Baked Salmon Brunch Bagel (Printable)
Tender baked salmon with herbed cream cheese and crisp vegetables on toasted bagels
# What you'll need:
→ Baked Salmon
01 - 2 salmon fillets (about 10.5 oz total), skinless
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp lemon zest
04 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
05 - ½ tsp salt
06 - ¼ tsp black pepper
07 - 1 tsp fresh dill, chopped
→ Bagels & Spreads
08 - 4 plain or everything bagels, halved
09 - 4.25 oz (about ½ cup) cream cheese, softened
10 - 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
11 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
12 - 1 tsp lemon juice
→ Fresh Toppings
13 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
14 - 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
15 - 1 medium avocado, sliced
16 - 1 handful baby arugula or mixed greens
17 - 1 tbsp capers, drained
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - Place salmon fillets on the tray. Drizzle with olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and dill. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until just cooked through. Allow to cool slightly, then flake into large pieces.
03 - While salmon bakes, mix cream cheese with chives, dill, and lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth.
04 - Toast bagel halves to golden brown.
05 - Spread herbed cream cheese generously on each bagel half.
06 - Layer with arugula, cucumber, red onion, avocado, and flaked salmon. Top with capers.
07 - Serve immediately, open-faced or as sandwiches.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The herbed cream cheese becomes something magical when you let the fresh herbs really mingle with the tangy lemon juice
- Baking your own salmon instead of buying smoked means you control exactly how seasoned and tender it gets
02 -
- Overbaked salmon turns dry and crumbly, so pull it from the oven while it still looks slightly underdone in the center
- Slicing the vegetables paper thin prevents them from sliding off when you bite into the bagel
03 -
- Pat the salmon fillets completely dry before seasoning them, which helps the olive oil and lemon create a better crust
- Use a sharp knife for the vegetables because clean cuts make the bagels look professional and taste fresher