These 5-minute homemade air fryer bagel bites are cheesy, crispy, and so easy! Made with mini bagels, pasta sauce, shredded cheese, and any toppings you want. They’re perfect for any meal or snack.
Update: This recipe was first published in May 2022 and has been updated with more tips and step-by-step photos to make air frying pizza bagels even easier!
These mini air fryer pizza bagels are inspired by my popular air fryer tortilla pizzas and these air fryer pizza rolls. They’re a quick, 5-minute meal or snack made with just three ingredients and customizable with your favorite toppings like pepperoni, mushrooms, or pineapple.
Each bagel is crispy outside, fluffy inside, and topped with gooey cheese. They make for the perfect game day or after-school snacks, and they’re healthier than frozen versions with no preservatives. Plus, they’re fun to make, and kids and adults will love creating their own!
Why you'll love this air fryer recipe:
- Quick & Easy: Ready in just 5 minutes!
- Cheesy & Crispy: The perfect texture combo.
- Healthier: Way better than store-bought frozen bagel bites.
- Customizable: Add your favorite toppings like pepperoni or veggies.
- Kid-Approved: A fun and easy meal or snack for kids!
Ingredients
These mini air fryer bagel bites are made with just three simple ingredients, and they’re easy to customize. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Mini Bagels: Any kind will work—plain, everything, sesame, or even gluten-free. I recommend Trader Joe’s mini bagels for their perfect size and taste.
- Pasta Sauce: Use whatever sauce you have on hand! Marinara, pizza sauce, or arrabbiata are great. If you want to switch things up, try alfredo or pesto for a fun twist.
- Cheese: Mozzarella is the go-to, but cheddar, Mexican blend, or dairy-free cheese works too. I suggest shredding your own for the best melt!
How to make homemade air fryer bagel bites
These mini air fryer bagel bites are so easy to make and take just 5 minutes! Customize them with your favorite toppings for a quick snack or meal. Here’s how to make them:
Prep the Bagels: Cut your mini bagels in half and spread a spoonful of marinara sauce on each half.
Add Cheese & Toppings: Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the sauce. Add your favorite toppings like pepperoni, veggies, or pineapple.
Air Fry: Place the bagel halves in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 380°F for 3–5 minutes, checking at the 3-minute mark to avoid burning.
Cool & Serve: Let the bagel bites cool in the air fryer basket for 1–2 minutes, then enjoy them warm!
Top tips
- Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: Make sure the mini bagels are not stacked on top of each other. If they are too close, they won’t cook properly and the cheese might not melt.
- Use a Small Amount of Sauce: Spread about 1 tablespoon of sauce on each bagel half. Too much sauce can make a mess and cause the toppings to slide off.
- Keep an Eye on Them: Air fryers cook quickly! Check your bagel bites at the 3-minute mark to make sure they’re not burning and the cheese is melted.
Topping variations
- Pepperoni
- Shredded chicken
- Sliced deli turkey
- Ham
- Chicken or pork sausage (pre-cooked)
- Ground beef (cooked)
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Peppers
- Olives
- Anchovies
- Banana peppers
- Hot cherry peppers
- Pineapple
- Ham
- Cherry tomatoes
- Spinach
- Hot honey(add a little drizzle after you air fry the bagel bites)
- White pizza (swap the red sauce for alfredo sauce)
- Pesto pizza (add pesto on top or swap the red sauce for pesto)
Equipment
Here’s what you’ll need to make these homemade air fryer bagel bites:
- Air Fryer
- Spoon
- Measuring Tools
Substitutions
- Mini Bagels: You can use full-sized bagels instead. Just increase the air frying time by about 5 minutes, and be sure not to overcrowd the basket!
- Make Them Dairy-Free & Vegan: Use your favorite dairy-free shredded cheese to make these bagel bites vegan-friendly.
- Make Them Gluten-Free: Swap in mini gluten-free bagels to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Cheese: Try different types of cheese like sharp cheddar, mozzarella blend, or dairy-free alternatives to suit your preferences.
Storage
Storing: Keep your cooked bagel bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days to keep them fresh.
Freezing: For longer storage, wrap each bagel bite individually and place them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll stay good for up to 2-3 months. Just reheat in the air fryer or oven when ready to enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Just slice them in half and increase the air frying time by about 5 minutes. Be sure not to overcrowd the basket for even cooking.
Absolutely! Use your favorite gluten-free mini bagels to make this recipe gluten-free.
Yes! Simply swap out the shredded mozzarella for your favorite dairy-free cheese to make them dairy-free or vegan.
Air fry at 380°F for the best results. This temperature ensures the bottoms get crispy and the cheese melts perfectly. If the temperature is too high, they may burn.
Yes! Wrap each bagel bite individually and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. When ready to enjoy, just reheat them in the air fryer!
More air fryer recipes!
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Did you make this recipe?
Remember to leave a review and let me know how it turned out! Also, tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram with #healthfulblondie. I love seeing and sharing your creations!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Bagel Bites
Ingredients
- 4 plain mini bagels, cut in half
- ⅓ cup marinara, tomato, or pizza sauce
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella, more if desired
- Optional toppings: mini pepperonis or regular-sized ones cut in half, cooked chicken sausage, shredded chicken (cooked), cooked ground beef, pineapple, ham, peppers, mushrooms, chopped deli turkey, olives, cherry tomatoes, banana peppers, etc.
Instructions
- Cut your mini bagels in half, then spread a spoonful of marinara sauce on top of each bagel.
- Evenly sprinkle each bagel half with cheese.
- Add any toppings you want.
- Place the bagel halves into the air fryer basket.
- Let them cool in the air fryer basket for 1 – 2 minutes. Enjoy warm!
Notes
Nutrition
I only recommend products I love and use myself. In full disclosure, I may receive a small compensation for purchasing a product I recommend. Thank you for supporting Healthful Blondie!
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