This Spicy Veggie Bagel Sandwich is going to be your new favorite way to eat a bagel. A crispy bagel layered with a chili spread, veggie cream cheese, hashbrowns, caramelised onions, and then topped with crunchy jalapeños is just an explosion of flavor and goodness! All flavors and textures complement each other so well. These are really easy to make and make a delicious breakfast snack or brunch dish. You can meal prep elements and keep them ready to save time as well. These vegetarian bagel sandwiches are a must-try!

Happy Cooking!

Servings: 3-4 bagel sandwiches

Prep Time: 20-25 mins

Cooking Time: 15-20 mins

Total Time: 35-45 mins

Ingredients: 

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1-1.5 large white onions cut into thin slices

• 1/2-1 tsp salt as per taste

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

• 6-7 oz Cream cheese; softened

• 1 Scallion finely chopped

• 2 tbsp finely chopped bell pepper; I used yellow bell peppers

• 1 Jalapeño/Serrano finely chopped

• 3-4 Bagels of your choice

• 2-3 tbsp chili spread/paste of your choice

• 4-5 Hash browns or 6-7 oz shredded potatoes

• 1/4-1/2 cup shredded cheddar Cheese 

• 1 Jalapeño/Serrano cut in 12-16 thin slices

  
  Directions: 

1. Caramelized Onions: Put a saute pan on low-medium heat and add olive oil.

2. Add onions when warm and saute on low for 20-25 mins till caramelized. Be sure to stir frequently so it doesn’t burn and caramelizes evenly. Add salt midway and mix. Once caramelized keep it aside.

3. Hashbrowns: If you are using formed hashbrowns, cook them as per package instructions and then cut them into 2-3 divisions each. If you are making your own, divide the shredded potatoes to form 12-16 small hashbrowns. Cook them on a skillet with butter till both sides are toasty. Sprinkle some salt on them and keep them aside. You can even cook them in an air fryer if you want, Preheat the air fryer to 390F. Form the divisions and place them in the air fryer. Spray/brush butter on it and sprinkle salt. Cook at 390F for 6-10 mins flipping it midway till both sides are cooked, brown, and crispy.

4. Cream cheese: In a mixing bowl, add softened cream cheese, chopped peppers, jalapenos, scallions, salt, pepper, and mix together. Keep it aside.

5. Assembly: Preheat the oven to 350F. Slice the bagels in half and place them on a parchment-lined baking tray and spray/brush butter on them.

6. Cook for 6-8 mins till it’s as toasty as you like.

7. Once out of the oven, let it cool for 1-2 mins then spread the chili paste on it followed by the cream cheese mixture.

8. Top it with the hashbrowns and then caramelised onions and sandwich it.

9. Sprinkle some cheese on top and place the jalapeno slices on it and press down.

10. Broil on high for 2-3 mins till the cheese has melted and jalapenos are slightly cooked from the top.

11. Slice and serve! This is delicious cold and hot!

Notes/Tips:

• You can caramelise the onions and keep them from before.

• Be careful while broiling so that you don’t burn the bagel. If you cook it for too long, the cream cheese will melt.

• You can spread less cream cheese if you want.

• I used One Mighty Mill bagels.

• I used Cento spicy spread and it paired so well.