This small-batch, savory seed blend is easy to mix up, endlessly customizable, and perfect for sprinkling on scones, salads, avocado toast, eggs, baked potatoes… honestly, everything. It’s like everything bagel seasoning … but better. Garlicky-er. Saltier. This recipe makes a heaping 1/3 cup.

You know and love the classic everything bagel seasoning blend, but this Crunchy Everything Seasoning version is a little bit of a twist on that recipe. It’s packed with a colorful mix of sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, poppy seeds, and flaky sea salt. It brings major flavor and texture to anything it touches (we specifically love eggs, vegetables, and salads!) Around here, we call it Flavor Confetti because honestly, every sprinkle feels like throwing a little party onto your plate. 🥳✨

Think of this as a homemade, small-batch upgrade to classic everything bagel seasoning — but with even more texture, flavor, and personality. It’s super easy to make, customizable to what you have in your pantry, and seriously addictive. (Fair warning: you might find yourself sprinkling it on literally everything.)

A small bowl of crunchy everything seasoning.

Ingredients for Everything Crunch Topping:

2 tablespoons White Sesame Seeds
2 tablespoons Black Sesame Seeds
- (or just 4 tablespoons of one kind if that’s what you have!)
2 tablespoons Sunflower Seeds (I use roasted + salted)
1 tablespoon Poppy Seeds
1 tablespoon Dried Minced Onion (aka Minced Onion, Onion Flakes)
1 tablespoon Dried Minced Garlic (aka Minced Garlic, Garlic Flakes)
½ teaspoon Flaked Sea Salt (I use Jacobsen Finishing Salt)
Optional add-ins:
- 1 tablespoon Flax Seeds (for extra texture and nutrition)
- ½ teaspoon Caraway Seeds (for an earthy, almost rye-like note)

Ingredients to make Everything but the bagel seasoning mix laid out on a flat surface and labeled.

Ingredient Notes & FAQs

Sesame Seeds: I love using both black and white sesame seeds for color contrast, but you can absolutely just use one or the other!

Sunflower Seeds: They bring a buttery, slightly nutty flavor that makes this topping extra craveable. They add a little extra crunch, too.

Flaked Sea Salt: This adds those big salty pops we love. I use Jacobsen Salt Co. Finishing Salt (from Tillamook, Oregon – I grabbed some on a trip there this spring!). It’s insanely awesome, and similar to Maldon Sea Salt (which is a more popular flaky finishing salt). I highly recommend using one of these two for this recipe, because you want those flaky pieces to add flavor and crunch to this topping stuff. Coarse salt will work, too – like a crunchy kosher salt or a coarse sea salt. BUT if you only have fine sea salt, cut the amount in half.

Garlic & Onion Flakes: These give you that classic savory depth — basically, the soul of everything seasoning. We toast them first for a little added flavor, too.

Optional Seeds: Flax seeds and caraway seeds aren’t essential, but they add bonus crunch and flavor if you have them around!

Directions

Step One: Toast the Seeds, Garlic, and Onion. Set a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, dried minced garlic, and dried minced onion. (Add the flax seeds and caraway seeds if using, too.) Toast the seeds in the dry pan for 3-4 minutes, tossing them frequently so they toast evenly.

A pan full of sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, minced garlic, minced onion.

A stainless steel pan full of crunchy everything seasoning seed blend.

Step Two: Add the Poppy Seeds and Salt. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for a couple of minutes. Stir in the poppy seeds and salt.

A pan with everything seasoning blend in it.

Step Three: Sprinkle it! That’s it! Your crunchy everything seasoning blend is good on eggs, salads, avocado toast, potatoes … seriously, so many things. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips & Tricks

Don’t skip the toasting if you have a couple extra minutes! It really unlocks the full flavor of the seeds.
Keep it dry when storing — moisture will soften the crunch.
Taste and adjust the salt to your preference! You can always sprinkle a little extra flaky salt when you serve it.

Customize Your Crunch:

This recipe is super flexible! Some easy ideas:

Add crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Stir in dried herbs (like thyme or oregano) for a herby version.
Use pumpkin seeds instead of sunflower seeds for a fall-ish vibe. Or throw some in with the sunflower seeds for extra texture/crunch.
Add nutritional yeast for a cheesy, savory twist.

The entire A Flavor Journal website is packed with small batch recipes, by the way! If you’re often cooking for one or two people, feel free to sign up for my weekly newsletter. I only send one newsletter each week, but it’s packed with four small batch recipes, as well as a few tips and tricks for you.

Ways to Use Crunchy Everything Topping:

This insanely crunchy, savory seasoning blend is way too good to limit to just bagels. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:

Add a little sprinkle over salads, like this Salmon Kale Salad with Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing, for extra texture.
Top savory toasts — like Smoked Salmon & Dill Crème Fraîche Toasts (coming soon!) for the ultimate brunch bite.
Sprinkle over fresh-out-of-the-oven Cheddar & Chive Scones for even more flavor and texture.
Finish off Small Batch Everything Seasoning Rolls for a buttery, bakery-worthy upgrade.
Toss roasted veggies with olive oil and a handful of seasoning for an easy flavor boost.
Mix into creamy dips like hummus, whipped feta, or savory yogurt bowls for an unexpected twist.
Use as a crunchy topping for Spicy Cheddar Chicken & Broccoli Orzo — trust me, it’s SO GOOD.

A small bowl of crunchy everything seasoning spilled out onto a marbled surface.

How to Store Leftovers

At Room Temperature: In an airtight container, it’s good for 2 weeks.
In the Fridge: It’ll stay fresher longer — up to a month.
In the Freezer: You can freeze it for up to 3 months if you want to batch it! (But honestly… you’ll probably use it all way before then.)

This crunchy, savory topping is the secret weapon you didn’t know you needed. It’s a five-minute upgrade that makes every bite better, and once you start using it to amp up your favorite recipes, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it! 🎉 If you want to make more than 1/3 cup, there is a little slider bar in the recipe card below (near “servings”). Slide that bar to adjust the amount you want to make, and the ingredients will automatically adjust for you.

Go ahead. Make it. Sprinkle it with wild abandon. ✨ You can also share it on Instagram and tag me so we can connect and be *friends*! Also, if you have any questions about the ingredients or how to make this, send me an email so I can help out.

xx Sara