Having overnight guests and wishing to reduce your hosting stress? Allow guests to make their own bagel breakfast with no cooking involved!
Why it makes sense….
Not everyone wakes up at the same time in the morning nor enjoys eating the exact same breakfast. If you’re hosting guests, why not create a simple DIY cold bagel bar (no hot food) so that your company can eat what it wants for breakfast, when they want. All you need to do is set the ingredients out and keep foods cool and fresh! Then, let the guests do “the job” of creating their own breakfast.
Tips: Set out a toaster with wooden toast tongs for toast removal. (Unplug toaster first and never use metal to remove toast due to electrician risk). That way guests can toast their bagels if desired. Pre-slice bagels in advance so that guests won’t risk cutting themselves. Use charcuterie and other boards for displaying bagels in an easy to self-serve fashion. Also set out plates, utensils, napkins, and anything else guests may need. Read on for more tips below!!
It’s all about choices…
Here’s what you’ll need for your DIY bagel bar (feel free to pick and choose from the list or offer it all!)
- Assorted bagels, pre-sliced
- Assorted cream cheese (plain, vegetable, chive, etc.)
- Assorted jams (strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, etc.)
- Capers
- Assorted mustard/mayonnaise
- Fresh pickles
- Sliced cucumbers
- Sliced tomatoes
- Sliced red onions
- Fresh salmon & tuna
- Cold cuts (sliced salami, pepperoni, rosemary ham, turkey, etc.)
- Sliced cheese assortment
- Egg salad
- Potato chips
- Peanut butter (if no peanut allergies)
Tips:
Be sure to offer a wide selection of beverages to include hot coffee and condiments, hot tea assortment with fresh lemon, hot chocolate, a variety of fresh juices (orange, grapefruit, tomato), chilled water, and cold milk.
Hot food options:
Should you decide to serve hot food, too, include scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and fresh cooked sausage. Keep food warm on a warming tray. Or prepare in advance hot premade bagel sandwich assortments – and individually wrap the sandwiches in foil. Keep the wrapped bagel sandwiches warm in the oven until ready to serve.
Also, have the makings for a fresh yogurt parfait available. Click here to jump to our Fruit yogurt parfaits article!