These 5 tips will help you to create the perfect bagel bar for your next brunch. Your guests will love the endless DIY options, and you will love the simplicity. Download Free Printable Bagel Bar Signs at the End of the post.

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Ever since I started making my own bagels, I’ve been obsessed with creating bagel bars for our overnight guests. When creating my bagel bars, I am able to combine two of my favorite things – a food board/charcuterie board and a DIY food bar.

I love everything about using food boards and food bars when I am hosting any kind of get together. There is always something for everyone, they look amazing, and they are perfect for any size crowd. 

Hosting a brunch this spring for Easter, Mother’s Day, a baby shower, or bridal shower will be a piece of cake with these 5 tips for a DIY bagel bar!

Bagel Bar Tip #1 – The Bagels

You can’t have a bagel bar without the bagels – Hello! 🙂 Use my simple homemade bagel recipe to make your own delicious whole wheat bagels or purchase some fresh whole wheat bagels. If there will be kids at your brunch, you may also want to include some mini bagels.

I made half of my homemade bagels with Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning and left the other half plain. Keep the bagels simple because the variety of toppings are the stars of this bagel bar show.

Bagel Bar Tip #2 – The Schmear

Including a variety of spreads, AKA  schmears, is a must. I recommend a plain cream cheese, a sweet cream cheese, a garlic and herb cream cheese, at least one jam, and some honey.

I also like to include Tom’s homemade roasted red pepper spread (recipe coming soon). Peanut butter or any nut butter would be a great addition for kids.

Store bought whipped and flavored cream cheeses often have crazy unnecessary ingredients in them. I buy plain cream cheese and flavor it myself. I whip both my plain and flavored cream cheese for bagels. 

Whipped Garlic & Herb Cream Cheese Recipe

• 1 8 oz cream cheese, softened – I use Nancy’s Organic
• 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped fine
• 1 tsp fresh chives, chopped fine
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 tsp fresh dill, chopped

Beat cream cheese on low speed until light and fluffy. Add remaining ingredients and continue mixing on low speed until well combined. Refrigerate for at least one hour. 

Whipped Maple Cinnamon Cream Cheese Recipe

• 1 8 0z cream cheese, softened – I use Nancy’s Organic
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Beat cream cheese on low speed until light and fluffy. Add remaining ingredients and continue mixing on low speed until well combined. Refrigerate for at least one hour. 

It’s a good idea to make the cream cheese at least one day before your brunch. It will make it easier to prep your bagel bar, and it will give your cream cheese flavors plenty of time to marry.

I like to take the cream cheese out about 30 minutes before serving so that it is nice and soft for spreading on the bagels.

Bagel Bar Tip #3 – Toppings

The list of toppings to use on your bagel bar is endless. You can make this part as simple or as elaborate as you wish. I like to include something for everyone – kids, meat-lovers, vegetarians, and of course picky teenagers. 😉

The ideas below are toppings that I used, or was going to use, but forgot to put out. 🙁  You can, of course, customize any way you would like. 

Topping Ideas

Meat

• smoked salmon – No bagel bar is complete without smoked salmon.
• bacon – I’m not a big bacon gal, but when I do eat it Applegate Organics No Sugar is my favorite.
• any other meat you choose – I also think chicken salad would be a great addition!

Fruit and Veggies

• avocado
• arugula
• cucumbers 
• radishes 
• red onion 
• tomatoes 
• blueberries
• capers
• lemon wedges
• pineapple
• raspberries
• strawberries

Herbs

• basil
• chives
• dill
• mint

Other Additions 

I also included sliced gruyere cheese and gouda cheese to my veggie board. At the last minute, my husband whipped up a batch of scrambled eggs for guests who wanted to make an egg sandwich. My veggie frittata would be another excellent addition.

Bagel Bar Tip #4 – Serving Pieces

You will need a variety of serving trays/cheese boards, bowls, and appetizer spreaders, a few spoons, and a bread knife to set up your bagel bar.

For this bar, I tried to use solid colored serving pieces because I knew the variety of toppings and my bagel bar sign would add plenty of beautiful color and interest.

Placing everything at multiple levels will make your bagel bar more visually appealing, and help your guests to see all of the fabulous choices they have to top their bagels. Cake stands, tiered trays, plate stands, or decorative boxes can all be used to help elevate items. The bar cart on my patio happens to have a shelf that worked perfectly for my schmears.

Bagel Bar Tip # 5 – Cute Sign and Labels

Adding cute signs and/or banners to food bars are the perfect extra touch. For this spring bagel bar, Kimberley designed a beautiful floral sign that I placed in a black 8 x 10 frame.

The sign coordinates with some place cards we already had ready for an upcoming Mother’s Day tablescape post. They were just what I needed to label my schmears. You can get the place cards in my Easter tablescape post. I’ve included them with the Easter place cards until my Mother’s Day tablescape post is published.

 I also had Kimberley design a chalkboard bagel sign that can be used any time of year. I recommend removing the glass from the frame if you are using the chalkboard sign. It makes the sign look more like a real chalkboard.

You can download the signs at the end of this post. There are two 8 x 10 signs for each design. One is vertical and one is horizontal. 

I hope these tips and printables will help you create a fun and festive bagel bar for your next brunch.

I would love to hear what toppings would you add that I did not include. I’m always looking for new ideas. I’d also love to see pics of your bagel bar!

Here are some other posts that may help you with your next brunch! Enjoy!

Super Simple Veggie Frittata
Mini Herb Favors to Spruce up Your Spring Tablescape
Healthy Whole Wheat Banana Bread
Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes
Easy Healthy Homemade Granola