Give Croissants A Kick With A Dash Of This Cheap Aldi Seasoning

When Trader Joe's introduced Everything But the Bagel seasoning in 2017, it inspired numerous knockoffs — including versions at Aldi. From time to time, Aldi shoppers have spotted a spicier version of this mix: Stonemill Jalapeño Everything Bagel Seasoning Blend, which costs just $1.99 for a 2.3-ounce shaker. Unlike the basic bagel blend, the jalapeño version seems to be a seasonal item in some stores, although several members of Facebook's Aldi Aisle of Shame Community say their local Aldis stock it year-round. If you get your hands on a jar and you're wondering what to do with it, we have a carb-related suggestion that doesn't involve bagels: DIY spicy croissants. 

Avoid the canned doughy disasters known as Bake House Creations canned crescent rolls, and go for the Bake House and Specially Selected croissants found in the bakery aisle instead. Both will work well, so grab a package, along with a carton of eggs. Once you get your groceries home, crack an egg, beat it with a tablespoon of water, and brush the mixture over the tops of the croissants. Sprinkle them with the jalapeño bagel seasoning, then heat them in the oven for a few minutes to warm them through and cook the egg. When the egg wash is done, it will have taken on a golden-brown appearance and "glued" the seasoning in place.

Jalapeño-seasoned croissants make the perfect base for a chicken salad sandwich, especially if you've added shredded cheddar to the mix. Other options include stuffing them with bacon and eggs to make breakfast sandwiches or using them in a southwestern-style egg-filled breakfast bake made with pepper jack and pico de gallo. Should the croissants become slightly stale, you can also sneak them into your next salad – cut them into cubes, toss them in some olive oil and a few shakes of seasoning, and toast them in the oven before throwing the croutons on some greens dressed with jalapeño ranch dressing.

If you don't want to mess around with an egg wash and turning on the oven, there's another way you can get Stonemill Jalapeño Everything Bagel Seasoning Blend to stick to your croissants, and it's even more bagel-like. All you need to do is split each croissant in two and apply a coating of store-bought cream cheese to the cut surfaces. You'll either need to use the whipped version or make sure the brick is good and softened because croissants aren't nearly as sturdy as bagels and thus far more likely to tear. Sprinkle the seasoning over the cream cheese and savor the peppery flavor with each bite. For a double dose, split a seasoned croissant made using the aforementioned egg wash method, then add a spicy cream cheese coating to the interior.