How to Serve a DIY Bagels and Lox Brunch Bar

Wondering what to serve a crowd at your next party? Make it easy on the hostess with this breakfast and brunch buffet idea: Serve a DIY bagels and lox brunch bar.

Last year when my niece Chandler announced she was engaged, I knew I wanted to host a bridal shower for her. With her wedding date set for early May, coming up with spring shower ideas would be perfect timing.

So this past weekend with 20 to 30 guests arriving for her bridal shower party (why doesn’t anyone RSVP anymore???) something totally unexpected happened, and it pretty much blew my mind.

For probably the first time in my hostessing career, I didn’t freak the freak out while prepping for the party.

Why didn’t I have my usual pre-party hostessing melt down? Because you guys convinced me to make it easy on myself and create a build your own bagel and lox brunch bar as the centerpiece of our day.

I love a killer quiche so my original plan was to make four homemade, golden crusted quiches served with this sweet blueberry buckle and my cantaloupe caprese salad for the big day. But when I asked on my Instagram stories what you would want to see on the menu, this breakfast DIY bagel bar with lox and cream cheese idea won the popular vote.

That’s why when I easily pulled the bagel and schmear bar together the morning of the bridal shower, I praised and thanked every one of you for making my day.

How to Set Up a Bagel Brunch Bar

There’s so many reasons to celebrate brunch, like:

• bridal shower brunch
• baby shower brunch
• Mother’s Day brunch
• Father’s Day brunch
• Easter brunch
• spring or summer brunch
• New Years day brunch
• just because it’s the weekend brunch

Start off your brunch on a festive note with a mimosa bar or set up a separate table with the best bloody mary bar, or serve tequila sunrises for a fresh juice with punch. Also offer guests coffee, seltzers, and plain juices, too.

The real beauty of choosing this DIY  brunch route is it’s totally expandable to serve as a breakfast for four, or a brunch for 100.  Just buy and prep what you’ll need and then let your guests do the work.

There’s no hard and fast rules to setting up a bagel bar brunch, except to keep it easy to set up and easy on your guests—and you!

see more: 20 Spirited Holiday Punches

Favorite Bagel Bar Toppings

The fun part of this no-fuss bagel bar is giving your guests plenty of bagel building-options to choose from.

Choose a large platter for your party and layer spring lettuce greens or arugula as the base. I like using a platter to corral all the toppings and keep things orderly. Plus it saves space.

Slice the veggies thinly so they’re easy to stack and group on the lettuces. Put small toppings like capers in compact bowls to nestle within the other ingredients.

Here’s a few bagel topping ideas to choose from:

• cucumbers
• tomatoes
• capers
• red onion (pickled onions are tasty too)
• capers (place in a small bowl to separate from the other ingredients)
• avocado
• sliced hard boiled egg
• radishes (watermelon radishes are so pretty if you can find them)
• pickled asparagus
• roasted red pepper
• arugula
• fresh dill
• sprouts (I love the look of delicate pea sprouts)
• lemon slices
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• finishing salt
• everything bagel seasoning—I can never have too much
• jams, nutella or nut butters for those who prefer a sweet-tasting bagel

And of course, lox and cream cheese schmear…coming up now.

see more: The Ultimate Mother’s Day Brunch Guide

What Is Lox?

Lox (gravlax) and smoked salmon originally came about as a way to preserve the fish without the need of refrigeration. With their buttery flavor and smooth slices, both taste equally delicious on bagels.

But there are subtle differences. As Epicurious explains, smoked salmon is cured or brined, then smoked. Lox is cured, but not smoked.

The cured lox and smoked salmon is a delicate fish to work with. Wondering how to serve lox? Before setting out for guests, use your fingers to gently separate the sheets of fish from one another.

Plan on 2-3 ounces of lox per bagel. 

see more: 14 Days Of Healthy Breakfast Recipe Ideas

Make It a Fresh Bagel

You’ve gone to all the trouble to lay out your toppings the morning of  so keep your bagels fresh too. I have an Einsteins bagels near me so it’s easy to order a variety the day before and pick them up the morning of the party when my husband does the last minute run for ice. When ordering, ask them to slice before pick up to save even more time.

I chose an assortment of bagels for my DIY bar, nearly all of them savory with 1-2 sweet options too.

Asiago was the most popular bagel choice at my party with plain following up next. For me, it’s a sesame or everything bagel all the way.

If you want to make your own bagels, give this healthier homemade bagel recipe a try.

I like my bagels toasted, but if I have a big crowd, I keep things simple and save the toaster for another day. If you must toast for a crowd, place the sliced bagels on a baking sheet and broil in the oven until golden brown.

Plan on 1 bagel per person.

see more: Salmon And Bagel Egg Benedict For Mother’s Day Brunch

Cream Cheese Schmear

For my bagel bar I kept it simple and offered only plain whipped cream cheese. I figured there was enough going on with the toppings to add all the flavor.

But, if you’re keeping your toppings simple, go wild with the cream cheeses and offer a plain and at least one sweetened variety.

Plan on 2-4 tablespoons of cream cheese per bagel. 

Brunch Menu Ideas to Add to the Bagel Bar

The holey bagel isn’t the only player in this brunch bar game. Add a few more players to complete the line up, like these:

• Cantaloupe and Mozzarella Caprese Salad
• Berry Delicious Fruit Salad Recipe
• Summer Melon Cous Cous Salad with Avocado, Grapes and Mint
• Strawberry and Quinoa Parfait
• Red White and Blue Watermelon Blueberry Fruit Salad
• Blueberry Buckle Recipe With Lemon Glaze

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.

More Brunch Recipe Ideas

• The Best Bloody Mary Recipe and a Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar
• Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole
• Puff Pastry Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese Quiche
• Banana and Chocolate Chip Baked French Toast
• Spinach, Artichoke and Goat Cheese Quiche
• Asparagus and Mushroom Frittata with Goat Cheese
• Baked Eggs in Stuffed Peppers
• The Best Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Do you have a favorite brunch idea you lean on time and time again? We want to know! Share your ideas in the comments below.

Craving more life balance, less stress, and better health? Check out my Nourished Planner, the daily planner to help create simplicity and under-schedule your life.

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