These warm mini bagels are made for winter entertaining. Sweet, buttery leeks are gently cooked until soft, then folded through a creamy mixture with flakes of hot smoked salmon. Served on lightly grilled buttered mini bagels and finished with crispy fried capers, lemon zest and fresh dill, they're the perfect bite to enjoy with friends over drinks.

I created this recipe as a fun and elegant entertaining starter that's just as hearty as it is beautiful. Think of it as a warm baked dip, but a little more refined. Creamy, buttery leeks are folded through hot smoked salmon and served on crisp, toasted mini bagels for the perfect winter bite.

The crispy fried capers are what really make this recipe special. They add a salty, crunchy finish that perfectly balances the rich, creamy topping and take these bagels to the next level.

The best part? You can make the creamy salmon mixture ahead of time, then simply reheat, toast the bagels and assemble just before serving. It's an impressive yet completely fuss-free recipe that's perfect for entertaining.

What's in this recipe?

Creamy leeks & salmon

Butter
Butter is used to gently cook the leeks until they're sweet, soft and silky, creating the rich base for the creamy filling.
Leeks
Leeks become beautifully sweet and tender as they cook, adding a delicate onion flavour that pairs perfectly with the salmon.
Garlic
Garlic adds depth and savouriness, balancing the richness of the creamy filling.
Dijon mustard
A little Dijon mustard cuts through the creaminess and adds subtle tang. Wholegrain mustard also works well if you prefer a little extra texture.
Cream cheese & cream
This combination creates a creamy, luxurious filling that stays smooth when warmed without becoming overly thick or heavy.
Parmesan
Parmesan adds savoury depth and a subtle nutty flavour. Finely grated pecorino also works well as a substitute.
Hot smoked salmon
The star of the recipe. Hot smoked salmon adds rich, smoky flavour and flakes beautifully through the creamy leek mixture. Hot smoked trout makes a delicious alternative.
Lemon & dill
These bring freshness and brightness to the rich filling while complementing the smoky salmon perfectly.
Black pepper
Freshly cracked black pepper adds gentle warmth and enhances all of the flavours.

To serve

Olive oil & capers
Simply fry capers in olive oil until crisp, creating little bursts of salty crunch that make these bagels truly memorable. If you're short on time, simply scatter over drained capers instead.
Mini bagels
Mini bagels are the perfect size for entertaining and create a satisfying bite without being too filling. I buy mine from a French bakery (Jean-Claude Patisserie) in Perth, but your local bakery may stock them too. If you can't find mini bagels, thick slices of toasted sourdough or small dinner rolls work just as well.
Butter
A light spread of butter before toasting gives the bagels a beautifully golden, crisp finish and adds extra flavour.
Fresh dill & lemon zest
A final scattering of fresh dill and finely grated lemon zest adds colour, freshness and a beautiful finishing touch.

Step-by-step photos

Lightly fry off leeks in butter

Add garlic to softened leeks

Add creamy ingredients to leeks

Add salmon and remaining ingredients to creamy mixture

Lightly butter bagels and toast until golden