds straight from your pantry or bulk bin.
 
That freshness makes a huge difference, especially when you toast the seasoning lightly to bring out the nutty aroma.
 

3. It’s Completely Customizable

You can add a pinch of smoked paprika for warmth, a dash of onion powder for depth, or even some dried garlic flakes for extra bite.
 
Making your own everything bagel seasoning means you’re not locked into someone else’s recipe.
 
And that’s the beauty of DIY, it becomes uniquely yours.
 

How to Make Your Own Everything Bagel Seasoning Step-by-Step

The process for how to make your own everything bagel seasoning is ridiculously simple, and you’ll probably memorize it after one try.
 
Here’s exactly what you need and how to put it together.
 

1. Gather Your Ingredients

To make your own everything bagel seasoning, you’ll need these six basics: white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, and flaky sea salt.
 
The classic ratio is 2 tablespoons each of the sesame seeds and poppy seeds, then 1 tablespoon each of the garlic, onion, and salt.
 
That gives you a well-balanced blend where no single ingredient dominates.
 
If you only have one type of sesame seed, no worries, just double up on that one.
 

2. Toast the Seeds (Optional but Amazing)

For a deeper flavor, add the sesame seeds and poppy seeds to a dry skillet over medium heat.
 
Stir them constantly for about two to three minutes until they become fragrant and slightly golden.
 
Let them cool completely before mixing, because hot seeds will clump together with the salt and garlic.
 
Toasting isn’t mandatory, but it’s a pro move when learning how to make your own everything bagel seasoning that rivals bakery quality.
 

3. Mix Everything Together

In a small bowl, combine your toasted seeds with the dried garlic, dried onion, and salt.
 
Give it a good stir so everything is evenly distributed, and that’s seriously it.
 
Your homemade everything bagel seasoning is ready to use right away.
 
Store it in an airtight jar or glass container with a tight-fitting lid.
 
It’ll keep for up to three months at room temperature, though you’ll probably finish it way sooner.
 

Creative Ways to Use Your Homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning

Once you’ve made your own everything bagel seasoning, the possibilities go way beyond just sprinkling it on bread.
 
Here are some of my favorite ways to put that jar to work.
 

1. Upgrade Your Eggs and Breakfast Bowls

Scramble some eggs and finish them with a generous pinch of your homemade everything bagel seasoning.
 
It also adds amazing crunch to creamy avocado toast, roasted potatoes, or even your morning oatmeal if you’re feeling adventurous.
 
The garlic and onion give savory dishes that umami boost, while the sesame seeds bring texture.
 

2. Season Proteins and Veggies

Use your own everything bagel seasoning as a dry rub for chicken, salmon, or tofu before roasting or grilling.
 
It also shines when tossed with roasted broccoli, green beans, or sweet potatoes right after they come out of the oven.
 
You can even mix it into softened butter and melt that over steamed veggies or a baked potato.
 

3. Dress Up Salads and Dips

Sprinkle it over green salads, pasta salads, or grain bowls for an instant flavor upgrade.
 
And you can stir a spoonful into cream cheese, sour cream, or Greek yogurt for a quick and tasty veggie dip or bagel schmear.
 
Making your own everything bagel seasoning means you always have a versatile finishing salt around.
 

Tips for Storing and Adjusting Your Homemade Blend

To get the most mileage out of your DIY everything bagel seasoning, follow a few simple storage and tweaking tips.
 

1. Keep It Sealed and Away from Light

Air, light, and heat are the enemies of any seed-based seasoning.
 
Store your jar in a cool, dark pantry cabinet, not right next to the stove or in direct sunlight.
 
A clean spice jar or a small mason jar works perfectly for keeping your everything bagel seasoning fresh.
 

2. Adjust Ratios to Your Liking

Don’t be afraid to play with the amounts each time you make your own everything bagel seasoning.
 
If you love garlic, bump it up to two tablespoons; if you prefer less salt, cut it down to a teaspoon.
 
And if you want a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne to the mix.
 
The recipe is just a starting point, so feel free to make it yours.
 

3. Refresh the Crunch Over Time

After a few weeks, the seeds in your everything bagel seasoning might lose some of their snap.
 
No problem, just spread the seasoning on a baking sheet and toast it in a 300°F oven for five minutes.
 
Let it cool completely and it’ll be crispy again, ready for your next bagel or salad.
 

So, How Do You Make Your Own Everything Bagel Seasoning?

You can make your own everything bagel seasoning in just a few minutes using equal parts sesame seeds and poppy seeds, plus garlic, onion, and salt.
 
Toast the seeds first for extra flavor, then mix in the dried aromatics and store everything in an airtight jar.
 
From breakfast eggs to roasted veggies and creamy dips, this homemade blend is far fresher and more customizable than anything from a store.
 
Once you see how quick and easy it is, you’ll always know how to make your own everything bagel seasoning whenever the craving hits.