Take brunch to the next level with this smoked salmon bagel brunch board! Easy to assemble with lots of different toppings, it’s the perfect grazing board to entertain with for a casual intimate brunch or a festive party brunch with friends.

Take brunch to the next level with this smoked salmon bagel brunch board! Easy to assemble with lots of different toppings, it's the perfect grazing board to entertain with for a casual intimate brunch or a festive party brunch with friends.

More and more, I like to receive my guests around a simple cheese board, a hummus platter or any other grazing board (even seasonal: check this Vegetarian Halloween Grazing Board). Easy to assemble, they’re very convivial and always make the greatest impression among your guests. Here’s my brunch version of it: a seriously decadent bagel board!

Take brunch to the next level with this smoked salmon bagel brunch board! Easy to assemble with lots of different toppings, it's the perfect grazing board to entertain with for a casual intimate brunch or a festive party brunch with friends.

Building a bagel brunch board is simple. The bagels are the stars of the show, and you can then complete with as many toppings as you can think of. This bagel board version features smoked salmon for a Nordic touch, with various spreads and toppings to go with it. You can follow the recipe to a T, or simply use it as inspiration and create your very own version.

Why you’ll love this bagel brunch board

  • A generous smörgåsbord with smoked salmon for a Nordic touch
  • A stunning and colorful board to feast your eyes and your whet your appetite
  • A fun and delicious way to impress your guests for brunch
  • Perfect for a casual Sunday brunch or a brunch extravaganza with friends
Take brunch to the next level with this smoked salmon bagel brunch board! Easy to assemble with lots of different toppings, it's the perfect grazing board to entertain with for a casual intimate brunch or a festive party brunch with friends.

The main ingredients you’ll need

Here’s a short list of ingredients to keep in mind when building a smoked salmon brunch board. Head over to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients.

  • Bagels. Use the best quality bagels you can find, and make sure they are very fresh. Choose an assortment of various bagels (everything, sesame bagels, poppy seed bagels, plain bagels, whole wheat bagels, and everything in between).
  • Smoked salmon or gravlax. Provide high-quality smoked salmon or gravlax.
  • Cream cheese/sour cream. Choose plain, full-fat cream cheese, and bring it to room temperature before whipping. If using sour cream, go for full-fat too.
  • Fresh herbs. Choose a variety of fresh chives, dill, and other fresh herbs.
  • Vegetables. Sliced tomatoes, cucumber, avocados, red onions are good candidates for a bagel board.
Take brunch to the next level with this smoked salmon bagel brunch board! Easy to assemble with lots of different toppings, it's the perfect grazing board to entertain with for a casual intimate brunch or a festive party brunch with friends.

How to assemble a smoked salmon bagel brunch board?

Once you have all your veggies chopped and the cream-based preparations ready, it’s time to assemble your bagel board.

  • Find a large serving board or plank. Make sure it’s large enough to hold all your ingredients!
  • Slice the bagels and arrange them onto the board, spacing them out to ensure guests can grab them easily.
  • Place smoked salmon in the center of the board, onto a small piece of parchment paper to prevent the oil from staining the board.
  • Put small preparations/ingredients into small bowls (cream cheese, sour cream, hummus, olives, and capers) and arrange them around your bagel board.
  • Arrange all the sliced vegetables (tomatoes, cucumber, avocados, red onions, lemons) in the remaining empty spaces of the board. Sprinkle the vegetables with coarse sea salt and freshly ground pepper before serving.

How to serve the bagels?

If using fresh bagels, simply slice them in half before serving. Some however prefer toasted bagels. When serving, ask your guests if they would like their bagels to be toasted, so they get to choose their favorite option.

Can I prepare this bagel board ahead of time?

Because of the fresh ingredients, I recommend preparing this smoked salmon bagel board maximum 30 minutes before serving. Some components of the board however can be placed a little earlier (capers, olives, cream cheese, hummus). Also, make sure to keep the cut side of the bagels sandwiched together for freshness.

Take brunch to the next level with this smoked salmon bagel brunch board! Easy to assemble with lots of different toppings, it's the perfect grazing board to entertain with for a casual intimate brunch or a festive party brunch with friends.

Recipe variations

When you build a bagel board, there is room for improvisation. You can go the extra mile and use Homemade Beet Gravlax instead of store-bought, you can add a spread (nut butter, jam, etc.), or you can replace the bagels with croissants and create a Croissant Breakfast Board. You can take inspiration from these Scrambled Egg Croissant Breakfast Sandwich to build it.

More brunch items to complete your bagel board

Print

Smoked Salmon Bagel Brunch Board

Take brunch to the next level with this smoked salmon bagel brunch board! Easy to assemble with lots of different toppings, it's the perfect grazing board to entertain with for a casual intimate brunch or a festive party brunch with friends.
  • Author: Delphine Fortin
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Brunch
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Take brunch to the next level with this smoked salmon bagel brunch board! Easy to assemble with lots of different toppings, it’s the perfect grazing board to entertain with for a casual intimate brunch or a festive party brunch with friends.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 68 assorted bagels, sliced*
  • Eggs, scrambled or boiled and sliced**
  • ½ pound (225g) smoked salmon or homemade gravlax
  • 23 heirloom tomatoes, sliced
  • 1 English cucumber, sliced
  • 12 avocados, sliced
  • ¼ red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • Sliced radishes (optional)
  • ¾ cup (180g) cream cheese, softened
  • ¾ cup (180g) sour cream
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • ¼ cup (6o ml) hummus (optional)
  • Herbs: chives, dill, basil
  • 2 Tablespoons capers, drained
  • Cherry tomatoes, for serving
  • Olives, for serving
  • Lemon wedges or slices, for serving

Instructions

  1. For the cream cheese with chives. Combine the softened cream cheese with chives in a mixing bowl and whip with an electric mix until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. This can be made a few days in advance and kept in the fridge. Bring to room temperature before serving.
  2. For the sour cream with dill. Combine the sour cream with dill, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
  3. For assembling the platter. Choose a large serving board or platter, and place it in the center of your kitchen island or table. Slice the bagels in half and arrange on the platter. Lay a small piece of parchment paper and arrange the smoked salmon on top to keep the oil from staining the serving board. Next, place cream cheese, sour cream, hummus, capers and olives in small bowls, and arrange them around the board. Garnish with sliced avocados, cucumbers, tomatoes, lemons, and eggs cooked your way**. Sprinkle some sea salt and freshly ground pepper before serving. Add knives and tongs to allow guests to assemble their bagels. Enjoy!

Notes

* Plain bagels, everything bagels, sesame bagels, poppy seed bagels, whole wheat bagels, etc. You can serve them fresh or offer your guest to slightly toast them.

** If you are planning to use hard boiled eggs, start making them first. Put the eggs in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 10-12 minutes (set a timer). Plunge into iced cold water to cool, peel, and slice. However if you want to use scrambled eggs, make them just before serving when your bagel board is already assembled and your guests here.

Did you make this recipe?

Lastly, if you make this Smoked Salmon Bagel Brunch Board, be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, letting me know how you liked it. And of course, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Thank you and enjoy!