There is no wrong way to enjoy a bagel. Whether you like them plain, with cream cheese, or flavored with everything seasoning, the options are endless. But what about the sides? What can you serve with bagels to make your breakfast or lunch complete?

I have been a die-hard fan of bagels since my teen years. I would go to the local bagel shop and order everything on my bagel with extra cream cheese. My friends would make fun of me, but I didn’t care. I loved my bagels, and I still do today.

These days, I like to mix things up and try new flavor combinations. And while I still love a good everything bagel with cream cheese, I’ve also discovered that there are so many other delicious things you can put on or beside a bagel – and not just for breakfast.

Here are 11 of my favorite side dishes to serve with bagels:

Sides for Bagels

Variety of Cream Cheeses
Steak and Eggs
Scrambled Eggs
Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Oatmeal
Simple Tuna Salad
Fruit Salad
Hash Browns

Cream Cheese

The most important part of any bagel is the cream cheese. I like to have a variety of flavors on hand so that everyone can find their favorite. Some of my favorites include:

Plain
Chive and onion
Strawberry
Blueberry

I already told you how much I love cream cheese, but it’s worth mentioning again. Not only is it delicious, but it also provides a good base for the other toppings.

Steak and Eggs

When you combine meat and eggs, the side dish is a load of protein that will help you power through your day. This dish is hearty and filling, making it the perfect accompaniment to a bagel.

Steak and eggs are another one of my favorite things to eat for breakfast. Especially when the steak is cooked to perfection and the eggs are nice and fluffy.

I like to add just a little bit of salt and pepper to my eggs so that the flavor of the steak comes through. And I always cook my steak medium-rare, so that it’s nice and juicy.

Scrambled Eggs

Scrambled eggs are a great option for those who don’t like their eggs cooked all the way through.