There’s something universally comforting about the savoury, seedy crunch of an everything bagel. It’s that perfect mix of poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried garlic, onion, and a touch of salt that just works. For years, I was content with just the bagel, but then I discovered the magic of turning those iconic flavours into a warm, creamy, and utterly irresistible appetizer. This Everything Bagel Dip Recipe is the result, and I have to admit, it’s become a bit of an obsession in our house. Friends always ask me for this recipe after trying it at dinner parties, and it’s one I’m genuinely excited to share.

What makes this dip so special is the way it transforms simple ingredients into something spectacular. We start with a rich, tangy base of softened cream cheese and sour cream, then fold in a generous amount of that wonderful bagel seasoning. But we don’t stop there. We bake it with a layer of sharp cheddar and salty Parmesan until it’s gloriously golden and bubbling around the edges. The top gets a final sprinkle of seasoning that toasts in the oven, releasing a wonderful aroma that will have everyone gathering in the kitchen.

This creamy dip is brilliant for any occasion where you want to serve something that feels a little bit special but is straightforward to prepare. It works beautifully for a casual Friday night with a film, as the star of a party snack board, or even alongside a main course like my Grilled Lamb Chops Recipe Tender. It’s a recipe for those who love bold, savoury flavours and the joy of dipping.

Recipe Overview

This recipe creates a warm, baked dip that captures all the deliciousness of an everything bagel in a scoopable form. You can expect a super creamy texture from the cream cheese and sour cream, a savoury depth from the garlic and onion powders, and a delightful textural contrast from the crunchy, toasty bagel seasoning. When I first tested this, I tried a no-bake version, but the baked version won by a mile—the heat melts the cheeses together and really intensifies the flavours of the seasoning.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 6-8 people
• Difficulty: Easy

Why You’ll Love This Everything Bagel Dip Recipe

• Genuine Flavour: This isn’t just cream cheese with some seeds sprinkled on top. The combination of toasted sesame, poppy seeds, savoury dried garlic, and onion is woven throughout the dip, creating a multi-layered flavour that’s both familiar and exciting.
• Ready in Under 40 Minutes: It’s a high-impact appetizer that comes together remarkably fast. You can be pulling a hot, bubbly dish of this creamy dip from the oven in about 35 minutes.
• Flexible Recipe: This dip is a fantastic canvas for customisation. You can stir through crumbled crispy bacon for a smoky note, add finely chopped spring onions for freshness, or use Greek yoghurt instead of sour cream for an extra tangy finish.
• Great for Social Gatherings: It’s ideal when you’re hosting. We often serve this at family BBQs or during the holidays because it can be assembled ahead of time, and everyone always seems to love it.
• Family Tested: I make this at least once a month – it’s become a family favourite. My children will devour it with vegetable sticks, which I count as a major parenting win!

Everything Bagel Dip Recipe

⏱️ 15 min prep  •  🍳 25 min cook  •  👥 6 servings

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this appetizer recipe lies in its simple, accessible ingredients. For the cream cheese, I always reach for full-fat Philadelphia; its consistency is reliable and creates an exceptionally smooth base. You can make your own bagel seasoning, but a good quality store-bought one works just as well. The history of the everything bagel itself is a bit of a New York legend, but the seasoning blend has become a global kitchen staple.

• 450g full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 120g sour cream
• 60g good quality mayonnaise
• 100g mature cheddar cheese, grated
• 30g Parmesan cheese, finely grated
• 3 tbsp everything bagel seasoning, divided
• 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped, plus extra for garnish
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for a little warmth)
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Ashley’s Tip: Don’t rush the softening of the cream cheese! Taking it out of the fridge a good 30-45 minutes before you start is the single most important step for achieving a perfectly smooth, non-lumpy dip.

How to Make Everything Bagel Dip Recipe

The process for making this creamy dip is wonderfully straightforward. It’s mostly a matter of mixing everything together in one bowl before baking it to golden, bubbly perfection. An electric hand mixer can make the initial step even easier, but a wooden spoon and a bit of effort work just fine.

1. Preheat and Prepare: First, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Lightly grease a small oven-safe skillet or a 1-litre baking dish.
2. Create the Creamy Base: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer or a sturdy spoon until it’s completely smooth and free of lumps.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the sour cream, mayonnaise, and Worcestershire sauce to the bowl. Mix until everything is well combined and the mixture is uniform.
4. Stir in Seasonings: Add the garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (if using), and 2 tablespoons of the chopped chives. Give it a good stir.
5. Fold in the Cheese and Seasoning: Now, fold in about three-quarters of the grated cheddar, all the Parmesan, and 1.5 tablespoons of the everything bagel seasoning. What works best for me is using a spatula to gently fold so you don’t overmix. Season with a pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper, keeping in mind the seasoning and cheese are already salty.
6. Assemble the Dip: Spoon the mixture into your prepared baking dish and use the back of the spoon or a spatula to smooth the top into an even layer.
7. Add the Topping: Sprinkle the remaining grated cheddar cheese evenly over the surface. Then, sprinkle the remaining 1.5 tablespoons of everything bagel seasoning over the cheese.
8. Bake Until Bubbly: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese is fully melted and the edges are bubbling. For a more golden top, you can switch the oven to grill for the last 1-2 minutes, but watch it carefully to prevent burning.
9. Rest and Garnish: Carefully remove the dip from the oven and let it rest for at least 5-10 minutes. This is important as it will be extremely hot. Just before serving, garnish with the extra fresh chives.

