If you’re hunting for a family-friendly snack or lightning-fast meal that feels like pure comfort food, let me introduce you to Air Fryer Pizza Bagels. They’re mini bagels turned into irresistible, cheesy personal pizzas—crispy on the outside, gooey on top, and ready in just minutes. Whether you need a quick after-school treat, a crowd-pleasing party plate, or just a way to satisfy those pizza cravings without fuss, these pizza bagels deliver it all. You’ll love how endlessly customizable they are, and the air fryer ensures perfect results every time!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is all about simplicity, but each ingredient brings something special—from the chewy bagels to the rich pizza sauce and stretchy mozzarella. Every component builds the layers of flavor and texture that make Air Fryer Pizza Bagels so addictive. Here’s what you’ll need for the best results:
- Mini plain bagels (4, sliced in half): The perfect base, these form the chewy and crisp “crust” for each mini pizza.
- Pizza sauce (½ cup): A tangy, herby spread that brings classic pizza flavor to every bite—choose your favorite or make it homemade.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (1 cup): Melts into that dreamy, stretchy cheese layer every pizza bagel needs.
- Pepperoni slices (16, or preferred toppings): Adds a little spice and flavor kick; swap in mushrooms, peppers, or any favorite!
- Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon): A sprinkle of this fragrant blend ties all the flavors together and makes each bite more delicious.
- Olive oil spray (optional): For extra golden, crispy bagel edges, a quick mist does the trick.
How to Make Air Fryer Pizza Bagels
Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer
Start by preheating your air fryer to 370°F. Giving it a few minutes to heat ensures your Air Fryer Pizza Bagels get that signature crispy base right from the start. It’s a small step, but it makes a big difference for both texture and speed!
Step 2: Prepare the Bagels
Slice your mini bagels in half horizontally, so you have eight open-faced halves. If you enjoy a shatteringly crisp crust, lightly spray the cut sides with olive oil spray—it really amps up that golden crunch after air frying.
Step 3: Add Sauce and Cheese
Now for the fun part! Spread about one tablespoon of pizza sauce onto each bagel half. Get all the way to the edges for maximum pizza flavor in every bite. Next, sprinkle a generous layer of shredded mozzarella over the sauce. Don’t be shy; more cheese equals more melty goodness.
Step 4: Top and Season
Add two slices of pepperoni to each bagel half, or substitute with your favorite toppings—think sliced olives, diced bell peppers, or even cooked sausage crumbles. Finally, sprinkle each mini pizza with a touch of Italian seasoning to add that irresistible, familiar aroma.
Step 5: Air Fry to Perfection
Arrange the topped bagel halves in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your fryer, you may need to work in batches so they cook evenly. Air fry for 4–6 minutes, checking after 4 minutes. You’re looking for bubbling cheese and crisp, golden bagel edges—pull them when they hit your personal level of pizza perfection!
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Carefully remove the hot pizza bagels with tongs (that cheese is molten!). Let them cool for a minute or two, which helps the cheese set and saves any burned fingers. Now they’re ready for snacking, sharing, or devouring straight from the basket.
How to Serve Air Fryer Pizza Bagels
Garnishes
Give your Air Fryer Pizza Bagels a restaurant-worthy finish! Sprinkle fresh chopped basil or parsley on top for a pop of color and freshness. A tiny pinch of red pepper flakes or grated Parmesan takes these mini pizzas to the next level.
Side Dishes
Pizza bagels pair perfectly with simple sides. Offer a crisp green salad, crunchy carrot sticks, or a handful of grapes for a balanced lunch or snack. If you’re serving a crowd, add a bowl of marinara sauce for dunking—kids especially love this!
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your Air Fryer Pizza Bagels on a wooden board for a playful “pizza party” look, or arrange them in a spiral on a platter for game day. You can even set up a DIY pizza bagel bar: lay out toppings and let everyone customize their own bagel halves before air frying!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra Air Fryer Pizza Bagels (lucky you!), let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay delicious for up to three days, and make the most satisfying quick snack or lunchbox treat.
Freezing
To freeze, first let the cooked bagel pizzas cool, then wrap each individually in plastic wrap or foil before popping them into a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for up to two months. These are perfect for meal prepping or ensuring you always have a grab-and-go snack at the ready!
Reheating
To reheat, place cold or frozen Air Fryer Pizza Bagels back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–4 minutes. This method keeps the crust toasty and the cheese bubbly—so much better than microwaving (though that works in a pinch, too!).
FAQs
Can I use regular-sized bagels instead of mini ones?
Absolutely! Just slice large bagels into halves and follow the same steps. You may need to adjust the cook time by adding a minute or two, since bigger bagels take a little longer to crisp up and heat through in the air fryer.
What other toppings work well for Air Fryer Pizza Bagels?
Tons of toppings work beautifully—try diced bell peppers, mushrooms, black olives, jalapeños, even leftover roasted veggies or cooked sausage. Let your imagination (and your fridge supplies) inspire your own signature pizza bagels.
Is it possible to make these pizza bagels gluten-free?
Yes, just use your favorite gluten-free mini bagels and verify that your other ingredients are gluten-free. The method and cook time remain the same, so everyone can enjoy this tasty snack.
Can I make these dairy-free or vegan?
Definitely! Use a dairy-free cheese alternative, swap the pepperoni for veggie-friendly toppings, and double-check that your bagels are vegan. The air fryer does a great job melting plant-based cheese, too.
My air fryer basket is small—can I stack the bagels?
For the best results, keep the bagels in a single layer so air can circulate and crisp them properly. If needed, cook them in batches; it’s worth it for that perfect golden-brown finish!
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a quick, customizable snack or want a little homemade pizza magic without the wait, you can’t go wrong with Air Fryer Pizza Bagels. They’re fun to make, even more fun to eat, and always a hit with both kids and grown-ups. Give these a try next time your pizza cravings hit—you just might find your new favorite fast meal!
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Air Fryer Pizza Bagels Recipe
- Total Time: 11 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (8 bagel halves) 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Air Fryer Pizza Bagels are a quick and easy snack that the whole family will love. Crispy bagels topped with sauce, cheese, and pepperoni, all cooked to perfection in the air fryer.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 4 mini plain bagels, sliced in half
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 16 slices of pepperoni (or preferred toppings)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Olive oil spray (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 370°F for 2–3 minutes.
- Prepare Bagels: Lightly spray the cut sides of the bagels with olive oil if desired. Spread pizza sauce over each bagel half.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle mozzarella cheese, top with pepperoni slices, and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
- Cook in Air Fryer: Place bagel halves in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 4–6 minutes until cheese is melted and bagels are golden.
- Serve: Remove and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free bagels for dietary needs.
- Customize with additional toppings like bell peppers, mushrooms, or sausage.
- Great for quick lunches or snacks.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 bagel halves
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 660mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
