Description
An elegant yet simple smoked salmon bagel with dill cream cheese and capers that looks luxurious but takes only 10 minutes to prepare, making it the perfect stress-free brunch option.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 large bagels (plain, everything, or garlic), sliced in half
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened (optional)
- 8 oz (225g) full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 8 oz (225g) cold-smoked salmon (nova-style)
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained and patted dry
- 2 tablespoons red onion, very thinly sliced (optional)
- 4 cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped fresh dill, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk with a fork or hand mixer until smooth and creamy. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use (can be made up to 2 days ahead).
- Slice bagels in half horizontally. Toast them in a toaster or toaster oven until golden brown and crisp. Let cool slightly.
- If using butter, spread a thin layer on each toasted bagel half to create a moisture barrier.
- Spread a generous layer of the dill cream cheese mixture onto each bagel half, covering the surface edge to edge.
- Loosely fold smoked salmon slices into rosettes or ruffles and place 2-3 folded slices on each bagel.
- Sprinkle drained capers over the salmon and add thinly sliced red onion if desired.
- Add cherry tomatoes if using, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
- Arrange on a platter and serve immediately while bagels are warm and cream cheese is cool.
Notes
Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for smooth spreading. Pat salmon and capers dry to prevent soggy bagels. The dill cream cheese can be made up to 2 days in advance. Avoid sweet bagels like cinnamon raisin as they clash with the savory toppings.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Brunch
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bagel half
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 12
Keywords: smoked salmon bagel, dill cream cheese, brunch recipes, easy appetizers, capers, bagel toppings, quick breakfast