Tips From My Kitchen

• Temperature Control: I cannot stress enough the importance of room temperature ingredients. Not just the cream cheese, but having the sour cream at room temperature too helps everything combine seamlessly into a silky-smooth dip.
• The Secret Step: For an even more pronounced flavour, lightly toast your everything bagel seasoning in a dry frying pan over medium heat for 30-60 seconds, until fragrant. I learned that this small step really amplifies the nutty notes of the sesame seeds and makes the whole dip taste more complex.
• Make-Ahead: This is a great party snack to prep in advance. You can assemble the entire dip (steps 2-6) up to 24 hours ahead of time. Just cover it tightly and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready, add the topping and bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time to account for the chill.
• Storage: Leftovers are rare, but if you have any, they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It’s delicious eaten cold, like a cheese spread, or you can reheat it gently in the microwave or in a 160°C oven until warmed through. For food safety guidance, it’s always good to follow advice from sources like the Food Standards Agency.

Equipment You’ll Need

You don’t need any fancy gadgets for this recipe, just some basic kitchen tools.

• Large mixing bowl
• Electric hand mixer or a sturdy wooden spoon/spatula
• 1-litre oven-safe baking dish or a small cast-iron skillet
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Sharp knife and cutting board (for the chives)

Delicious Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, it’s fun to play around with different additions and flavours. This dip is incredibly adaptable.

• Spicy Version: For those who like a bit of heat, fold in one finely chopped fresh jalapeño (seeds removed for less intensity) or a teaspoon of sriracha along with the other seasonings.
• Vegetarian Option: The recipe is naturally vegetarian, but be sure to use a Worcestershire sauce that is free from anchovies to keep it that way. Henderson’s Relish is a great alternative.
• Add a Protein Boost: For a heartier dip, try folding in 100g of crumbled, crispy cooked bacon, some flaky smoked salmon, or even some shredded leftover chicken from a Sunday roast. They all work wonderfully.

What to Serve With Everything Bagel Dip Recipe

The best part of this appetizer recipe is deciding what to serve it with! The options are nearly endless, but here are a few of our favourites.

• Bagel Crisps or Pita Bread: This is the most natural pairing. The sturdy, crunchy texture is ideal for scooping up the thick, creamy dip.
• Fresh Vegetables (Crudités): A colourful platter of carrot sticks, cucumber slices, radishes, celery, and bell pepper strips provides a refreshing, crunchy contrast to the rich dip.
• Pretzels: The salty bite of hard pretzels, whether sticks or twists, is a fantastic match for the savoury flavours of the dip.
• A Spread of Dips: Make it part of a larger platter. This dip sits beautifully alongside a fresher, lighter option like my Authentic Tzatziki Sauce Recipe Dip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything Bagel Dip Recipe

A rich, creamy, and cheesy baked dip packed with the savory flavor of everything bagel seasoning. This easy appetizer is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for parties and game days.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Calories: 475

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 450 g full-fat cream cheese softened to room temperature
• 120 g sour cream
• 60 g good quality mayonnaise
• 100 g mature cheddar cheese grated
• 30 g Parmesan cheese finely grated
• 3 tbsp everything bagel seasoning divided
• 2 tbsp fresh chives finely chopped, plus extra for garnish
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional, for a little warmth
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method

 

1. Preheat and Prepare: First, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Lightly grease a small oven-safe skillet or a 1-litre baking dish.
2. Create the Creamy Base: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer or a sturdy spoon until it's completely smooth and free of lumps.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the sour cream, mayonnaise, and Worcestershire sauce to the bowl. Mix until everything is well combined and the mixture is uniform.
4. Stir in Seasonings: Add the garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (if using), and 2 tablespoons of the chopped chives. Give it a good stir.
5. Fold in the Cheese and Seasoning: Now, fold in about three-quarters of the grated cheddar, all the Parmesan, and 1.5 tablespoons of the everything bagel seasoning. What works best for me is using a spatula to gently fold so you don't overmix. Season with a pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper, keeping in mind the seasoning and cheese are already salty.
6. Assemble the Dip: Spoon the mixture into your prepared baking dish and use the back of the spoon or a spatula to smooth the top into an even layer.
7. Add the Topping: Sprinkle the remaining grated cheddar cheese evenly over the surface. Then, sprinkle the remaining 1.5 tablespoons of everything bagel seasoning over the cheese.
8. Bake Until Bubbly: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the cheese is fully melted and the edges are bubbling. For a more golden top, you can switch the oven to grill for the last 1-2 minutes, but watch it carefully to prevent burning.
9. Rest and Garnish: Carefully remove the dip from the oven and let it rest for at least 5-10 minutes. This is important as it will be extremely hot. Just before serving, garnish with the extra fresh chives.

Notes

Serve warm with bagel chips, sturdy crackers, pretzels, or fresh vegetables for dipping. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

This Everything Bagel Dip Recipe has truly become a staple for us, and I’m so happy to be able to share it. It’s the kind of comforting, flavour-packed dish that brings people together. I really hope you give it a try for your next get-together or quiet night in. If you do make it, I’d love for you to leave a comment below and let me know what you thought!

– Ashley