Homemade Bagel Bites in the Air Fryer

These homemade bagel bites in the air fryer are seriously the BEST. Whether you're looking for an easy snack recipe, looking for a taste of your childhood, or anything in between, these bagel bite pizzas in the air fryer are so easy and delicious.

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​You'll love these homemade bagel bites in the air fryer

They're quick and easy. These could not be easier to make homemade. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make your own bagel bites and customize them to your liking. Plus, they are so much better than frozen bagel bites. 

They're versatile. From an easy lunch for kids to a nostalgic snack for adults, to even being able to add your own toppings, these little pizzas are perfect for almost any occasion. 

They're so nostalgic. Maybe it's the millennial in me, but these are so nostalgic for me and I love being able to make air fryer pizza bagels. 

How do I make bagel bites in the air fryer?

Don't get me wrong, I love frozen bagel bites just as much as the next person, but these homemade bagel bites are seriously so easy to make! You can even take it a step further and make your bagels from scratch, BUT let's not get too carried away here. You only need a few ingredients and maybe 20 minutes of your own time to make this crowd pleaser of a snack. 

Ingredients

Mini Bagels. These will obviously give you that true bagel bite experience. You can find these at your grocery store in your bagel aisle. You could use a regular-sized bagel if you'd like, but that does take away from the bagel bite experience. I'm just saying! 

Pizza Sauce. You don't necessarily need pizza sauce, marinara works perfectly fine, too! Whatever red sauce you have in your pantry is perfect for these bagel bites in the air fryer.

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese. You can use an Italian blend or just shredded mozzarella for this recipe.

Mini Pepperoni. If you don't have, or can't find, mini pepperoni, you can also dice regular pepperoni into mini bite-sized pieces.

Oregano. This is crucial for any pizza! Add some dried oregano on top to bring the flavor to the next level.

Red Pepper Flakes. If you like the slightest bit of spice, I recommend adding some red pepper flakes. 

Garlic Powder. Similar to dried oregano, I recommend always adding garlic powder on top of any homemade pizza. 

How to make bagel bites in the air fryer

1. Pre-heat your air fryer to 360F. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, simply run your air fryer at 360F for about 3 minutes. 
2. ​Take your mini bagels and slice them in half. On your bagel halves, spread a bit of tomato sauce, top with cheese, spices and any additional toppings. 
3. Place in a single layer in the air fryer basket, you may need to do multiple rounds of cooking depending on the size of your air fryer, but that's ok.
4. Cook at 360F for 4-6 minutes, or until the cheese is all nice and golden brown. Cooking time will vary based on your air fryer, so I suggest checking in on them at around the 4-minute mark. 
5. Using a pair of tongs, carefully remove the bagel bites one by one and place them on a plate. 
6. Serve immediately and enjoy your air-fried bagel bites. 

Toppings for bagel bites

You can top these pizza snacks however you want, but I advise keeping it simple. These mini pizza bagels are mini (duh) and can't necessarily handle all the toppings the traditional-sized pizzas could. Here are some mini topping ideas that all make for great options. 

• Mini Pepperonis
• Diced Veggies - onions, peppers, mushrooms
• Crumbled Sausage

Variations

Say you want to stray from the traditional pizza recipe, here are some fun variations you can try next time you're craving an easy bagel bites recipe.

Buffalo Bagel Bites. Swap the pizza sauce for buffalo sauce, top with cheddar cheese, and sprinkle with ranch seasoning. You could also include blue cheese if that's your style, too.

BBQ Chicken.​ Swap the pizza sauce for your favorite bbq sauce, top with a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheese, finely diced red onion, and little bits of shredded chicken for a fun twist on homemade pizza bagel bites.

White Pizza Bites.​ Swap the red sauce for olive oil, top with ricotta cheese, mozzarella, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. 

Dips to serve with bagel bites

Depending on the variation of mini pizzas you choose to make, really depends on your dipping sauces. However, here's a list of possible options you can serve with cooked bagel bites.

• Marinara Sauce
• Ranch Dressing
• Garlic Paste
• BBQ Sauce

How to store homemade air fryer bagel bites

In an airtight container, store your mini air fryer bagel bites in the fridge. Once you're ready for a quick snack, you can reheat the leftover bagel bites in the air fryer at 320F for 3-4 minutes. 

Amazon home kitchen finds

You'll want an air fryer for this recipe, of course! I love these brands if you're looking for a quality air fryer: Cosory Air Fryer, Instant Pot, or Ninja.

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FAQs

Can I put foil in the air fryer?

Yes, you can put aluminum foil in the air fryer! Just like an oven, hot air is circulated around your air fryer, so it's perfectly safe to put foil in the air fryer.

Do I have to preheat my air fryer?

Yes! Similar to an oven, for best results, I recommend preheating your air fryer. 

Can I use a regular-sized bagel?

You can! I recommend cooking at 360F for 5-7 minutes.

Can I use gluten-free bagels?

You sure can! 

Want more air fryer recipes?

• Air Fryer Halloumi
• Buffalo Tofu Nuggets in the Air Fryer
• Crescent Rolls in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Garlic Bread