Copycat Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning Recipe – A Simple, Flavor-Packed Blend

Love the famous Everything But the Bagel seasoning but want to make it at home? This quick DIY version gives you the same toasty, garlicky crunch with pantry staples. It’s budget-friendly, takes minutes to mix, and you can customize it exactly how you like.

Sprinkle it on eggs, avocado toast, salads, or popcorn—once you have a jar, you’ll use it on everything. Let’s make a batch you’ll keep on repeat.

Why This Recipe Works

This blend balances crunch, salt, and aromatics so every bite tastes lively. Using both black and white sesame seeds gives visual contrast and a deeper nutty flavor.

Dried minced garlic and onion add big flavor without moisture, so the mix stays crisp. Flaky salt provides pops of salinity that don’t dissolve too fast. Best of all, it’s a quick stir-together recipe with ingredients you can find anywhere.

What You’ll Need

• 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons black sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic (not garlic powder)
• 1 tablespoon dried minced onion (not onion powder)
• 1 to 1½ teaspoons flaky sea salt (such as Maldon), crushed slightly between fingers

Optional but great: 1 teaspoon nigella seeds for an extra savory, slightly oniony note.

Instructions

1. Check your seeds. If your sesame or poppy seeds smell flat, toast them lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes, shaking often, until fragrant. Let them cool completely.
2. Combine the dry ingredients. In a small bowl, add white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried minced garlic, and dried minced onion. Stir to mix.
3. Add the salt. Sprinkle in the flaky sea salt. Crush it gently between your fingers so the flakes aren’t too large, but keep some texture. Stir again.
4. Taste and adjust. Pinch a little between your fingers and taste. Add more flaky salt for saltiness, more garlic for punch, or extra sesame for nuttiness.
5. Store it right. Transfer to a clean, dry jar with a tight lid. Label the jar with the date.
6. Use it on everything. Shake it over eggs, avocado toast, salads, grilled chicken, roasted veggies, cream cheese on bagels, cottage cheese, or even buttered popcorn.

Storage Instructions

• Container: Keep in an airtight glass jar or spice shaker.
• Location: Store in a cool, dark spot away from heat and sunlight.
• Shelf Life: Best within 3–4 months for peak flavor.Seeds and dried aromatics can last longer, but the aroma fades over time.
• Moisture Warning: Always use a dry spoon. Moisture makes the garlic and onion clump.

Benefits of This Recipe

• Cost-effective: Making it at home is cheaper than buying small jars.
• Customizable: Adjust salt, garlic, or seeds to match your taste or dietary needs.
• No additives: Just simple spices—no anti-caking agents or fillers.
• Fresh flavor: Toasting seeds and using fresh spices makes a big difference.
• Versatile: Works on breakfast, snacks, and dinner dishes.

What Not to Do

• Don’t use garlic or onion powder. Powders clump and turn pasty; minced dried pieces add crunch and stay dry.
• Don’t skip the salt type. Table salt is too fine and makes the mix harsh. Use flaky sea salt for balanced, crunchy pops.
• Don’t add oil. Oil reduces shelf life and turns the mix soggy.
• Don’t store near the stove. Heat and steam dull flavor and cause clumping.
• Don’t over-toast the seeds. Burnt seeds taste bitter—lightly fragrant is enough.

Variations You Can Try

• Low-Sodium: Reduce flaky salt to ½ teaspoon and add 1 teaspoon sesame seeds to balance.
• Spicy Version: Add ½–1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper for a gentle heat.
• Citrus Twist: Stir in ½ teaspoon dried lemon zest for a bright finish, great on fish or salads.
• Umami Boost: Add 1 teaspoon furikake (without added salt) or a pinch of toasted nori flakes.
• Garlic-Lover’s Mix: Increase dried minced garlic to 1½–2 tablespoons.
• Seed Swap: Add hemp hearts or pumpkin seeds for more crunch (use sparingly to keep the classic flavor).

FAQ

Can I use kosher salt instead of flaky sea salt?

Yes, but use less.

Start with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and adjust to taste. Flaky sea salt is ideal because it delivers light, crunchy pops without making the mix too salty.

How do I know if my seeds are still fresh?

Smell them. Fresh sesame and poppy seeds should smell nutty and clean.

If they smell stale or like old oil, replace them. Light toasting can revive mild flavors but won’t fix rancid seeds.

Is this seasoning gluten-free and vegan?

Yes, the mix is naturally gluten-free and vegan. Just make sure your individual spices are from a trusted source to avoid cross-contamination if that’s a concern.

Can I make a big batch?

Absolutely.

Double or triple the recipe and store it in multiple small jars to keep it fresh. Only keep one jar open at a time for the best flavor.

What can I put it on besides bagels?

Try it on scrambled or fried eggs, avocado toast, cottage cheese, hummus, salads, roasted potatoes, grilled salmon, chicken cutlets, tomatoes with olive oil, and popcorn. It wakes up simple foods instantly.

Why not use garlic powder or onion powder?

Powders dissolve and clump, especially in humid kitchens.

Dried minced garlic and onion stay crisp, deliver better texture, and hold their flavor longer in a dry blend.

How salty should it be?

It should taste moderately salty on its own but balanced. Remember you’ll sprinkle it on foods that often need seasoning. Start with 1 teaspoon flaky salt and adjust to taste.

Can I make it without poppy seeds?

Yes.

Replace poppy seeds with more sesame seeds, or add nigella seeds for a similar look and a savory bite. The flavor will still be great.

How long does it last?

For the best flavor, use within 3–4 months. It won’t spoil quickly, but the aromatics lose intensity over time.

Can I use this on raw fish or sushi?

Yes, but use lightly and skip extra salt in the dish.

The garlic and onion are dried, so they won’t add moisture, and the sesame complements seafood nicely.

Wrapping Up

This copycat Everything But the Bagel seasoning is fast, flexible, and wildly useful. With a handful of pantry ingredients, you can make a fresh blend that tastes just like your favorite store-bought jar—maybe better. Keep it on your counter and watch how often you reach for it.

A sprinkle here and there, and everyday meals start tasting a lot more exciting.