Lox & Bagel Bites (Easy No-Cook Party Appetizer)
Think of your favorite lox-and-bagel moment—now imagine it in one perfect, crunchy bite. They’re effortless, elegant, and wildly addictive… the kind of hors d’oeuvre that disappears before you even set the platter down.
This recipe yields approximately 60 bites
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There’s something magical about the way a great cheese inspires a recipe—almost like it whispers, “Hey, pair me with something delightful.” That’s exactly how these Lox & Bagel Bites came to life for my Cheeselandia party. One taste of the creamy Widmer’s Cheese Cellars™ Butterkäse and I immediately thought: bagel… lox… let’s go!
Butterkäse is soft, mild, and gets beautifully spreadable at room temp, giving total cream-cheese energy. Add silky cold-smoked salmon (aka lox), a sprinkle of Everything Bagel seasoning, and suddenly you’ve transformed a simple platter into a tray of irresistible, poppable bites.
My husband is a die-hard lox-and-bagel guy—if we’re in a city with a proper Jewish deli, we’re stopping. So when these disappeared at the party faster than I could set them down, I knew they were a keeper.
Best part? They might just be the easiest hors d’oeuvres you’ll ever make. Like… ever.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
How to Make Them
It’s truly as simple as:
- Lay all your bagel chips on a platter.
- Top with a smear or slice of Butterkäse.
- Add the cold-smoked salmon.
- Finish with Everything Bagel Sesame Seasoning blend.
That’s it!
Jenn’s Kitchen Tips:
Because these bites include salmon, don’t leave them out for more than 2 hours. After that, they belong in the “had a good run” pile.
Cooking with Kids
This is a dream kid-helper recipe—minimal mess, zero heat, and lots of sprinkling power.
Notes
Bagel chips soften quickly once topped with cheese, so it’s best to assemble these right before serving or in small batches.
Leftovers (if you somehow have any!) can be refrigerated for 1 day, but the texture will start to go downhill.
As for the salmon—once opened, it can be tightly wrapped and refrigerated for up to 7 days.
If you can’t find Butterkäse Cheese in your area, use Cream cheese instead.
Did You Make This Recipe?
I’d love to hear how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating if you loved it. If you share on Instagram, tag me @cheersjennsmith—I’ll feature your creations in my stories!
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Lox & Bagel Bites
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: ~60 bites
Description
These easy Lox & Bagel Bites bring the classic deli combo to your appetizer platter in the simplest, most party-friendly way possible. Four ingredients are all you need. Creamy Butterkäse, silky cold-smoked salmon, crunchy bagel chips, and a sprinkle of Everything Bagel seasoning create a bite-sized snack that’s elegant, crowd-pleasing, and ready in minutes—no cooking required.
Ingredients
- 60 bagel chips (any flavor works)
- 7 oz Widmer’s Cheese Cellars™ Butterkäse with Chives (see substitutions)
- 3 oz deli-sliced Nova salmon (cold-smoked or brined)
- 2 teaspoons Everything Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend (optional but recommended)
Instructions
- Arrange all the bagel chips in a single layer on a serving platter.
- Top each chip with a small piece or smear of Butterkäse.
- Layer a piece of salmon on top of the cheese.
- Finish each bite with a pinch of Everything Bagel seasoning.
- Serve immediately.
Equipment
Buy Now → Notes
Substitutions
-
Butterkäse with Chives: Use a 1:1 swap of whipped cream cheese and add freshly chopped chives for a similar flavor and texture.
Storage
- Bagel chips soften quickly once topped with cheese, so it’s best to assemble these right before serving or in small batches.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 1 day, but the texture of the bagels may become a little soft.
- As for the salmon, once opened, it can be tightly wrapped and refrigerated for up to 7 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: hors d’oeuvres / Appetizer
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American / Fusion
©Photo, Prop Styling, and Food Styling by Jenn Smith
©2025 Cheers, Jenn™ | Cheers, Jenn Smith™ | Jenn Smith, LLC (FKA Smith Country, LLC)
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