Brunch should look impressive and feel effortless. Fresh bagels do the heavy lift—texture, aroma, and a built-in invitation for guests to assemble their favorite bite. Here’s how to build a board that dazzles in under 30 minutes.
Shop list for 8:
- 12 bagels (plain, sesame, everything, whole wheat)
- 3 spreads (plain, scallion, whipped herb) + 1 sweet (honey butter)
- 1 lb smoked salmon + lemon wedges, capers, dill
- Crunchy veg: cucumbers, radishes, red onion, tomato
- Extras: avocado, hard-boiled eggs, pickled onions
- Fruit: berries and citrus slices for color
- Optional: vegan tofu spread, gluten-free bagels on a separate plate
Layout cues:
- Start with the bagels down the center—halved and loosely stacked for volume.
- Cluster spreads in small bowls with labeled spoons.
- Fan salmon near lemons; tuck dill and capers close for easy reach.
- Build color blocks: green veg together, reds/pinks together, berries as edible confetti.
Timing tricks:
- Pre-slice and toast in waves. Keep a low oven at 250°F to hold warmth.
- Chill onions in ice water to tame bite. Zest a lemon into scallion schmear for sparkle.
- Set beverages nearby—coffee, tea, seltzer—to keep traffic moving.
Host mindset:
- Provide a gluten-free and nut-free zone with dedicated utensils.
- Offer both knives and tongs; nobody wants salmon fingers.
- Keep napkins and a tiny trash bowl for lemon rinds at the edge of the board.
Order a Go Bagels party pack and we’ll deliver the components ready to style—your only job is arranging and accepting compliments.
