We all know and love spinach artichoke dip. It’s the undisputed champion of party appetizers—creamy, cheesy, savory, and utterly addictive. We scoop it up with tortilla chips, pita bread, and crackers until the bowl is scraped clean. But what if I told you that you could take all that incredible flavor and transform it into a satisfying, easy-to-make meal? That’s where these Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Bagels come in.

This recipe is the ultimate mashup of appetizer and entrée. We’re taking a rich, homemade spinach and artichoke spread, piling it high on a chewy bagel, and baking it until it’s golden, bubbly, and irresistible. It’s a grown-up pizza bagel. It’s a next-level cheese toast. It’s the perfect solution for a quick lunch, a savory breakfast, or even a casual weeknight dinner. It has all the crowd-pleasing flavor of the classic dip in a format that’s hearty enough to be the main event. Prepare to be obsessed.

Why I Love This Recipe

• Incredible Flavor Fusion: You get the rich, creamy, garlicky goodness of spinach artichoke dip combined with the satisfying chew of a perfectly toasted bagel. It’s a match made in heaven.
• So Quick and Easy: The cheesy topping whips up in minutes, and the bagels bake in about the same amount of time. You can have a hot, delicious meal on the table in under 20 minutes.
• Versatility is Key: This is a perfect way to use up leftover spinach artichoke dip if you have it. Or, make a big batch of the topping and have it ready for quick meals all week long.
• Customizable: You can use any kind of bagel you love and easily tweak the topping to make it your own. Add some spice, throw in some extra protein—it’s a fantastic base for your culinary creativity.

Ingredients

The magic here comes from creating a quick, ultra-flavorful spinach artichoke topping.

For the Spinach Artichoke Topping:

• Cream Cheese: 4 ounces of full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature. This is the creamy foundation.
• Mayonnaise or Sour Cream: ¼ cup of mayonnaise or sour cream. Mayo adds richness, while sour cream adds a slight tang.
• Spinach: 5 ounces of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed bone dry. This is a crucial step!
• Artichoke Hearts: 1 (14-ounce) can of artichoke hearts in water or brine, drained and finely chopped.
• Cheese: A blend is best for flavor and meltability:
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Garlic & Seasoning:
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)

For Assembly:

• Bagels: 2 of your favorite bagels (Plain, Everything, or Asiago bagels work beautifully), sliced in half.

Swaps and Notes

• Bagels: Literally any bagel will work here. Use your favorite! Gluten-free bagels are also a great option.
• Greens: Not a spinach fan? You could substitute finely chopped kale (steam it first) or even arugula for a peppery bite.
• Add Protein: This is delicious with about ½ cup of shredded rotisserie chicken or cooked, crumbled bacon mixed into the topping.
• Shortcut: In a real hurry? You can absolutely use 1 to 1.5 cups of your favorite store-bought spinach artichoke dip instead of making the topping from scratch.
• Cheese: Feel free to play with the cheese blend. Gruyère, provolone, or Monterey Jack would all be fantastic additions.

How to Make Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Bagels: Step-by-Step

1. Prep Your Oven and Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. The most important prep step: place your thawed spinach in a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels and squeeze until no more liquid comes out. A watery topping is the enemy!
2. Make the Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise (or sour cream), the squeezed-dry spinach, chopped artichoke hearts, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, onion powder, and optional red pepper flakes. Mix with a spatula until everything is well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Prep the Bagels: Place the 4 bagel halves on the prepared baking sheet, cut side up. You can toast them lightly for 2-3 minutes before topping to ensure they stay extra crisp, but it’s optional.
4. Assemble: Divide the spinach artichoke mixture evenly among the four bagel halves, spreading it all the way to the edges.
5. Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the topping is hot and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Optional Broil: For a more golden, browned top (like a classic dip), switch the oven to a high broil and cook for 1-2 minutes at the very end. Watch it like a hawk! The broiler can burn things in an instant.
7. Serve: Let the bagels cool for a minute or two before serving, as the topping will be extremely hot.

Tips for Success

• Squeeze That Spinach! I’m saying it one more time because it’s the most important tip. Excess water will make your topping runny and your bagels soggy.
• Soften the Cream Cheese: Using room temperature cream cheese makes mixing everything together incredibly easy and ensures you don’t have lumps.
• Chop Everything Finely: Finely chopping the artichokes and mincing the garlic ensures you get all the flavors in every bite without any single ingredient overpowering the others.
• Don’t Walk Away from the Broiler: If you choose to broil for that extra color, do not leave the oven. It goes from golden to burnt in a matter of seconds.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

These bagels are a fantastic meal on their own. For a more complete lunch or dinner, serve one half alongside a simple green salad with a vinaigrette or a warm cup of tomato soup. You can also slice them into quarters and arrange them on a platter for a super easy and hearty party appetizer.

Storage and Leftover Tips

If you have leftover spinach artichoke topping, it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The baked bagels are best enjoyed immediately. If you must store leftovers, keep them in the fridge and reheat in an oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes until heated through and crispy. The microwave will make them soft.

More Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re a fan of cheesy, dippable, crowd-pleasing flavors, you have to check out these other favorites:

• The Ultimate Cheesy Hot Dip: Another incredible hot dip that’s perfect for any gathering.
• Beer Cheese Dip: My go-to party starter that always disappears in minutes.
• Crockpot Nacho Dip: Let the slow cooker do the work for this ultra-easy, ultra-cheesy dip.
• Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders: Another great recipe that turns a classic flavor into a hearty sandwich.
• This One-Pan Breakfast Bake: For another cheesy, all-in-one meal that’s perfect for breakfast or brunch.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Bagel recipe is proof that some of the best meals are born from combining two already amazing foods. It’s simple, satisfying, and packed with the flavors everyone loves. It’s the kind of easy win recipe that you’ll keep in your back pocket for busy days and lazy weekends.

Give it a try and let me know how you customize it! I’d love to hear your favorite bagel and cheese combinations in the comments below. Enjoy!