Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Roll-Ups

Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Roll-Ups are my go-to for a quick lunch or brunch platter that feels effortless but always impresses. All the flavors you love from a classic bagel shop get wrapped up into tidy little bites that look like sushi but have the comfort of creamy cheese and luscious smoked salmon.

My family always requests these for lazy weekend brunches and they double as an elegant holiday appetizer. My kids call them fancy bagel bites and even my pickiest eater grabs seconds.

Ingredients

• Everything bagel seasoning blend: adds crunch and that signature toasty oniony flavor
• Smoked salmon: look for thin slices and good marbling for the best flavor
• Whipped cream cheese or room temperature regular cream cheese: spreads easily and gives a cloudlike texture
• Scallions: or substitute with chives for milder onion notes pick bright green stalks without wilting
• Fresh lemon zest: gives brightness and a bit of zing select a firm lemon and zest just the yellow part
• Ripe avocado: look for skin that yields to gentle pressure and is free of dark spots
• Small cucumber: adds crunch seedless or Persian varieties stay crisp
• Jalapeño pepper: gives heat the thinnest slices work best
• Low sodium soy sauce: adds a savory dip optional but so good with the salty salmon

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Salmon:

Lay out a sheet of plastic wrap about twenty inches long on your work surface. Sprinkle all over with your everything bagel seasoning so it covers the plastic evenly. Arrange the smoked salmon slices on top of the seasoning overlapping slightly to form a rectangle about eighteen inches by six inches. Press gently to help the seasoning stick to the fish.

Make the Cream Cheese Filling:

In a small bowl combine your cream cheese thinly sliced scallions and fresh lemon zest. Mix until you have a smooth spread flecked with green and yellow. Taste and adjust with a pinch of salt if you like.

Assemble and Fill:

Using a spatula or the back of a spoon spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the surface of the salmon rectangle. About two inches up from the closest long edge arrange your avocado strips and cucumber matchsticks in a single line across the width.

Roll into a Log:

Starting at the edge with the fillings use the plastic wrap to tightly roll the salmon and fillings away from you pressing gently after each turn. Keep rolling until you reach the end and you have a compact log. Unwrap and if you want sprinkle more everything bagel seasoning on top by rolling the finished log over any leftover seasoning.

Cut and Serve:

With a sharp knife slice the roll into bite size pieces about three quarters of an inch thick. Wipe the knife between slices for clean cuts. Arrange pieces upright on a serving plate. Top each with a wafer thin slice of jalapeño. For dipping serve with a splash of soy sauce in a small dish.

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My favorite part is the burst of lemon zest in the cream cheese which always wakes up the flavors. Every time I slice these into pinwheels my kids gather around waiting to snack on the chilled end bits and it has become a mini tradition in our house.

Storage Tips

Keep leftovers tightly wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to two days. The avocado is best fresh so if prepping ahead I recommend leaving it out and adding just before serving. Roll ups are not good for freezing as the texture of the cheese and salmon changes.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you have trouble finding everything bagel seasoning you can mix your own with poppy seeds sesame seeds dried garlic dried onion and a pinch of flaky salt. Try goat cheese instead of cream cheese for a tangier version or swap the cucumber for thinly sliced radish if you want extra crunch.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve these roll-ups as part of a brunch board with sliced fruit hard boiled eggs and mini bagels. For appetizers thread a toothpick through each slice and lay out on a platter with extra jalapeño on the side. My favorite is to pair them with a cold glass of sparkling water with lemon.

A Bite of History

Smoked salmon and cream cheese together are classic Jewish deli flavors especially beloved on the East Coast of the United States. This recipe takes those beloved ingredients and gives them a modern fun twist echoing the vibrant presentation of sushi but rooted in comfort food tradition.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I substitute the smoked salmon?

Yes, you can use gravlax, cured trout, or even thinly sliced deli turkey for a different taste and texture.

→ How do I keep the roll-ups from falling apart?

Roll tightly with the help of plastic wrap and chill for a few minutes before slicing for clean, sturdy pieces.

→ Is there a dairy-free option for the filling?

Swap the cream cheese for a plant-based alternative or a thick cashew spread for a creamy, dairy-free interior.

→ What other toppings work well?

Try capers, fresh dill, or thinly sliced red onion for additional flavor and texture in your roll-ups.

→ Can these be made ahead?

Prepare a few hours in advance and store, wrapped, in the fridge. Slice just before serving to keep them fresh.

→ What are some dipping sauce alternatives?

Lemon-dill yogurt, horseradish cream, or plain soy sauce complement the salmon and cream cheese beautifully.