These cream cheese and tomato bagels are inspired by Modern Bread and Bagel which I visited on my recent trip to New York. I don’t think I truly understood the deliciousness of bagels until I ate them here! These toasted bagels are topped with cream cheese, basil, tomato, cucumber, red onion and lemon juice. This bagel is open faced which allows for a higher topping to bagel ratio.
![Cream Cheese Bagel with Tomato - (1) Cream Cheese Bagel with Tomato - (1)](https://i0.wp.com/i0.wp.com/izzysvegetarianrecipes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0051.jpeg?resize=512%2C768&ssl=1)
Cream cheese bagel recipe: ingredients
This bagel recipe requires 10 ingredients:
- Bagels
- Full fat cream cheese
- Everything but the bagel seasoning
- Basil leaves
- Heirloom or beef tomato
- Cucumber
- Red onion
- Cherry tomatoes
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Lemon
![Cream Cheese Bagel with Tomato - (2) Cream Cheese Bagel with Tomato - (2)](https://i0.wp.com/i0.wp.com/izzysvegetarianrecipes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0020.jpeg?resize=653%2C674&ssl=1)
If you like, you can also sprinkle some sea salt, fresh dill and capers over your bagels. If you can’t find all the ingredients there are some substitutions you can make:
Firstly, feel free to use your favourite bagels. I used plain New York Bakery Co. bagels. However, you can use seeded or flavoured bagels, or even make your own!
I bought the ‘everything but the bagel seasoning’ from Trader Joe’s when I was in New York. If you live in the U.K. the ‘everything but the bagel seasoning’ is available on Amazon. Alternatively, you can make it yourself – try this seasoning recipe from The Edgy Veg.
When I ate this bagel in New York it was made using heirloom tomato slices. These tomatoes are huge and delicious. They are difficult to find in the U.K., however a beef tomato slice is a great alternative.
![Cream Cheese Bagel with Tomato - (3) Cream Cheese Bagel with Tomato - (3)](https://i0.wp.com/i0.wp.com/izzysvegetarianrecipes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0047.jpeg?resize=515%2C772&ssl=1)
What cream cheese for bagels
Personally I like to use plain full-fat cream cheese for my bagels. However, if you’re trying to reduce your calorie intake, replace this with a low-fat version.
You could also try making a flavoured cream cheese. Why not stir through some finely chopped spring onions or diced jalapeños?
Furthermore, you can could buy some flavoured cream cheese. I recommend a garlic and herb cream cheese.
It is now possible to get vegan cream cheese. The Philadelphia almond and oat plant-based cream cheese is delicious.
![Cream Cheese Bagel with Tomato - (4) Cream Cheese Bagel with Tomato - (4)](https://i0.wp.com/i0.wp.com/izzysvegetarianrecipes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0031.jpeg?resize=560%2C712&ssl=1)
Cream cheese bagel toppings
For more vegetarian topping ideas for your cream cheese bagel, try some of these:
- Sliced avocado and mixed seeds
- Hot sauce
- Fried or scrambled egg
- Bananas, cinnamon and honey
- Sliced strawberries and desiccated coconut
Cream cheese bagel with tomato: similar recipes
If you liked this recipe try out my other speedy lunch ideas with cheese:
- Goat cheese, apricot and walnut panini
- One-pot creamy spinach and eggs
- Pesto and mozzarella grilled cheese
Cream Cheese Bagel with Tomato
Toasted bagels topped with cream cheese, tomato, cucumber, red onion, lemon and basil.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 2 people
Calories 555 kcal
Ingredients
- 2 bagels
- 200g/7oz full fat cream cheese or your favourite cream cheese
- everything but the bagel seasoning
- 6 basil leaves
- 1 large heirloom tomato or beef tomato
- 20 thin slices of cucumber
- 1 handful red onion shavings
- 8 cherry tomatoes
- salt and pepper to taste
- extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ lemon
Optional
- pinch Flaky sea salt
- 2 tbsp capers
- 1 tbsp fresh dill sprigs roughly chopped
Instructions
Slice the bagels in half and heat in the toaster until golden brown. If you don't have a toaster, place them under a hot grill for a few minutes until lightly toasted. Leave to cool slightly for a couple of minutes.
Spread each bagel half with 50g of cream cheese.
Top each bagel half with a few shakes of 'everything but the bagel seasoning' and 1½ torn basil leaves.
Slice 4 large pieces from the heirloom tomatoes. Top each bagel with a slice.
Top each bagel with 5 slices of cucumber and a few red onion shavings.
Pulverise the 8 cherry tomatoes. Place in a seive and remove excess liquid. Place in a bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Spoon a quarter of the tomato mixture onto each bagel.
Drizzle each bagel with a little olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice.
(Optional) sprinkle over some dill sprigs, capers and a little sea salt. Enjoy!
Keyword bagel, cream cheese, cucumber, New York bagel, Tomatoes