Crispy Air Fryer Pizza Bagels Recipe: A Fun Family Favorite

Pizza lovers rejoice – these crispy air fryer pizza bagels will revolutionize your snack game in minutes.

Crunchy exterior meets melted cheese perfection with minimal effort.

Weeknight dinners suddenly become exciting and stress-free.

Simple ingredients transform ordinary bagels into restaurant-quality treats you can whip up quickly.

Cheese, sauce, and toppings create a personalized flavor adventure in your kitchen.

Kids and adults alike will devour these mini pizzas faster than you can say delicious.

Get ready to become the snack hero of your household with this game-changing recipe.

Great Extras for Air Fryer Pizza Bagels

• Pair with Crisp Salad: Toss a light mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette to balance the rich, cheesy pizza bagels and add a fresh, tangy contrast.
• Complement with Cold Beer: Choose a light lager or hoppy IPA that cuts through the heaviness of the pepperoni and melted cheese, refreshing your palate with each sip.
• Match with Zesty Dipping Sauce: Whip up a quick garlic aioli or spicy marinara for an extra flavor punch that elevates the pizza bagel experience and adds exciting depth to each bite.
• Select Sparkling Drink: Grab a cold sparkling water with a slice of lemon to cleanse your palate and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the savory, cheesy snack.

Air Fryer Pizza Bagels: Topping and Sauce Switch-Ups

• Gluten-Free Bagel Swap: Replace traditional bagels with gluten-free bagels for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegetarian Veggie Blast: Swap pepperoni with roasted bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, and spinach for a plant-based version.
• Vegan Cheese Challenge: Use dairy-free mozzarella alternatives made from cashews or almond-based cheese to create a vegan-friendly pizza bagel.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Base: Substitute bagels with cauliflower thins or roasted cauliflower rounds for a lower-carbohydrate option that still delivers incredible pizza flavor.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of bagels for this recipe?

Yes, you can use any bagel variety like whole wheat, plain, everything, or even gluten-free bagels. The recipe works well with different bagel types.

• What if I don't have pepperoni?

No problem! You can substitute pepperoni with other toppings like cooked sausage, ham, chopped vegetables, or keep it vegetarian with just cheese.

• Do I need to grease the air fryer basket before cooking?

No, bagels have enough oil and won’t stick. However, if you’re concerned, you can lightly spray the basket with cooking spray.

• Can kids help make these pizza bagels?

Absolutely! Kids can help spread sauce, sprinkle cheese, and add toppings. Always supervise children around the air fryer to ensure safety.

Pizza Bagels That Crisp Perfectly in the Air Fryer

• Speed Up Snack Time: Whip up delicious pizza bagels in just minutes with an air fryer, perfect for quick hunger fixes.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Kids and adults will love customizing their own pizza bagels with favorite toppings, making mealtime fun and interactive.
• Minimal Cleanup Champion: Using an air fryer means less mess and easier cleaning compared to traditional oven cooking, saving precious time and energy.
• Versatile Ingredient Playground: Swap pepperoni for ham, add vegetables, or experiment with different cheeses to create endless flavor combinations that suit any taste preference.

What You Use For Pizza Bagels In Air Fryer

• Bagels: Crispy foundation for the pizza bagels, plain varieties work best.
• Pizza Sauce, Marinara Sauce: Tangy base that adds moisture and classic pizza flavor.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy, melty topping that provides rich, stretchy texture.
• Mini Pepperoni: Bite-sized meat topping that adds spicy, savory flavor.

• Dried Oregano, Pizza Seasoning: Aromatic herbs that enhance overall pizza-like taste.
• Fresh Basil: Optional garnish that brings bright, fresh herb notes to the dish.

Making Air Fryer Pizza Bagels

Step 1: Warm Up The Air Fryer

Get your air fryer ready by setting the temperature to 375°F.

This ensures your pizza bagels will cook evenly and come out perfectly crispy.

Step 2: Dress The Bagel Bases

Slice your bagels in half and generously spread tomato sauce across each surface.

Make sure to cover the entire bagel for maximum flavor.

Step 3: Create A Cheesy Layer

• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Step 4: Add Tasty Toppings

• Mini pepperoni slices
• Dried oregano
• Pizza seasoning blend

Step 5: Arrange In Air Fryer

Carefully place bagel halves inside the air fryer basket.

Ensure they aren’t touching or overlapping to promote even cooking.

Step 6: Cook To Perfection

Air fry the bagels for 4-5 minutes.

Watch for the cheese to become melted, bubbling, and slightly golden around the edges.

Step 7: Finish With Fresh Herbs

Garnish with fresh basil leaves just before serving.

This adds a bright, aromatic touch to your delicious pizza bagels.

Handy Tips for Air Fryer Pizza Bagels

• Use room temperature cheese for quicker, more even melting across the bagel surface.
• Lightly toast bagel halves before adding sauce to create a crispy base that resists moisture.
• Choose toppings that cook quickly and won't release excess moisture, like pre-cooked meats or thinly sliced vegetables.
• Swap mozzarella with dairy-free cheese alternatives or nutritional yeast for a plant-based version that still delivers great flavor.
• Cut larger bagels into quarters for bite-sized pizza bagels, ideal for appetizers or kids' snacks.

Pizza Bagels – Save for Later and Crisp Back Up

• Store leftover pizza bagels in an airtight container, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Reheat at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until crispy and warm, restoring that fresh-from-the-fryer texture.
• Quickly warm pizza bagels in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, but expect a softer texture compared to air frying.
• Wrap individual bagel halves in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze up to 1 month for future quick meals.

Air Fryer Pizza Bagels Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Crispy, cheesy air fryer pizza bagels deliver quick comfort straight from your kitchen. Melted mozzarella and zesty marinara dance atop golden bagel rounds, promising a delightful snack you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 plain bagels, sliced in half
• 6 ounces (170 grams) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) pizza sauce or marinara sauce
• 1/3 cup mini pepperoni

Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons dried oregano or pizza seasoning

Garnish:

• Fresh basil (optional)

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Instructions

1. Warm the air fryer to a crisp 375°F, preparing it for the pizza bagel transformation.
2. Slice the bagels in half, creating perfect canvas surfaces for the upcoming flavor adventure.
3. Apply a luxurious layer of zesty pizza sauce across each bagel half, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Generously shower the sauce with a blanket of shredded mozzarella, creating a creamy foundation.
5. Strategically arrange mini pepperoni slices across the cheese, distributing them for maximum taste impact.
6. Dust the surface with a delicate sprinkle of dried oregano or pizza seasoning to elevate the flavor profile.
7. Carefully position the bagel halves inside the air fryer basket, maintaining a single layer without overcrowding.
8. Launch the cooking process, allowing the air fryer to work its magic for 4-5 minutes until the cheese transforms into a molten, golden landscape.
9. Once perfectly crisp and bubbling, remove the pizza bagels and optionally crown them with fresh basil leaves for a vibrant finishing touch.
10. Serve immediately while the cheese remains gloriously melted and the bagel edges are delightfully crunchy.

Notes

• Experiment with different bagel types like whole wheat, everything, or gluten-free for varied flavor profiles and dietary needs.
• Keep toppings light to prevent sogginess and ensure crispy edges during air frying.
• Customize with alternative proteins like cooked chicken, ham, or vegetarian sausage crumbles for protein diversity.
• Use parchment paper liners in the air fryer basket to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Lunch
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 660 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg