The Bagel Revival: 18 Healthier Toppings to Reinvent Your Favorite Treat

The Case for Whole-Grain Bagels

Whole-grain options provide fiber, and with a little creativity, you can turn this morning staple into a nutritious powerhouse. From vegan cream cheese to tomato tapenade, we’ve got 18 healthier bagel toppings that will make you rethink your breakfast game.

Breakfast Inspiration

• Avocado Egg Salad: Ditch the mayo and swap it with mashed avocado for a creamy, dairy-free egg salad. Add some lemon and fresh herbs, and you’ve got a trendy breakfast that’s both healthy and delicious.
• Turkey Apple Cheddar Bagel Melts: Take the classic grilled cheese to the next level by adding sliced turkey, apple, and horseradish mustard. This open-faced melt is the perfect way to enjoy all the flavors without committing to a whole bagel.
• Big Veg Bagel Sandwich: Pack a punch with this veggie-loaded bagel sandwich featuring goat cheese, honey, beets, and radishes. Even the hole in the middle is stuffed with sprouts!
• Homemade Bagels with Coriander-Lime Hummus, Avocado, and Salmon: Make your own bagels from scratch and top them with a blender-made coriander-lime hummus, sliced avocado, and smoked salmon. This combo is a flavor explosion waiting to happen!
• Open-Faced Bagel Breakfast Sandwich: Pile high your eggs, bacon, veggies, and cheese on an open-faced bagel, and you’ve got a fork-and-knife kind of meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious.
• Goddess Curry Chicken Salad: This fresh and clean chicken salad features Greek yogurt, cilantro, and chopped pistachios. It’s a robust mixture that stands out even when sandwiched between dense bagel slices.
• Ricotta and Radish Mini Bagels: Smooth ricotta provides the cream cheese substitute, while thinly sliced veggies add crunch. This refreshing combo is perfect for a quick breakfast or snack.
• Toasted Tuna Everything Bagels: This tuna salad features celery, black pepper, and dill weed, giving you a familiar taste with a protein-packed punch. Add some shredded Parmesan for an extra boost.

Vegan Delights

Vegans, rejoice! You don’t have to give up bagels. Here are some vegan-friendly options to try:

• Bang Bang Tofu Bagel: Pan-fry tofu until crispy and layer it onto bagels with a homemade sriracha and nut butter spread. It’s an easy and delicious vegan option.
• “Tuna Salad” Sandwich: This vegan “tuna salad” made with cannellini beans, hummus, and chopped veggies is an excellent fish-free way to top up on nutrients.

Spreads Galore

Sometimes, you just want to spread, eat, and go. We’ve got you covered with these healthier spread options:

• Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade Bagels: This tapenade fires on all cylinders with tangy sun-dried tomatoes, fruity olives, and salty anchovies. Whip it up in just 1 minute in the food processor!
• Homemade Vegan Tofu Cream Cheese: Ditch the packaged soy cream cheese and make your own with this simple recipe. Enjoy it plain, mixed with scallions, or kicked up with jalapeños!
• Power Snack with DIY Maple-Coconut-Cinna-Almond Butter: Transform plain almond butter into a spread that’s perfect for bagels with healthy additions like cinnamon, sea salt, and maple syrup.
• Homemade Natural Nut Butter and Chia Jam: Jazz up your nut butter with sweet and savory seasonings and pump up your jam with heart-healthy chia seeds. Customize to your heart’s content!
• Smoked Salmon Spread with Greek Yogurt: Mix smoked salmon with Greek yogurt, shredded cucumbers, and dill for a Mediterranean-inspired twist on the classic lox.
• Avocado White Bean Dip Sandwich: Blend avocado with a can of white beans for a smooth spread that falls somewhere between hummus and guacamole.
• Cashew Cream Cheese: Turn cashew butter into vegan cream cheese with the easy addition of lemon juice and salt. Stir in your favorite flavorings and slather away!
• 2-Minute Cinnamon Seed Butter: This spread has your good fats covered for the day with a variety of nuts and seeds plus olive oil. It’s perfectly cinnamony without being too sweet.