The Crowd pleasing bagel board

In my new(ish) suburban life, I’ve found that I love to entertain. Having a house that we’ve made our own had that effect on me. But one thing hasn’t changed: I still don’t love to cook or bake. So I’m always looking for easy entertaining options. I love making charcuterie boards and snack boards for every occasion. I’ve also learned that brunch is the absolute easiest time to host a gathering. If you’re looking for an easy brunch party idea, I’ve got you covered. Enter: the crowd pleasing bagel board.

What to put on your bagel board

The topping options for a bagel board are endless, but I like to keep things classic. Here, I have two different types of smoked salmon — one regular, one with everything but the bagel seasoning — dill, tomatoes, cucumbers, and capers. And of course, I put assorted cream cheese options in pretty bowls.

Technically, I make two boards: one that holds the assorted bagels (I replenish as they get low, so nothing is stale), one that has the toppings. I also have two toasters on the counter in case anyone likes theirs toasted.

Why I love it for brunch parties

The first time I made a bagel board, I wasn’t sure how popular it would be. We had quiche, french toast casserole, pastries, and a lot of other brunch party staples. But surprisingly, I had to replenish the bagel board pretty quickly. It was a total hit! Since then, it’s a go-to for daytime gatherings. It involves zero cooking and is very affordable. Bagels are so inexpensive, and the priciest thing on the board is the smoked salmon. Trader Joe’s has affordable options, and local delis often have great deals. Over all, the bagel board is a very inexpensive brunch party idea and a total crowd pleaser.

Other bagel board topping ideas

I may be all about the classic bagel toppings, but you can get as creative as you want to. Here are some other ideas:

• Nut butters, fresh fruits, jams, and crunchy toppings like granola or nuts for a sweeter option
• hard boiled egg slices, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado for hearty breakfast sandwiches
• ricotta, honey, berries, walnuts

The options are endless. Let me know if you have any ideas I should try!

p.s. Of course, my terrazzo board came from HomeGoods. I linked some other gorgeous options below!